As part of its centennial celebrations last year, Alberta established a $20 million endowment fund which will award 25 annual scholarships of $2,005 to each province and territory year after year, beginning in 2006.

Education Minister Mildred Dover acknowledged the fantastic way in which Alberta chose to celebrate its 100th anniversary as a province in Canada. “Prince Edward Island extends heartfelt appreciation to the province of Alberta for this magnificent gift of education, which is the most important investment we can make in our future as a province and country,” she said.

Recipients of the scholarships must be Canadian students attending Canadian universities, colleges or trades programs. They are chosen by high schools and awarded to students based on merit, leadership and community involvement. Eligible students cannot have received more than $1,000 in other scholarships and bursaries for the academic year that they receive the Alberta scholarship.

The first Prince Edward Island recipients of the $2,005 scholarships are: Nora Chandler, Tyler Crane and Melissa Leard, Montague Regional High School; Rianne Carragher, Mary-Ann Godkin and Mary Beth Younker, Colonel Gray High School; Morgan Ings, Debra Younker, Megan Wasnidge and Jennifer Egan, Charlottetown Rural High School; Janelle Carmichael, Kinkora Regional High School; Rachel Graham, Adam Howatt and Angela Crozier, Three Oaks High School; Kelly Blaisdell, Morell Regional High School; Jiselle Bakker, Adam Loo and Natalie Toombs, Bluefield High School; Denver Clark, Kensington Intermediate Senior High School; Keisha Rose, Souris Regional High School; Jayne Webb, Peter Gaudet and Sarah Stewart, Westisle Composite High School; Janice Poirier, École Évangéline; and Denis Doiron, École François-Buote.