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First recipients of the Finning Canada Spotlight on STEM Awards announced

Last Updated Feb 11, 2020 at 10:13 am MDT

PHOTO. Supplied. Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta. L-R: Nanase Tonda, Girls Inc. Executive Director, Carolyn Spence, Kaylen Young, Tony Mankowski, General Manager, Oil Sands, Finning Canada

Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta and Finning Canada have announced the first recipients of the Finning Canada Spotlight on STEM Awards.

The awards are given to women in their first year of a post-secondary school science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) program.

Carolyn Spence and Kaylen Young will each receive $1,000 from Finning.

Spence is in her first year studying nursing at Keyano College and said she hopes to use her skills to give back to the community.

“The Northern Lights Health Centre of Fort McMurray has provided excellent care for members of my family. The standards of care that I have personally observed taking place here have made a major contribution to my choice to become a nurse so that I have the opportunity to become part of a profession that embodies the attribute of compassionate care while also providing for our community.”

Before nursing school, Spence obtained her private pilot license and hopes to complete her commercial pilot’s license to combine her passions of aviation and health care.

Young plans to attend the University of Saskatchewan studying a Bachelor of Science majoring in Biology

She’s still deciding between a career in medicine or environmental science.

She said that as a child she was an introvert and often observed the people around her and notes the Leader in Me program as the beginning of her volunteerism.

“My continuous efforts to volunteer encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone and volunteer in my community. Alongside many strong and independent women, I worked arduously to pursue my values and expand my understanding of people and society.”

She added that volunteering at a local church organization and soup kitchen also had a great impact on her.

Along with these scholarships, Finning Canada has pledged $5,000 a year for the next three years to help Girls Inc. deliver its Operation S.M.A.R.T. Program.