22 Medicine Hat students receive Chief Gord Earl Leadership Scholarship

“Our dad was so passionate about youth,” says Denise Earl, Chief Earl’s oldest daughter. “So, to be able to recognize future leaders in our community through this scholarship means so much to our family.”

The scholarships are administered through the Community Foundation of Southeastern Alberta in partnership with the Medicine Hat Police Service and the Earl family. They are handed out to grade six students every year to recognize future leaders.

One student from each Medicine Hat elementary school receives the award and students are nominated by their teachers. If there is more than one nominee, the administration selects the winner.

“Teachers see those little things that they’re doing,” says Earl. “I was listening to some of those teacher nominations and they’re phenomenal. It’s really great to have them step up and do that for those students.”

Ayla Johnson, a grade six student at Crestwood School, is one recipient of the award this year. She says leadership is something she tries to display in all areas of her life.

“I’m from a family of six, so I have three younger siblings,” says Johnson. “It’s good to be a leader at home to set an example for them, and for younger kids at my school.”

Johnson hopes this recognition inspires others at her school to show leadership in their lives.

“I hope they feel like, ‘well, she made a difference so maybe I can too’,” says Johnson, who says she learned her leadership qualities from her parents and her teachers.

Each scholarship recipient receives a certificate from the Medicine Hat Police Service, a gift card to Dairy Queen and a cheque for $100.

Johnson is planning on putting her scholarship cheque towards her car fund, something she has already started saving for.

The Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) hands out the awards and puts on the award ceremony with the help of the Medicine Hat Safe Community Association, the Medicine Hat Police Association, and the Community Foundation of Southeastern Alberta.

Sgt. Adam Gregory with MHPS hopes handing out the award at the end of grade six will give students of all grades an extra incentive heading in the new school year.

“What a big step and a great boost at the end of their school year to be going into junior high,” says Gregory. “I would hope the younger kids that are coming up in grade five see this and they see their peers and siblings getting recognized, and that encourages them to work hard in school and just be a great person overall.”

Gregory adds the ability to gather as a community is an added bonus to the scholarships, especially after holding the ceremony virtually last year.

“This gives us a chance to come together in person and recognize each other,” says Gregory. “We’re so lucky to have this initiative in place that brings us together and puts the focus back on our youth.”

“We love to be able to be here,” adds Earl. “To be able to recognize the youth and carry on the legacy that our dad built.”

by Meghan Cobb

22 Medicine Hat students receive Chief Gord Earl Leadership Scholarship

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