Winners of Tuition Prizes Announced

Communications Nova Scotia

Published Friday, June 26, 2009

Four Nova Scotia high school students have each won $5,000 in tuition for a Nova Scotia university or college of their choice through the online game Mission Tuition. Mission Tuition was designed to encourage more high school students to plan careers in Nova Scotia, by making them aware of the range of successful business and job opportunities here at home.

Quotes

“We want our young people to have the information they need to make important decisions about their future. We also want them to know that Nova Scotia can be a part of that future. Students have told us they don't know where to find the information they need, now they do with brightcareerfutures.com.” Frank Corbett, Minister responsible for Communications Nova Scotia

“It was a fun thing and you got to learn about your own province, which isn't something that you get the chance to do very often. I want to be close to home ... to go to work and to college. It is a great place to be; I just love it here.” David Cann, Riverview Rural High School (Sydney), who plans to study engineering at Cape Breton University.

“The game was actually really interesting; I didn't know we had all of those businesses that did cool stuff. Honestly, I really love where I live. I've done some travelling in my life, and its just made me realize what an amazing place Nova Scotia is and how lucky I am to be from here.” Kelsie Johnston, Sackville High School, who plans to attend St. Francis Xavier University this year

“This type of opportunity appeals to students because they are connecting to reliable information about interesting careers, while having fun at the same time. I fully endorse Mission Tuition as a valuable learning experience and a great way to earn some money for post secondary studies.” Julie Lohnes, guidance counsellor at Bridgewater High School.

Quick Facts

• The four winners of $5,000 for tuition, randomly chosen from more than 900 entries, were: David Cann, Riverview Rural High School (Sydney); Kelsie Johnston, Sackville High School; Alessandra Pagnottella, Sacred Heart School (Halifax); and Allison Rand, Bridgewater Junior and Senior High School.
• Secondary prize winners were: Patricia Howells, Dartmouth High School, a MacBook Pro. Christina Donovan, Breton Education Centre; Geoffrey Hay, Charles P. Allen; Andrea Markus, Halifax West High School; Jenna MacNutt, Oxford Regional High School; and Justin Arbuckle, Dartmouth High School won iPod Nanos.
• More than 2,300 people played the interactive online game on www.brightcareerfutures.com, a website designed to tell Nova Scotians about opportunities in growth sectors such as aerospace, finance, skilled trades, IT and health.
• Mission Tuition featured six Nova Scotia companies. Players searched for clues to answer questions and collect six game pieces. A super-spy called "N" served as their guide.
• Although the game has closed, www.brightcareerfutures.com remains as a resource. The website was developed by the Department of Labour and Workforce Development, Nova Scotia Business Inc. and Nova Scotia Come to life.
• This was the first year for the game, which can be used in subsequent years.
• Mission Tuition is just one of many initiatives, programs and campaigns carried out by Nova Scotia Come to life. The goal of Come to life is to ensure Nova Scotians and others see the province's positive and powerful attributes and advantages.

Learn More

• Bright Career Futures
• Nova Scotia Come to life
• Labour and Workforce Development
• Nova Scotia Business Inc.

Media Contact

Stacey Jones-Oxner

Nova Scotia Come to life

(902) 424-4163

Cell: (902) 497-6062

E-mail: joness@gov.ns.ca

Chrissy Matheson

Labour and Workforce Development

(902) 424-0011

Cell: (902) 430-5063

E-mail: mathescl@gov.ns.ca