ADAM JACKSON/Ponoka News
A local high school student is going to have a slightly easier time paying for university in September.
Kiara Kjenner, a Grade 12 student at PCHS, applied for and won a prestigious ATB Financial Young Woman of Vision bursary worth $1000.
“It’s great, it’ll really help out with tuition,” said Kjenner.
The 17-year-old will be attending Grant MacEwan University in the fall to pursue a degree in business.
The award, which is directed toward young women with strong leadership skills in the business field, was presented to Kjenner at a luncheon held in Edmonton by representatives of ATB Financial.
“It worked out nicely, I got to thank a lot of the representatives in person, but I still sent them a thank you letter as well,” said Kjenner.
In order to win the award, Kjenner had to write an essay about her leadership to be judged by ATB.
“My educational and career goals are aimed towards earning a job that makes me happy while still making a steady income to one day support a family of my own,” said Kjenner in the essay she submitted.
After working as a caterer for three years, Kjenner met many event planners, good and bad, and decided that was the career she wanted to pursue.
“I realized, ‘I like catering, but I hate food.’ But being behind the scenes was really cool,” she said.
Kjenner credits her bursary to being involved in the local 4-H club, which helped her build leadership and public speaking skills.
The luncheon included speeches by numerous successful women, from play therapists to an Olympic gold medalist.
“It was really inspiring to hear their stories,” said Kjenner.