Recent History – 1999
March 1, 1999
By Mike Leschart, Daily News Staff
The financial burden of Lesley Dampier’s UBC education was lightened a little by the B.C. government this year. The agricultural sciences student from Dawson Creek received a $5,000 award to put toward university expenses. Dampier was recognized along with 17 other B.C. students by Premier Glen Clark at a ceremony Saturday, although she received the money at the beginning of the year.
“It’s already been put toward tuition and books and that sort of thing for this year and part of it’s been saved for next year to do the same thing,” says the conscientious student.
Dampier was nominated by her principal during her final year at South Peace Senior Secondary School in 1997. But because she didn’t continue her education in B.C. the following year, deciding to work in Ottawa as a page in the House of Commons instead, the award was deferred for one year. Once she began at UBC, Dampier simply had to show her proof of registration and the cash was hers.
The award goes to students with a high level of community involvement along with excellent academic achievements. In high school, Dampier was involved with student council, Girl Guides, the school’s basketball team and the Healthy Communities Teen Committee. Yet despite being extremely busy, her grades were still mostly A’s.
In university, Dampier doesn’t have the time to maintain the same level of involvement, but she still manages to stay involved with the Girl Guides — she is currently a Spark leader.
Dampier’s studies are keeping her occupied. She hopes to major in international development within the agricultural studies field, and eventually end up overseas working with underdeveloped communities.
“Increasing the standard of living, and working with the resources that are available in those communities, if they have a river system — how they can use that for their community without polluting it and destroying it,” she explains.
Lesley’s father, Paul Dampier, says the money is great, and will certainly ease the family’s financial load, but there are other benefits as well.
“It’s not really the monetary value, although thats significant, its the confidence it helps provide people,” he says.