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OkillLiving LIVING EDITOR: ANGELA BLACKBURN Phone: 905-337-5560 Fax: 905-337-5571 e-mail: ablackburn@oakvillebeaver.com May Court scholarships a feather in their capince it was born in 1956,Oakville's May Court ClubShas made it a priority tosupport educational pursuits thats why it holds its annual Cap & Gown fundraising dinner.While the scholarship pro-gram of this local volunteer womens club branch is rigour-ous, it also has heart.Recipient students must be high achievers, but they must also need some help.For 30 years this volunteer womens organization has pro-vided educational assistance to FEATHER IN THEIRdeserving students who needCAP:At left, May Court Clubfinancial help with post second-of Oakville Scholarshipary education. Committee members GailSince 1994, it has funded 261 Hannigan, Patricia Rosso andstudents with more thanLynn Heersink at the May Court$289,250 to assist with their postClub of Oakville's Cap & Gownsecondary education.Dinner. Above, Patty Hnatiw,Last year alone, the club gave scholarship chair. MICHELLE SIU / OAKVILLE BEAVERout $54,250 to support 28deserving Oakville high school The procedures used for choosing scholar-As a means of supporting its scholarship bravely shared her personal story, said Hnatiw.students and eight other students ship recipients are thorough, compassionate program, the club has held a fundraising din-Nancy Ansett, a guidance counsellor atin their second, third and fourth year of study.and professional. ner for the last five years. Iroquois Ridge High School also shared her The May Courts Scholarship program sup-Information about the clubs scholarshipThe dinner is the major fundraiser for theperspective of the impact of the May Courtports all nine public high schools in Oakville program is available online and through school important program.Scholarship Program and the high esteemand its criterion for choosing students isguidance offices. Students can apply by fillingThis year, the sixth annual May Court Club in which she and her peers hold the program.unique.out an extensive application. of Oakvilles Cap and Gown Scholarship We live in an age where everyone is look-It doesnt just support students with the These are reviewed and all students meetingDinner was held at Otellos Banquet anding closely at their charitable donations highest grades.the clubs criteria are then personally inter-Conference Centre on Thursday, Feb. 10 and and particularly the administration costs of Students must be able to get into the postviewed by the May Court Scholarship was a sell-out that attracted 120 guests andorganizations vying for a share of everyonessecondary school of their choice, but in addi-Committee. raised $46,000.charitable budget. The May Court Club of tion, they must also demonstrate that theyThis is a huge commitment but results A highlight of the evening was speaker Oakville has no administration costs. Everyhave more than average financial need and a in truly informed decisions. The personal sto-Tashia Petker, a graduate of Iroquois Ridge dollar we raise goes directly to the cause instrong commitment to the community (eitherries of these students are sometimes gut High School who is currently enrolled atthis case the scholarship program, saidthe community at large or their school com-wrenching and always heart warming butMcMaster University in Life Sciences.Hnatiw.munity) through their volunteer work.the decision making is never easy. The commit-It was the opportunity to listen to one of Anyone wishing to do so can still contributeMay Courts Scholarship Program is alsotee always wishes they had more money so theythe student recipients tell her story and get a to the program by visiting www.maycourt.ca. unique in that students can continue to receive could do more to help. With the rising cost of first-hand understanding of the importance of a Scholarships for this years students will be support for up to four years of post-secondary tuition, the need is great, said Patti Hnatiw,May Court Scholarship in her life. There awarded in May. A tax receipt is issued for alleducation.scholarship chair, in a press release.wasnt a dry eye in the house when Tashia donations.Rays of Peace to cope with mental illness and addictionThe first annual Rays of Peace: Community rays of peace to others grieving such a loss.by Paul Ivany the Bronte Harbour Yacht Club, 2514 LakeshoreMemorial will be held on April 15 at the Bronte The memorial will remember those who diedand Ann Rd. W.Harbour Yacht Club.due to the effects of mental illness or addiction.Coburn, time Due to limited space, registration is requestedIt will honour the memory of Michael Ray One in five Canadians experience some formfor reflection by contacting raysofpeacememorial@gmail.Maurizio (Jabalee) who died by suicide in 2008 at of mental illness in their life. One in 10 Canadiansand sharing com. There will be a charge of $10 per person.age 25, after many years of struggling with men-experience some form of addiction. And someand refresh-Anyone who has lost a loved one due to thetal illness. die due to the effects of these diseases. ments. effects of mental illness or addictions is invited toProceeds will support the Halton Suicide For example, 90 per cent of people who die byThe memo-attend. Prevention Coalition and the Schizophrenia suicide have a diagnosable psychiatric illness andrial event will Participants may share their memory bySociety of Ontario. 47,000 Canadian deaths are linked to substancetake place e-mailing a photo and six key words to describeMichaels family hopes to honour Michael abuse annually.from 6:30-the person to raysofpeacememorial@gmail.Mike Ray Maurizio (Jabalee)and share a memorial service to provide some The event will feature a memorial service led9:30 p.m. at com.www.insideHALTON.com OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, March 4, 2011 12