RTAM’S Legacy – The Student Award Program

RTAM’S LEGACY –

THE STUDENT AWARD PROGRAM

Peggy Prendergast, Student Awards Committee Chair

RTAM has an important role to play supporting our young relatives. RTAM is leaving a “Legacy of Learning” for our children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. As has been noted in the past and on our website: www.rtam.mb.ca, the RTAM Endowment Fund, located at the Winnipeg Foundation, awards four $1000 awards to Grade 12 graduates who are relatives of an RTAM member. This fund is growing exponentially and has doubled the value of its rewards over the past eight years. There are directions available on the website for you, as RTAM members, to add to that fund with a tax-deductible donation at any time; possibly in memory of a loved one or as part of your will. The larger and quicker the fund grows the more our young relatives will benefit.

The criteria stated on the RTAM Student Award application embodies the values retired teachers feel are important to those students seeking post graduate education: scholarship, community and school involvement as well as being sponsored by a relative, an RTAM member. We have all benefitted from post graduate education in our past. As the daughter of a World War two veteran and encouraged by a young high school teacher, who had just recently returned from the war, and finished his own post-secondary education as a Chemistry teacher, I was encouraged to apply for scholarships that were established for veteran’s children. I did not know then what I know now - the money allowed me to attend University, but the self-confidence gained from the experience, as a result of the encouragement of that teacher and my family, have lasted a lifetime. As retired teachers I encourage each of you to do the same for one of your relatives if and when you get the chance.

This year the Student Awards Committee will be reading and evaluating 58 applications from grade 12 graduates sponsored by RTAM members. These students come from all parts of the province with different goals for their post graduate education. Each has someone like you as a sponsor wanting the best education possible for them and encouraging them to reach out for that education. The benefit for you, the older adult, is the relationship that will evolve as you engage with and strengthen your connection with that student. I know, because I have had the opportunity to sponsor one of my grandsons. He did not win the award but we now have a closer relationship because of my concrete interest in his education and now his chosen career. That benefit for me is both ongoing and priceless. n