Unused scholarship funds from the Reg Thurston Memorial Scholarship, and a decision on how these funds will be handled, was up for discussion by Wheatland County council members during the regular Tuesday, April 20 council meeting.
A total of $8,270.91 has been held in trust by the county since the scholarship was established in 2003; however, these funds have remained unused since 2007.
“Auditors have asked to look into two unused scholarship funds,” said general manager of Corporate and Financial Services Tracy Buteau during the meeting. “The school division (Golden Hills School Division) has recommended contacting the principal at Wheatland Crossing school to award scholarships and awards.”
Reg Thurston spent more than two decades serving both Wheatland County and school board--in the position of Reeve and Deputy Reeve of the county, and Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the school board. The memorial scholarship was established in 2003 to honour his commitment and dedication to education and his municipality.
The student with the highest blended mark for English 30, Social Studies 30, Mathematics 30, and a science-either Chemistry 30, Physics 30, or Biology 30-was to be awarded with a $100 scholarship and plaque every June following diploma examinations.
Due to a miscommunication between the school district and Wheatland County, the scholarship has not been awarded since 2007.
“This is a great way to honour Mr. Thurston’s legacy of service,” Wheatland County Reeve Amber Link said during final discussions.
Council unanimously voted in favour to transfer the unused scholarship funds to Wheatland Crossing and to increase the scholarship amount to $500.
