PURPOSE
Many young people who have the ability to attend post secondary institutions will not get that opportunity because of limited family resources.  The Rotary Club of Calgary at Stampede Park Stay-In-School Scholarship Fund is designed to provide financial support for some of these students.  In addition to the winners, we believe that all Grade 8 students attending Sherwood and St. John XXIII schools have been motivated by the program to consider a post-secondary education. Improved morale of teachers, and a greater awareness by parents of educational opportunities available to their children, is also an outcome of the program.

 

THE FUND

The Rotary Club of Calgary at Stampede Park and Richardson GMP provided the initial funding for the program and our club continues to support the program financially. However, the program has received substantial support from non-Rotarians as well.  In 2005, Mr. Donald Gray President of Peyto Energy and Mr. Grant Smith of the Petrie Foundation donated funds to the program. In addition to the generous support from individuals, the Rotary Club of Calgary at Stampede Park holds a Charity Golf Tournament every year in July to add to our investment account. Supreme Windows was our golf tournament’s major sponsor. The proceeds annually have been in excess of $150K.  As of July 2021, the program does not require financial support from the golf tournament as the program is now solvent and self-sustaining.
 
The scholarship funds are now managed by Mawer Investment and Management Ltd. and overseen by the Rotary Club of Calgary at Stampede Park Board and the Steering Committee of the Rotary Club of Calgary at Stampede Park.  At present the fund is worth close to $5M.  We have reached our final goal, and the fund is now solvent and sustainable. The scholarship is $32K ($8K) per year for 4 years at any post-secondary institution.
 

 STUDENT SELECTION

Two students: one boy and one girl, are chosen from each of our selected schools. Student’s selection is based on the following requirements:
  • Complete the requirements to enter Grade 8.
  • Attend a public, separate, or charter school in the Province of Alberta
For Grade 8 through 12:
  • Must complete the requirements to enter a post-secondary educational institution.
  • Must maintain a consistent level of achievement.
The candidate for the scholarship must complete an application form.  All applicants will have their application screened by a committee of Rotarians who will compile a short-list for the interviews. Interviews are conducted by members of the selection committee of Rotarians. Both the student and the parent(s) are in attendance for the interviews.  When the recipients are chosen, they are introduced/recognized to the Rotary Club of Calgary at Stampede Park at a special luncheon usually held in late May of each year.

 

MENTORING

The students selected for the program are assigned a mentor (usually a Rotarian), who guides them throughout the process until they graduate from a post-secondary institution.  This process ensures that the students continue to obtain decent grades/marks and keep focused on remaining in school.
 

 CONCLUSION

Since the inception of the program in the year 2000 to the present we have had seventy (70) students participating in the Stay-in-School Program – 21 have successfully graduated.  The success of the program can be attributed to those who have donated generously to the fund, and to the substantial number of volunteers, especially the mentors, who give their time living up to Rotary’s motto of “Service Above Self”.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information please contact us:  stayinschool@rotarycs.org