Nine students across Manitoba have been awarded the Centennial Entrance Scholarship to further their studies in the U of M’s faculty of agricultural and food sciences.
The scholarship is awarded to high school graduates looking to pursue a diploma or degree program in the faculty.
The scholarship was established 20 years ago to commemorate the faculty of agricultural and food sciences centennial anniversary, established originally in 1906 as the Manitoba Agricultural College.
Each year, the university offers Centennial Entrance Scholarships worth $2,000 to high school students with a passion for shaping the future of the agricultural sector in Manitoba.
To be eligible, students must apply for admission to the U of M, complete courses required for admission into the university from a Manitoba high school, submit a resume, a transcript with their most recent marks and a personal reference letter.
Students are also required to submit a 700-word essay explaining how they intend to advance the agriculture and food industry in the province based on their decision to pursue further education in the sector.
Two students recognized through the 2024 Centennial Entrance Scholarship, Laura Delichte and Ava Dueck, shared their personal stories and their dedication to strengthening rural communities in Manitoba.
For Laura Delichte, who is pursuing a diploma in agriculture, the connection between farming and finances is personal.
According to UM Today, Delichte explained that growing up on her family’s sixth-generation dairy and grain farm near St. Alphonse, Manitoba, she saw firsthand the critical role financial management plays in a farm’s success.
A major renovation to her family’s dairy barn highlighted the importance of strategic decision-making, sparking her interest in agricultural finance and lending.
“Farms are businesses no matter their history, structure or output,” Delichte said to UM Today.
“Guiding farmers to make the best decisions so that they can transfer their farm to the next generation is a way to create a stable industry. I want to help guide farmers so that they make the best decision for them, their family and their farm.”
While Delichte is focused on supporting farmers with financial guidance, Ava Dueck, a bachelor of science in agriculture (animal systems) degree student from Winnipeg has an interest in veterinary studies.
“When looking at the complex field of animal systems, I find there is infinite room for inquiry — from the intricate relationships within animal ecosystems to the nutritional and genetic areas,” said Dueck to UM Today.
The 2024 Centennial Entrance Scholarship recipients are Laura Delichte, Ava Dueck, Maria Gundrum, Alara Krahn, Emilyn Nestibo, Molly Sanders, Kadyn Smart, Serena Valdez-Soc and Skylar Winters.
