A recent consultation with the local experts on what attracts students to university has provided administrators at Thompson Rivers University with some youthful insight as they work toward completing an academic plan.

Destination TRU presentations have earned 12 local secondary school students each a scholarship, an iPad and Smart Boards for Westsyde, NorKam and Valleyview Secondary schools.

Earlier this fall, area high-school students were asked to help TRU develop a national profile and engagement strategy aimed at attracting and retaining students from outside Kamloops and the Interior.

After presentations and deliberations, the top teams were selected by TRU student judges: Dasha Moryakova, TRUSU President, and Co-op students Joshua Lasta and Kate Beauchamp. Each team member received received his or her prizes and words of praise from university administrators at a reception in the IB Building.

“These students all did some excellent research for their presentations,” Dr. Uli Scheck, TRU Provost and Vice President Academic, told the parents and principals on hand at the award reception in the International Building. “From their youthful perspective, TRU has a good sense of what secondary students are looking for at university and we heard some very feasible ideas as well.”

The winning team from Westsyde Secondary

The winning team from Westsyde Secondary focused on developing a Kinesiology Program at TRU. Taylor-Rae Harvey, Julie McNutt, Nastassja Nielsen-Ruddell and Lena Pendlebury also received a $2,000 TRU scholarship.

NorKam earned second place with their presentation focusing on developing a mentorship program on campus, run by TRU students and administered by the faculty of business. Students Kavi Bal, Kristen Lang, Eric Esslinger and Krysta Sowden also received a $1,000 TRU scholarship each.

The third presentation by Valleyview students by Marielle Saayman, Nikkita Peters, Maggie McLeod, and Courtney Hawkins focused on coordinatig a committee to bring students, faculty and other department heads together to create a campus wide social experience for all TRU students. Each earned a $500 scholarship.