Rodger Henderson Memorial Scholarship
A person deeply committed to his family, his community and to issues of social justice, Rodger Henderson, along with his wife Barb, was part of a small group that had a vision to bring a fair trade store to Cobourg. It was a project that required dedication, hard work, and the belief that fair trade could change the lives of artisans and their communities in the developing world. A decade, what began as a booth at the Cobourg Waterfront Festival has become a fixture on King Street, providing quality products, raising consciousness and supporting global fair trade.
Rodger died in 2017 and we at the Northumberland Fair is Fair Trade Group are honouring his memory by establishing a $500.00 scholarship in his name. The Rodger Henderson Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to a graduate of a high school in Northumberland County who has a demonstrated interest in fair trade and/or issues in social justice and who will be pursuing post-secondary education directly upon graduation. Interested students will be required to complete an application form and write a 400-500 word essay explaining their interest in, and commitment to, fair trade and/or social justice. The Board of Directors’ Scholarship Committee will review the applications; the successful candidate will receive recognition at graduation, and the $500.00 will be paid upon receipt of proof of registration at an accredited post-secondary educational institution.
Information about the Rodger Henderson Memorial Scholarship, along with scholarship applications, can be obtained through high school guidance offices, or by contacting the Northumberland Fair is Fair Trade Group at (905)373-1617 or sending an email using the button below.
PREVIOUS RECIPIENTS
The 2022 Rodger Henderson Memorial Scholarship has been awarded to Katrina Badali, a graduating student from Cobourg Collegiate Institute in Cobourg. Katrina is currently in the midst of determining her acceptance to a post-secondary institution for the fall but has applied for an Arts program with a long-term focus on teaching.
Katrina has had extensive involvement in local social justice initiatives including participation in events like "Coldest Night of the Year", CCI Community dinners, and the YMCA's Peace Medal breakfast. As co-President of the CCI Interact Club, Katrina has taken on several leadership roles in organizing school activities around awareness and social justice, including helping with our Ten Thousand Villages pop-up shop at the school at Christmas time. As a member of the Interact club for her entire high school career, Katrina has helped fundraise for many organizations including Cornerstone, the Salvation Army, End Polio Now, and many others.
Katrina has also taken opportunities for personal growth and understanding, most recently by attending the Rotary Youth Leadership Symposium where the focus covered such topics as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and Reconciliation and Land-based Education.
We wish Katrina all the best as she moves onto the next stage of her educational journey.
The 2021 Rodger Henderson Memorial Scholarship has been awarded to Abigail Parr, a graduating student from Cobourg Collegiate Institute in Cobourg. Abby will be attending Wilfred Laurier University in Waterloo in the fall to pursue a double degree in Business Administration and Financial Mathematics.
Abby has been the President of CCI's Interact Club for the past two years and has overseen the coordination of several social justice projects including the Community dinners, Halloween for Hunger food drives, the 30 hour famine, Coldest Night of the Year walk, and many others. Abby also took part in the 2020 Journey of Hope mission to Tanzania Africa (just prior to the pandemic), and belonged to the CCI "Cheer her on" and Environmental clubs.
Abby is also the first scholarship winner to also be a volunteer at Ten Thousand Villages. We wish Abby every success as she begins her post-secondary studies this fall!
The 2020 Rodger Henderson Memorial Scholarship has been awarded to Sydney Cole, a graduating student from St. Mary's Catholic Secondary School in Cobourg. Sydney will be attending the University of Ottawa in the fall to study Health Sciences.
While at St. Mary's, Sydney belonged to the social justice committee and helped raise awareness for issues such as local poverty and homelessness, as well as organizing fundraisers for the Salvation Army and Cops for Cancer. Outside of school, Sydney volunteered for SONG, a local after school music program for children, and in the summer she volunteered for several years at Woodland Discoveries Camp which is a camp for adults with special needs.
Congratulations on being named the 2020 scholarship winner, Sydney!
The 2019 Rodger Henderson Memorial Scholarship has been awarded to Andrew Atanasoff from Cobourg Collegiate Institute. Andrew has a passion for social justice issues and is the outgoing president of his school's Interact Club. He has helped to coordinate several community dinners at the school for those less fortunate to enjoy the company of others and a warm meal.
In addition to these in-school activities, Andrew has also helped with fundraisers for International Clean Water Projects, Sleeping Children Around the World, Coldest Night of the Year, and the local food bank.
Andrew had the privilege of being selected to go on the "Journey of Hope" to Tanzania to help continue the partnership there with the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board. From this experience working with children both at an orphanage and teaching lessons in an elementary classroom, he has found a particular affinity for working with special needs.
Andrew will be heading to York University to pursue a degree in Fine Arts and Concurrent Education. We wish Andrew much success with these endeavours!
