A scholarship in memory of a woman who loved the written word was unveiled on Friday at the TD Canada Trust branch on Main Street.

airdrielife magazine formed the Anne Beaty Memorial Scholarship for Journalism and Communication students to recognize and honour Anne's significant contributions to communications in the Airdrie community.

The magazine's publisher, Sherry Shaw-Froggatt says the scholarship was set up as a legacy to Anne who was an important part of the community for 14 years.

"In her involvement as a reporter and then an editor for the Airdrie Echo and then for the last six years with airdrielife magazine as a free lance reporter and our editor.  When she passed away last September it was heart breaking for so many of us because she was such a well recognized and respected member of our community.  Respect is one of the words I heard the most when people talked to her.  Her ability to find a story and tell the story properly was very well known in the community and she was respected because of that."

The scholarship will award $1,000 annually to a Rocky View School District graduate or student who is pursuing journalism/communications and is passionate about the written word. The criteria for the scholarship calls for someone who demonstrates outstanding academic achievement, is a dedicated community member and who exhibits proven leadership skills.

The scholarship was launched on Friday with $6,500 through the contributions of family, friends and peers of Anne. TD Canada Trust has donated the bank account. TD also originally committed to donate $500 but surprised Shaw-Froggatt on Friday by upping that to $1,000.

Derrick Cresswell-Clough, Vice-President, TD Canada Trust Alberta South-Central Prairie Region said the scholarship is in step with the bank's core values.  

"Literacy is at the forefront for us, along with things like the environment, diversity.  Literacy is something that we feel is at the core of what we stand for.  It's also inspirational.  It's what we want to stand for because we just believe it's a great thing to support."

Sarah Christie who is Anne's youngest daughter was also at the launch of the scholarship and says she is very happy it's been introduced in her mom's name.  

"It is turning something completely tragic into something inspirational and something that will continue her legacy on forever  and I'm very excited to be part of it.  Her love of the written word and journalism, to continue on is just an unbelievable feeling.  Mom would be very excited."

The first $1,000 scholarship will be awarded this October.  Nominations will be accepted here until September 30th.  

 

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