More than $93,000 from 135 awards were presented during the College of New Caledonia’s (CNC) annual student awards night on April 9.
“I’d like to congratulate all the students receiving awards,” said CNC President Henry Reiser. “You have each demonstrated an unwavering commitment to your education.”
Often, financial situations can be a barrier to education. Second year nursing student Melissa Wakeman spoke to the crowd about her experience at CNC and thanked all the donors who support students such as herself through these awards.
“Their generosity has contributed in our journey in becoming well-rounded and educated individuals,” she said. “Not only for our future selves but the future for our families and our communities.”
For the first time, CNC’s student awards night featured a donor speaker. With the support of the community, Perry Adey and his family has raised more than $193,000 for student awards and much needed equipment at CNC in memory of his son, Dillon, who passed away in 2009.
Since then, Adey said he has spoken with many students about the financial struggles they face including rent, car payments, tuition, and eating healthily. He has also run into past award-recipients now working in the community who have thanked him for helping their education.
“It makes us proud to see that their career dreams have come true,” he said. “We’re so happy to have played a small role in their success.”