The 2009 Moving Lives Forward Scholarship was a great success this year.  This year we broke all records with the number of applications received. In total we received over 25 applications, all of them from very qualified individuals from all over the province. It was a very difficult decision to narrow it down and choose just 3 but our Awards Committee did an  excellent job.

An award of $1000.00 was given to each of the 3 winners for 2009.  They are Sheena    Tremeer of Saskatoon, Chris Kambeitz of Weyburn and Joanne Maisoneauve-Speers of Martensville.

Sheena Tremeer’s goal is to become a Music Therapist.  She is currently enrolled at the    U of S in Saskatoon taking her prerequisite classes in order to attend Capillano University in Vancouver, BC. Sheena says that she loves music and wants to share it with other people to have a positive impact on peoples lives. She says it has helped her to grow and cope with life and wants to assist others to be able to do the same.

Chris Kambeitz is currently enrolled at the Kelsey SIAST campus in Saskatoon and is    taking his Heavy Equipment and Truck Transport Technician Certificate. Chris has been quite involved with the Canadian Mental Health Association in Weyburn and has, through them, and working with his family on the farm, realized again a life long interest in mechanics. He says that having a mental illness has been a challenging and humbling experience and is very excited at having been accepted into this SIAST program.

Joanne Maisonneuve-Speers is currently enrolled  in the Bachelor of Arts Program at the University of Saskatchewan.  She is a single mom majoring in Sociology and Psychology. Joanne’s goal is to work in the area of transitioning to employment, delivering life skills and community liaison work.  Joanne currently holds a Life Skills Coach certificate from Assiniboine Community College in Brandon.  With these classes she is well on her way to accomplishing her goal. She says that her decision to move from the back of the classroom to the front again excites her and gives her the opportunity to give back armed with knowledge of mental health issues, overcoming stigma, managing illness and implementing coping skills in daily life.

To each of this years winners of the scholarship we say congratulations and wish you the best with your goals and dreams. You were all very deserving of the scholarship!

Thanks to Eli Lilly Pharmaceuticals for their donation of $3000.00 again this year.  Their ongoing support of this scholarship over the years has helped many people with their    educational goals.