William Dale
Published online July 1, 2026, at www.pontiacjournal.com
SHAWVILLE – Pontiac Bursaries hosted its annual awards evening on Tuesday, June 23, at Dr. S.E. McDowell Elementary School, celebrating 36 local students pursuing post-secondary education this fall. Each recipient received a $1,000 bursary, representing a $36,000 investment in local students.
“We are quite happy with the numbers,” said committee president Robert Pelletier, noting applications came from as far as Gatineau and Chapeau. “Over the last four years, we’ve handed out 34, 37, 40 and now 36. It’s been a great run for the organization.”
The coordination behind the annual awards evening and the large volume of applications is managed entirely by a dedicated group of local volunteers. Working alongside Pelletier are committee members France Lamarche, Jennifer Dubeau, Monique Lavigne, Lynne Lavery, Denis Rossignol and Jaime Christie-Stewart.
The $1,000 bursaries are supporting a wide range of academic paths across Quebec and Ontario. According to committee data, this year’s recipients are entering programs in Practical Nursing, Social Service Work and Pre-Hospital Emergency Care. Technical fields and trades are also well represented, with students enrolled in Auto Mechanics, Electronics Engineering Technology, Architecture and Urban Forestry. At the university level, bursaries are supporting studies in Law, Economics, Education, Environmental Biology and a master’s in Physiotherapy.
One recipient expressed appreciation in a handwritten thank-you card:
“I am so incredibly grateful for all the hard work, planning, and organizing
this committee does to help students like me go to school. Your support truly makes a massive difference in my life.”
The evening’s guest speaker was 1995 bursary recipient Dr. Charlene Young, who graduated from Pontiac High School before building a career in scientific research. Young earned a PhD in immunology, conducted viral research and has spent the past 15 years with Health Canada overseeing vaccine safety. She has also worked with the World Health Organization on global health initiatives. Despite her international career, Young chose to return home to raise her three children in Luskville.
“I started in Luskville, and receiving this bursary in 1995 really fostered my love for science and enabled me to pursue a full, rewarding career.”
Photo:Thirty-six bursary recipients display their certificates during the Pontiac Bursaries annual awards evening at Dr. S.E. McDowell Elementary School on Tuesday, June 23, 2026.
