Lethbridge County students awarded $8,500 in post-secondary funding

Sunny South News Photo submitted. BURSARY PRESENTATION: Ethan Honess received $1,500 towards his post-secondary studies presented by Lethbridge County Reeve Campbell.

Lethbridge County

Local students have been awarded $8,500 in funding for their post-secondary studies through two programs facilitated by Lethbridge County.

In its sixth year, Lethbridge County’s annual Post-Secondary Bursary Program saw three students awarded $1,500 each. Ava Okubo, studying Engineering at the University of Calgary, Anna Campmans, studying Communications at MacEwan University and Ethan Honess, studying Agricultural Business at Lethbridge Polytechnic, were selected by council as the recipients.

“I am deeply appreciative to have been selected for the Lethbridge County Bursary. Being recognized for my hard work, while also funding my post-secondary education is incredibly meaningful to me,” said Okubo.  

“Receiving this means a great deal to me. It will allow me to pursue my education and make the most of the opportunities presented to me,” said Campmans. 

Criteria for this program includes being a county resident, having a record of outstanding academic achievement and a high degree of involvement in volunteerism or community organizations. Applicants were required to submit an essay outlining their high school careers as well as their plans for the future.

“Thank you to the donors and selection committee for believing in my potential and providing financial opportunity. I am truly grateful to get your support in this chapter of my education,” said Honess. “This scholarship will reduce the financial burdens that come with attending college and will inspire me to strive for excellence in the agriculture business.”

Two students were awarded $2,000 each under the Community Benefit Scholarship, now in its second year. Cherise Overeem, studying biochemistry at University of Lethbridge and Kobe Urasaki, studying Mechanical Engineering Technology at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, were selected as the 2025 recipients.

“I am truly honoured to be selected for this scholarship from Lethbridge County.  It means the world to me to have support from where I have been lucky to call home for my entire life,” said Urasaki.  

The program is a collaboration between the county and Potentia Renewables Inc. Stirling Wind Project, with the latter providing the funding. Applicants were required to be current high-achieving high-school students planning to further their studies in the field of Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) within the following year.

“I am deeply honoured and grateful to have been selected for this generous award from Lethbridge County. Local support for education and innovation is extremely valuable, and I look forward to benefiting the community in return by putting my education to good use,” said Overeem.   

The county strongly encourages residents to consisder applying for these programs in the spring once applications are available for the 2026 intake. 

More information is available at http://www.lethcounty.ca