Retail Council of Canada Announces the 2008 Retail as a Career Scholarship Recipients
Toronto, May 16, 2008 – The future of retail is in good hands, as 26 high school and post-secondary students from across the country will each receive a $1,000 scholarship to assist in their pursuit of retail as a career. Retail Council of Canada (RCC), in partnership with sponsoring retail organizations, will award the scholarships at the Canadian Retail Hall of Fame Luncheon June 3 at STORE 2008 — Canada's Retail Conference.
"It is remarkable to hear what our future retailers have to say about this vibrant industry," says Diane J. Brisebois, President and CEO, Retail Council of Canada. "This year's scholarship recipients speak about customer loyalty, technology and the environment, proving to us they are very in tune with current trends in retail and already possess what it takes to succeed."
Over the past five years, RCC and its sponsors have given more than $100,000 in scholarships to students who exemplify excellence in retail and demonstrate a strong commitment to the future of retail through their education. The Retail as a Career Scholarship Program continues to grow each year, both in the number of applicants and in the number of retailers who provide the additional funding needed to increase the number of scholarships available.
Recipients are currently working in the retail industry and pursuing post-secondary education in related programs, such as fashion merchandising/marketing, retail management, commerce, advertising, communications, and human resources management.
Applicants are judged by retail industry experts in three categories: academic performance, reference letters and a personal essay explaining their experiences in the retail industry and how their education would make an impact on the future of the industry.
In addition to the scholarships, recipients will receive an all-access pass, including travel and accommodation, to attend STORE 2008 — Canada's Retail Conference, where they will have the opportunity to meet with some of Canada's most prominent retail industry professionals.
The 2008 Retail as a Career Scholarship winners are (in alphabetical order):
| Nikolina Babic | North Vancouver, BC | Smart Set | Simon Fraser University |
| Stephanie Becerra | Toronto, ON | Laura Secord | Ryerson University |
| Shannon Bourne | Toronto, ON | The Home Depot Canada | Seneca College |
| Samantha Crossman | Prescott, ON | Echo Clothing Company | George Brown College |
| Bret Collett | Portage la Prairie, MB | Ricki's | University of Manitoba |
| Jessica DiRito | Markham, ON | Buon Appetite Fine Foods | York University |
| Paula Drummond | Paradise, NL | The Home Depot Canada | Keyin College |
| Marie-Eve Gélinas | Trois-Rivières, QC | Le Groupe Aldo Inc. | Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières |
| Leah Green | Saskatoon, SK | Zellers | University of Saskatchewan |
| Amy Herring | York, PEI | Canadian Tire Corporation Ltd. | University of Prince Edward Island |
| Krystal Huebl | Lacombe, AB | Rexall Drug Stores Ltd. | University of Calgary |
| Cheryl Jackson | Mississauga, ON | Wowy Zowy Toys | University of Ottawa |
| Hayley Morgan | Ancaster, ON | Stoneridge | Ryerson University |
| Ashwani Nandrajog | Cambridge, ON | Future Shop | Wilfrid Laurier University |
| Alyssa Newell | Georgetown, ON | Reitmans Canada | George Brown College |
| Shannon Nielsen | Minesing, ON | Roots Canada Ltd. | Ryerson University |
| Julia Ounphongxay | Toronto, ON | Sears Canada | Ryerson University |
| Irena Petrovik | Pickering, ON | Starbucks Coffee Canada | Centennial College |
| Chantel Popoff | Kelowna, BC | Paragon Pharmacies Ltd. | University of Regina |
| Adam Pospisil | Burnaby, BC | Sport Chek | BCIT |
| Joshua Robinson | Burlington, ON | American Eagle Outfitters | University of Western Ontario |
| Lisa Smart | St. John's, NL | Newfoundland Labrador Liquor Corporation | Memorial University |
| Katie Stortz | Waterloo, ON | Eyeview Optical | Conestoga College |
| Marina Thompson | Toronto, ON | Hudson's Bay Company | Ryerson University |
| Rachel Velsher | Thornhill, ON | Starbucks Coffee Canada | Seneca College |
| Randal Westhaver | Hubbards, NS | Pharmasave Drugs Ltd. | Dalhousie University |
Leading Canadian retailers — including The Home Depot Canada, Home Hardware Stores Ltd., easyhome Ltd., Winners/HomeSense, Costco Wholesale Canada Ltd., Sony of Canada Ltd., Talbots Inc., Canadian Tire Corporation Ltd., Aritzia LP, Directions East/Vivah Jewellery, Future Shop, IKEA Canada, STAPLES Business Depot, Toys 'R' Us (Canada) Ltd., Comark Inc., Wal-Mart Canada Corporation, Starbucks Coffee Canada, Sears Canada, Urban Barn Ltd., Hudson's Bay Company, and Best Buy Canada — have sponsored 21 of the scholarships, while RCC sponsored five in honour of past Canadian Retail Hall of Fame inductees.
The scholarship recipients will be recognized at the Canadian Retail Hall of Fame Luncheon, held during STORE 2008. Stephen Bebis, President & CEO of Golf Town, will also be honoured as the latest inductee into the Canadian Retail Hall of Fame for his demonstrated leadership in advancing retailing as a career.
About the Canadian Retail Institute
Canadian Retail Institute (CRI), the education arm of RCC, is dedicated to promoting retail as a rewarding career by developing professional designation programs, establishing scholarships, and creating partnerships with educational institutions that provide retail programs across Canada.
About Retail Council of Canada
Retail Council of Canada (www.retailcouncil.org) is the Voice of Retail. It is a not-for-profit association representing more than 40,000 stores of all retail formats, including independent merchants, regional and national mass and specialty chains, and online merchants.
Media are invited to attend STORE 2008.
For further information: and to RSVP, contact Meredith Roberts, Account Manager, Pipeline Communications, (416) 694-2777, ext. 223, e-mail: meredith@pipelinecommunications.ca.