Two students from Pelham are getting a little bit of financial help with their post-secondary school education thanks the Municipal Retirees Organization Ontario (MROO).
The students — Megan Metler, who is studying Integrated Science, specializing in biology at Western University, and Abbey Rittner, who is studying Forensic Science at Trent University — were each awarded a scholarship of $3,000. The scholarships were part of $100,000 in funds handed out to 30 students across the province.
Metler was surprised.
“I was just sitting in my room, and I got home from a mid-term and I opened (the letter), and it was amazing,” she said. “I honestly didn't think I’d won because it was a while since I applied. I kind of like, forgot about it for a bit.”
Metler, who went to high school at Notre Dame College Secondary School in Welland and was an occasional freelance contributor to the Voice of Pelham during that time, thinks it was her essay that put her over the top and helped earn her the scholarship.
“I worked really hard throughout the summer to perfect it and explain my goals for the future and everything that I'm working towards here at Western so I think that was definitely something that set me apart.”
Metler said she hasn’t quite decided what her future is just yet, although she’s been looking into medical school or some kind of medical research.
“Something science-related, something that I can help people with,” Metler said. “I'm still trying to work out exactly what I want to do.”
All recipients are family members of current MROO members. Scholarships were awarded in each of MROO’s nine zones with recipients determined based on the number of applicants
and specific eligibility criteria, including the student’s leadership skills, volunteer experience, and commitment to making a difference in their communities.
“We are delighted to support and encourage the next generation of leaders,” said Zone 3 Director Tracey Powell. “We do our best to support our MROO members and their families and hope these MROO scholarships alleviate some of the financial stress.
MROO also awarded the $5,000 Don MacLeod Memorial Award for Leadership to Willow James from LaSalle, Ont., who is currently studying Mental Health Studies, Neuroscience, Biomedical at the University of Toronto. The award honors MROO’s Past-president Don MacLeod and is awarded annually to one exceptional student who shows leadership at school and in their wider community.
“These students were chosen based on their academic achievements and efforts to give back to their communities,” said MROO President Keith Robicheau. “We hope these scholarships will support each recipient in their studies and help them to achieve their academic and future career goals.”
