Guelph native and University of Guelph student Alicia Denoon has been granted a prestigious Terry Fox Humanitarian Scholarship.
The 19-year-old John F. Ross high school grad was one of this year's recipients, which recognizes students entering post-secondary education who have made an outstanding contribution to voluntary community service.
The award includes up to $28,000 in scholarship funds for the recipient over the course of their post-secondary schooling.
Denoon was one of 19 recipients from over 600 applicants across the country.
Denoon, a childhood brain tumour survivor, is a competitive swimmer who has competed for the Guelph Marlins and at the Canada Summer Games and the Para Pan Am Games.
She has also been involved in several cancer awareness and fundraising campaigns, including a coin drive for Ronald McDonald House that raised $3,000 and being at the forefront of John F. Ross's highly successful ten4ten cancer fundraising campaign that this year alone raised $30,000 at her school.
"Personally, I strive to teach, guide, and lead those who are in need and inspire them with my story as to make theirs legendary," Denoon wrote in her application for the award.
"Humanitarianism is a passion for me, which has been demonstrated through my efforts in fundraising for other children and families affected by cancer."
This past summer she worked at Camp Trillium as a lifeguard, instructor and counsellor.
She is studying business at the U of G and hopes to apply that knowledge to future awareness and fundraising efforts upon graduation.
The Terry Fox Humanitarian Award Program was established by the Federal government in 1982, the year after Terry Fox died.
"Our scholarships are intended to inspire and encourage young Canadians to seek the high ideal that Terry Fox exemplified, through the pursuit of higher education," says the program website.
The award itself reads:
"In recognition of having demonstrated the highest ideals and qualities of citizenship and humanitarian service while in pursuit of excellence in academic, amateur sport, fitness, health, and voluntary community service. In so doing has reflected those ideals of courage, humanitarianism, service and compassion, which Terry Fox embodied."
