Olds’ best students shared in a record $149,200 in scholarships — up from last year’s $123,000 -- Sept. 14, at the Olds High School awards night, held at the TransCanada Theatre in Olds.
The province of Alberta’s Rutherford Scholarships contributed $102,800 and proceeds – about $25,000 -- from the Judkins scholarship made up the majority.
Judkins, a 1934 Olds High School graduate, bequeathed $500,000 to Olds High School.
He acquired a number of degrees in the United States where he lived a very modest life, taught and eventually died in 2002. He left $4 million to Pepperdine, Purdue and UCLA. Olds, however, is where he learned to love learning, He obviously never forgot.
This year, the Dot’s Day award was added for all grades. It was awarded to students who help empower others to achieve their goals and celebrate the success of others without seeking recognition.
Dot Negropontes, who died May 15, 2017, was an inspirational teacher, vice-principal, principal, senior administrator and mentor. Her influence was felt throughout the community and profession to which she devoted her time and energy. She was one of the driving forces behind the Community Learning Campus.
