KAMLOOPS – Getting a major award wasn’t even in Ann Scott’s sights when she enrolled in TRU’s Social Service Worker certificate course after years away from the classroom; she was worried about just getting through the program she enrolled in after injuries from a car accident forced a career change.
A former dental assistant who worked in the Lower Mainland and her home town of Kamloops for 16 years, Scott entered the classroom with more than a little trepidation.
“I was very nervous about coming back to school; it certainly wasn’t in my big plan, what I saw myself doing in my life. It was kind of intimidating, but needless to say, it turned out differently from what I expected,” she said, after being told she was the 2006 winner of the Lieutenant-Governor’s silver medal, awarded to a student in a one-year post-secondary program who demonstrates both high marks and community service.
“It was an honour to be nominated and very nice to have my efforts recognized,” said Scott of the award. “I really tried to do well. I might have overcompensated a bit because I was worried about succeeding at all.”
Now in the second year of TRU’s two-year Child and Youth Care diploma program, having received full credit for the first year due to her completion of the Social Service Worker certificate, Scott is taking things a bit easier.
“I worked really hard on my certificate work, and sacrificed time with my family to get good grades,” explained the wife and mother of two school-aged sons, aged nine and twelve. “Now I’ve found a better balance between school and home life.”
Scott, whose father, Joe Turkenburg, was one of the founding instructors of TRU’s Culinary Arts program (then Cariboo College’s Cook Training program), had some advice for university students, whether just out of high school or, like her, mature students returning after many years away from school.
“It’s important to get involved with campus life,” she said. “It makes your time as a student much more enjoyable.”
An active volunteer, Scott has given of her time to campus initiatives like the TRU Peer Support Team, the TRU Appeal Committee, the TRU Student Leadership Program, and as a class representative for both her certificate and now her diploma programs. She has also volunteered in the community, working as a court worker for the Elizabeth Fry Society and designing an information brochure for visiting international students enrolled in schools within School District #73.
Scott receives her medal at TRU’s Donor Awards ceremony at 5 pm Nov. 23, when she will also be presented with a Rotary Daybreak award.
For more information, please contact Ann Scott at 250-377-3480.
