Rachel’s Kids awards bursaries to local volunteers

Cornwall Ontario — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cornwall and District presented two new post-secondary students with bursaries to help them with the costs of their education. The bursaries are awarded each year on behalf of Rachel’s Kids to a BBBS Little Brother and Little Sister who have shown academic excellence, school involvement and community volunteerism.

“We are very proud of both of these students, who have shown great initiative and community involvement,” said BBBS Executive Director Amanda Brisson. “We look forward to seeing more great things from them in the future.”

Amanda Derouchie of St. Joseph’s Secondary School was the recipient of a $2000 bursary. Amanda is attending Trent University in the Bachelor of Science in Biology program beginning September 2015. Amanda is interested in pursuing a career in either medical research or nursing. She is the Little Sister of Carolin McCourt and has been an active volunteer in the community.

Brandon Lascelle was the recipient of a $1000 bursary from Rachel’s Kids to help towards his education at La Cite in Ottawa. Brandon is attending the Police Foundations program in September of 2015 and hopes to eventually become an RCMP officer. Brandon is a Little Brother who gives back by volunteering often for Big Brothers Big Sisters and just recently has become a Big Brother mentor himself.

BBBS ‘Littles’ who receive bursaries from Rachel’s Kids are selected through a rigorous application process held during the summer months. Rachel’s Kids is a registered non-profit organization founded by local dentist Dr. Rachel Navaneelan and helps children in need- both locally and internationally- through aid, educational initiatives, scholarships and building schools.