外流影片

by Rachel Cooper (鈥�89)

Katrina Hayes and Leila Beaudet are both successful Acadia students pursuing double majors - Katrina in Sociology and Women鈥檚 and Gender Studies, and Leila in Biology and Environmental and Sustainability Studies. Both have received important financial awards.

They also happen to be mother and daughter.

Katrina鈥檚 awards include the George E. Levy Award in Comparative Religion for excellence in the subject. Her daughter, Leila, is receiving a Walker Wood Scholar-Bursary valued at $5,000 annually for up to four years. The Walker Wood Foundation funds scholarships and bursaries throughout Canada for individuals who have much to offer but may not have the financial means to pursue their educational goals.

鈥淚t is incredible to see the positive impact the scholar-bursaries have on students like Leila,鈥� says Kate Wood, Vice-President, Walker Wood Foundation. 鈥淥ur family strongly believes in the transformational power of higher education, especially for those with the initiative and potential to make a difference not only in their own lives, but in the lives of others.鈥�

Katrina鈥檚 educational journey began at the University of Calgary, where she completed her first year as a mature student. She then applied as a transfer student to Acadia and is thriving here as a student and a Teaching Assistant. Leila, the eldest of her four children, lived at home for her first year but is now a Resident Assistant on campus.

鈥淎s a lone parent with young children, being able to access awards and funding has been very important,鈥� Katrina says. 鈥淚f I had to work as well as study and take care of my family, that would affect my ability to stay in the top tier of my Grade Point Average. Getting good grades is important, because after this degree I plan to do postgraduate work.鈥�

For Leila, the impact of the Walker Wood Scholar-Bursary has been significant. 鈥淚 come from a low-income family, so having that award has definitely relieved the stress of worrying about where I鈥檒l get money to pay for school,鈥� she says.

What鈥檚 it like to be at university as mother and daughter? 鈥淚t鈥檚 a cool experience to share with your daughter,鈥� Katrina says. 鈥淲e鈥檙e able to help each other and support each other.鈥�

Leila agrees. 鈥淚t鈥檚 nice having her nearby,鈥� she says. 鈥淲e connect a lot with our studies. I鈥檓 really proud of her that she was able to get here. It鈥檚 just very special to be able to be here with her at the same time, especially at the same university.鈥�