Three Vanier students received 2010 RFCM Scholarships for the Next Generation at the RFCM Recognition Gala held on April 28, 2010.  Vanier’s Kavi Velauthapillai from Honours Health Science, Bijoya Milli Nath-Chowdhury from the Architectural Technology program, and Reina Avelino from the AEC Damage Insurance program, each received a RFCM Scholarship of $1000.

As well, Kavi Velauthapillai also received the $2000 Coup de Coeur Scholarship awarded to one student whose accomplishments most impressed the judges, from among the thirty-six students receiving RFCM Scholarships this year.  According to the judges, her ambition, leadership and drive stood out among the many finalists.  Indeed Kavi Velauthapillai got involved in various multicultural activities from the time she arrived at Vanier, organizing fundraisers for women’s shelters and participating in awareness campaigns of social inequality.  Her social commitment also extends beyond the college.  She has volunteered at the West Montreal Rehabilitation Center and the Montreal General Hospital.  No surprise therefore, that she now hopes to study medicine and possibly someday volunteer for Doctors Without Borders.

Bijoya Milli Nath-Chowdhury is remarkable for her commitment to sustainability and environmental conservation, as well as to humanitarian issues.  In 2008, she volunteered with Habitat for Humanity in Taos, New Mexico.  In 2009, her outstanding academic success also earned her regional and provincial Hats Off to You! Awards.

Reina Avelino, a resourceful and determined single mother of two, is fascinated by problem-solving which is why she chose to study Damage Insurance at Vanier.  In fact, she hopes to continue her studies at the Insurance Institute of Canada to become a Chartered Insurance Professional.

Bravo to these outstanding Vanier students.

(Photo left to right: Gilbert Héroux, Reina Avelino, Don Hetherington, Kavi Velauthapillai, Joshua Berman, Bijoya Milli Nath-Chowdhury, Micheal Sendbuehler)