The United Way Pembina Valley has announced the recipients of its 2025 Youth Scholarship program, recognizing three graduating high school students from Morden and Winkler for their outstanding community service and leadership.
The $1,000 scholarships are awarded annually to one graduate each from Garden Valley Collegiate, Morden Collegiate Institute, and Northlands Parkway Collegiate. This year’s winners are Heidi Reimer (GVC), Sean Aguinaldo (MCI), and Maya Janz (NPC).
“We look at wanting to reward those youth who are wanting to further their education,” said Cathy Sandercock, a member of the United Way Pembina Valley Scholarship Committee. “And we look at not just their grades, but we look at their volunteer and philanthropies, activities they have done in their communities and how they have tried to better their communities.”
She shared that part of the application process includes a written reflection on how each applicant believes they have contributed to their community.
“We were thrilled with the diverse group of applications we received,” Sandercock added. “And the variety of volunteer work that these young people participated in in Winkler and Morden.”
The winners...
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Heidi Reimer, a graduate of Garden Valley Collegiate, stood out for her wide range of volunteer work in both athletics and faith-based service. She served on the GVC student council’s sports committee, coached at Central Energy softball and Winkler Minor Volleyball camps, volunteered as the lead singer in her church’s youth worship program, and joined a mission trip to Queretaro, Mexico. In her application, Reimer wrote, “I believe in hard work and doing the little things to benefit someone else, even if it’s an unappealing job. Showing love for others is a top priority for me and I strive to continually care for, listen to, and empower everyone I meet.” She plans to study environmental science and hopes to become a conservation biologist.
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Sean Aguinaldo, from Morden Collegiate Institute, dedicated his time to a wide variety of community events throughout the year. He volunteered and performed at Filipino cultural events, assisted with high school and middle school sports programs, supported the City of Morden’s badminton and summer camp initiatives, and took part in both the East Asia Pavilion at Multicultural Winterfest and the Corn and Apple Festival. His church and the Manitoba Badminton Association also benefited from his time and energy. “I have grown up witnessing my family exploring different avenues to help and be involved, and it's always a fulfilling experience volunteering alongside them,” Aguinaldo wrote. “My family's emphasis on community service fuelled my interest to spark my passion for social responsibility by helping in various events in the community as a performer or a volunteer, helping in any capacity needed.” Aguinaldo will begin studies in kinesiology at the University of Winnipeg.
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Maya Janz, graduating from Northlands Parkway Collegiate, brought a leadership mindset to everything from school to wellness advocacy. She worked as a Grade 9 mentor and Vacation Bible School leader, and served remotely as a virtual assistant for Samaritan’s Wellness, a local palliative care business. Her resumé also includes volunteering at the Winkler Vet Clinic and the Pembina Valley Humane Society. To help local families, she created an informational brochure on separation anxiety, designed for teachers and parents of elementary and middle school children. Reflecting on her experience at Samaritan’s Wellness, she wrote, “During this project, I learned the importance of being a compassionate leader. As I've worked with team members, striving to bring their vision to life and leading them to success, we've created a collaborative environment full of respect. These moments have reinforced the importance of listening and being open to other perspectives, which are critical leadership qualities … Business isn’t just about guiding others. It’s about sparking change and building connections.” Janz is planning to pursue veterinary medicine, beginning with a science degree at the University of Winnipeg.
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How to apply
In addition to the scholarships, United Way Pembina Valley also contributes two $750 bursaries to each of the three schools. These recipients are selected directly by school staff.
“Volunteer work goes from anywhere, from volunteering in their school with coaching to activities within their church and youth,” Sandercock noted. “There was missionary work that some participated in, but it was mostly it was the things they did here working with kids, passing on their knowledge, and trying to make their communities better for everyone as a whole.”
Students interested in applying for the scholarship can do so through their school’s guidance counsellor or by visiting the United Way Pembina Valley website.
Applications are reviewed by the United Way Pembina Valley Scholarship Committee, and cheques are distributed to schools for presentation.
More information can be found by clicking here.