Metis students to receive Millennium scholarships

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Terrilyn Dallyn of Meadow Lake and Chelsie Scragg of Saskatoon will be receiving some financial assistance when they begin their post-secondary educations this fall, thanks to the Canadian Millennium Scholarship Foundation.

Each year the foundation distributes $340 million in scholarships and bursaries as a way to recognize outstanding high school students and encourage them to pursue post-secondary studies.

The two Saskatchewan students were among those chosen to receive Millennium Awards for Excellence for 2006. Dallyn was one of 100 students from across the country selected to receive a Millennium Excellence Award at the national level, while Scragg is one of 23 students in the province chosen to receive an award at the local level.

Eighteen-year-old Dallyn admitted that applying for the award was time consuming but "it was really rewarding in the end."

"It's so surprising that a person never expects to be rewarded for planning and organizing activities or even volunteering time towards organizations," she said. "The reward is so amazing and unexpected."

Dallyn has helped organize fundraisers for a number of charities, including the Terry Fox Foundation, the Kinsmen Telemiracle Foundation, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Operation Christmas Child and Tsunami Relief.

Dallyn also volunteered in an after school youth mentoring program operated by high school students who would go into elementary schools and help the kids out with their homework.

"This program was the most meaningful volunteer work that I've done," said Dallyn. "I love working with the kids because they are just full of energy and I noticed that a lot of the kids really enjoyed having the older kids' attention. The way I see it is that if I can even make a difference in one child's life then it's time well spent."

When asked about why she commits so much of herself to various volunteer activities, Dallyn said she's always been kind of a busy person and that helping people is a reward in itself.

"I definitely suggest that younger kids get involved with their community," said Dallyn. "It's meaningful but can be very financially rewarding at the same time."

On top of her volunteer activities, Dallyn also found time to become an entrepreneur. For the past three summers she ran her own lawn care business. From May to October, she would care for approximately 20 lawns.

Dallyn said her business, T.J.'s Lawn Care Service, was a "really good growth opportunity" for her. "It helped me to realize what needs to be done in order to keep a business running."

Now that she will be attending the University of Saskatchewan in the fall, the business will have to take a back seat, as she will need more time for her studies, she said.

Terrilyn Dallyn will be working towards her bachelor of science in kinesiology, then plans to study in either chiropractor or physical therapy.

Through the Millennium Scholarship, Dallyn will receive a cash award of $5,000, which is renewable for up to three years.

"I really want to work towards achieving high grades," she said.

Nineteen-year-old Chelsie Scragg was also recognized for her volunteer activities. Scragg mentored Grade 9 girls and worked with other girls in grades 11 and 12 to come up with ways to help the younger girls have an easier time adjusting to high school.

"We would have bake sales, go for walks, watch movies and play in the gym," said Scragg.

The scholarship award also recognized her work with the Saskatoon Community Foundation's Batting 1,000 Youth Advisory Council. The foundation awards more than $10,000 a year in grants to various charities that support Saskatoon's children and youth.

"The Batting 1,000 is what I think makes the difference," said Scragg. "It helps children to discover new opportunities."

Scragg will receive a cash award of $4,000 that she will use towards her studies at the University of Saskatchewan's College of Arts and Science. Once she obtains her bachelor degree in Natie studies, she plans to apply to the college of law. While she's not sure what type of law she wants to practice, Scragg is considering working on issues affecting Aboriginal people.

"I would like to address poverty issues, social housing, justice, foster care issues, alcohol and other forms of addictions, healing lodges and just any way that I can help the Aboriginal community," Scragg said.

The Millennium Excellence Award is just the latest in a long list of honours Scragg has received in recognition of her achievements. In 2005 she was the recipient of the SaskTel Aboriginal Youth Award of Excellence for community service and a Canadian Aboriginal Youth Bursary from the Canadian Council of Aboriginal Business.

Scragg says that a lot of what she does is inspired by her three-year-old daughter.

"I want to be that role model for her," Scragg said. "By helping myself I'm helping her and her future to come."