Student stars discovered

BY ALBERT KRAMBERGER

The Chronicle

The West Island of Montreal Chamber of Commerce awarded scholarships to 41 deserving young people last Wednesday night in Ste. Anne de Bellevue.

The ninth annual Discover the Stars program, which grants financial support to West Island public high school graduates enrolling in science or technology at the CEGEP level, was held at John Abbott College. Each received $1,000 grants. Two of those — Rebecca Chin, a St. Thomas High School graduate, and Emile Saliba, a graduate from École secondaire Dorval/Jean-XXIII — were also given $3,000 scholarships from the Aileen Proudfoot Memorial Award.

Chin, currently enrolled in sciences at John Abbott, isn’t sure what her plans are for future study after college, but she is considering environmental or food sciences after a couple of tours of McGill University’s Macdonald College in Ste. Anne.

“I think I will save up the scholarship money for university,� the 17-year-old Pointe Claire resident said. “I am very glad and proud I got (the Aileen Proudfoot Memorial Award). When they showed the clips of her, I got teary-eyed.�

Chin was cited for her academic achievement and student body involvement, such as starting up a recycling program at St. Thomas, as well as for her extracurricular activities in high school. She also did volunteer work with children through the Montreal Association for the Blind.

Saliba, a 17-year-old Pierrefonds resident, said he is aiming towards a career in medicine, probably concentrating on oncology, since “it seems interesting.�

He is currently studying pure and applied sciences at CEGEP Gérald-Godin in Ste. Geneviève. He was cited for being president of student council in high school, his extracurricular activities and, of course, for his good marks.

“The scholarship will help a lot since I won’t have to worry about money,� he said. “I can focus on my studies.�

Saliba plans to spend next summer in his native Lebanon to help the war-torn country rebuild after this year’s Israeli- Hezbollah battle.

West Island Community Shares director Caroline Tison headed the Discover the Stars program this year.

“With 41 sponsors, it was a record year,� she said. “It makes a huge difference in the lives of these students. It gives them a break (financially).�

Since 1997, 346 high-school graduates from West Island public schools have shared $391,000 in scholarships in the last nine years, 2006 inclusive. This year, 13 high schools from the two participating school boards — Marguerite-Bourgeoys and Lester B. Pearson — were involved in this event.

Frédéric Tremblay, chief scientist, wind engineering at Newmerical Technologies International and Mario Lépine, president of Aéro Mag 2000 Yul Inc. were the guest speakers. They both shared with the audience their expertise and their vast experience in the world of technology.

For a list of all the scholarship winners, check www.wimcc.ca.">www.wimcc.ca.">www.wimcc.ca.