Minister announces Lester B. Pearson Scholarship winner

Judy Foote, Minister of Education, announced today the winner of the 2002 Lester B. Pearson Scholarship for the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Angela Chaisson, a 17 year old, Level II student of Herdman Collegiate, Corner Brook will receive a scholarship in the amount of $27,000 to attend Lester B. Pearson College of the Pacific in British Columbia. She is the daughter of Dan and Sheila Chaisson.

"I congratulate Angela on receiving the Lester B. Pearson Scholarship recognizing academic excellence and her characteristics as an outstanding young women. The scholarship is the result of hard work and commitment to her studies and her significant involvement within her community, and the continued support and encouragement of her teachers and family," said Minister Foote.

The Department of Education will contribute approximately $50,000 towards the scholarships for the students attending the first year and second year study program at a United World College. These funds contribute to the cost of tuition, books and accommodations.

Lester B. Pearson and the Mahindra United World College are two of eight United World Colleges located throughout the world which are dedicated to the promotion of international understanding by creating an environment in which students from many countries and cultures are brought together to study and serve the community. Students graduate with an International Baccalaureate which is equivalent to first year university at colleges and universities throughout North America.

This year�s winner is among 100 students selected from 86 countries around the world. Ms. Chaisson was selected on the basis of academic achievement and qualities of character made evident in a detailed application and personal interview. The total value of the scholarship is in excess of $50,000, with contributions coming from government, corporations and private citizens.

A selection committee comprising representatives from the Department of Education, the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers� Association, school districts and private industry benefactors participated in the selection process.

The 2000 winner of the Pearson Scholarship, Fran�oise Guigne of Prince of Wales Collegiate, St. John�s, graduates this spring with an International Baccalaureate Diploma. In 2001, a scholarship was awarded to Amy Pieroway, of Pasadena Academy, Pasadena, who will be returning to Pearson in September for her final year. A second scholarship was given in 2001, at no cost to the province, to Logan Wood, of Elwood Regional High, Deer Lake, who will be returning for her final year of studies to the Mahindra United World College in Pune, India.

Media contact: Catherina Kennedy, Communictions, (709) 729-0048.

2002 05 10                           3:40p.m.