Photo: Marik Beraki is graduating this Wednesday – Note: media welcome to attend
WINNIPEG, MB –Nine inner-city youth are poised to graduate from The University of Winnipeg Collegiate Model School with high school diplomas this Wednesday, May 13 at 7:30 pm in the Duckworth Centre. The Model School began in September 2008 for students from Grade 9 to Grade 12 who show potential and could benefit from a supportive learning environment.
Graduating student Marik Beraki is now 17 years old and has been with the Collegiate Model School since Grade 9. Originally from Eritrea, he arrived in Winnipeg via Ethiopia in 2006 and is the eldest of five children.
“It feels really good to be looking forward to my future,” says Beraki. “I am really happy to be a role model to my brothers and sisters. They are all smart and love school. Education is very important to me and my family, and now it is affordable for me to continue.”
Beraki is enrolling in The University of Winnipeg this September to pursue either kinesiology or criminal justice with the goal of becoming a police officer or athletic therapist. He has already earned $2,550 towards his tuition through UWinnipeg’s unique Opportunity Fund.
To date, 42 students are graduates of the Model School including this group. Of those, more than half — 23 students — are attending university (18 at UWinnipeg).
Since its inception in 2007, the Opportunity Fund has provided $2 million in assistance to more than 1,765 students. The University of Winnipeg invites everyone from the community to attend the 6th Annual I Heart UWinnipeg Dinner in support of the Opportunity Fund, which takes place at Canad Inns Polo Park on Thursday, May 21st with cocktails at 6:00 p.m. and meal to follow. Details at: http://uwinnipeg.ca/iheartuwinnipeg/
About the Model School
The Model School at The University of Winnipeg Collegiate provides students with the opportunity and the support needed to prepare for post-secondary education. The students enrolled in the program are from backgrounds that have traditionally been under-represented in both high school and post-secondary graduation rates, and are identified by public school educators or non-profit organizations as being bright and capable of university entrance, but having various barriers that prevent them from reaching their potential. The students receive a full bursary and continued support including transportation costs, nutrition, equipment and materials. The school’s unique placement on campus allows the students full access to all the resources and reference material, facilities and activities typically available to university students.
MEDIA CONTACT
Diane Poulin, Senior Communications Specialist, The University of Winnipeg
P: 204.988.7135, E: d.poulin@uwinnipeg.ca
