Standardbred Canada is pleased to announce the winners of four $1,000 bursaries for the 2009 Atlantic Bursary
program.
Samantha LaPierre, 21, of Charlottetown, PEI, Morgan MacInnis, 18, of Summerside, PEI, Nicholas Oakes, 20, of Cornwall, PEI, and Mark Whidden, 21, of Truro, NS will each receive a $1,000 bursary towards their post secondary education for 2009-2010.
Samantha LaPierre, the daughter of a third-generation horseman, has been actively involved in the industry since age six. In her second year of psychology at the University of Prince Edward Island, she still finds time to frequent the races and introduce many of her friends to the sport.
Morgan MacInnis, a former Gold Cup Ambassador, is in her first year at UPEI where she is completing her Bachelor of Arts. Her parents are both avidly involved in the industry and Morgan has been very involved with the family stables.
Nicholas Oakes is studying journalism at Holland College and has extensive family roots in the industry. Nicholas has his trainer’s and driver’s licenses and worked as a groom for Ron Matheson and Earl Smith. If his name looks familiar, you’ve probably read some of his articles in Trot Magazine, The Canadian Sportsman, and the Harness Edge.
Mark Whidden, a fourth-year actuarial science student at the University of Waterloo, started grooming last year for Fred Saunders while also filling in his summer by following the great Somebeachsomewhere from track to track. Whidden also works on the grandstand side at Truro Raceway in the summers, charting and videotaping races and assisting with events.
The bursaries were awarded based on participation in the industry, academics and financial need. Applicants were also required to submit a typewritten essay addressing 'how you would market harness racing to youth.'
Partners from the Atlantic Provinces include the Prince Edward Island Harness Racing Industry Association, the Nova Scotia Harness Racing Industry Association, Horse Racing New Brunswick, the horse people from New Brunswick, and the 'Stretch Drive Fund,' a fund created by the Maritime Provinces Harness Racing Commissions race officials.
Standardbred Canada and all of the partners from the Atlantic Provinces would like to extend their thanks to all of the students who submitted applications for bursaries.