award background
When Stacy McLean, Finance Manager at SIRCH Community Services married Steve Todd (Todd’s Your Independent), the senior staff and board wanted to do something special. Both Stacy and Steve have an incredible work ethic that started young. Both worked while attending school and see it as a valuable way to increase one’s opportunities and options as a high school student. So the Executive Director, Administrative Manager, and Board Members donated towards an award in honour of Steve and Stacy, and the values they embrace.
Amount of Award: SIRCH raised $500 and Steve and Stacy were so thrilled at the idea, that they matched that amount.
Number of Awards given in 2024: 2 awards of $500 each
award purpose
This Award acknowledges students who not only go to school full time, but who seize the opportunity to also work at a local business. Real life work opportunities teach valuable life lessons about problem-solving, achievement, helping others, communicating well. Opportunity looks a lot like hard work, but it is worth it. Not only can you put work experience on your resume, but you can build relationships with people of different backgrounds, learn different points of view, expand your horizons.
Taking a job while attending high school hones who you are and gives you skills that will serve you throughout your life. It gives you an opportunity to discover who you are and what you want to become (and what you don’t). It introduces you to different challenges and gives you practice on how best to use your unique personality and talents to solve those challenges. It gives you an opportunity to be more independent and to contribute back to your family.
Eligibility criteria for the award
You must be a full time high school student in Haliburton County in grade 9, 10 or 11.
You must have marks at least at a level 3 (70%).
You must be working in a customer service role with a local business.
Your employer must complete an employer section
submission requirements
All applicants must send in an application form. Information must be complete. The Employer Section must be filled in.
Applicants may also provide a short video of themselves in a customer service situation, or talking about customer service.
Application deadline is April 30th, 2024
Successful applicants will be notified by May 31, 2024 via phone
Winners must provide photo consent to be used in newspaper and online promotions
application process
Any student who meets the eligibility criteria can apply directly for this award online, or by submitting a paper copy of the application form
Deadline: April 30, 2024
review & selection process
Applications will be reviewed by a committee of three:
- Stacy McLean & Steve Todd (who together form one vote). If an applicant works at Todd's Your Independent, Steve Todd will not vote due to conflict of interest.
2. A representative from SIRCH Community Services will have
one vote.
3. A representative of the Haliburton County business community
will have one vote.
Winners will be announced no later than May 31, 2024.
Winners will be notified via phone
for more information
please email us!
