Three post-secondary students from Amherst Island were named as recipients of the Ameriks Scholarship Fund. Megan Ashley, Alicia Wolfreys, and Rebecca Scott will each be receiving $845.55 towards their post-secondary education.

Donations from the Amherst Island Women's Institute, Amherst Island Men's Society, as well as Eloise and Dayle Gowan helped make up the total of this year's fund - along with interest earned on the fund's initial investment, the total was $2,536.66.

The fund is open each year to post-secondary applicants who have lived on Amherst Island for at least five years. Coun. Lorna Willis noted her support for the fund and the recipients.

"We're very grateful this fund exists, and to offer congratulations to the three women who are receiving the scholarship this year," said Willis.

The Ameriks fund was established in 1990, and named after its original contributor, Alberts Ameriks. Ameriks emigrated to Canada in 1951, and became an Amherst Island resident. He donated $10,000 to the township of Amherst Island in memory of Reeve Frank Fleming. The township created a trust declaration to invest the $10,000, and use the annual interest to fund the Ameriks Scholarship Fund in memory of Fleming.

According to staff's report, Coun. Ralph Woods submitted a letter to the reeve and members of council in November 1990 recommending that the Ameriks Fund should serve the island community for future generations.

"[I would] like to see the fund be used in such a manner as to be a continuing benefit to the young people of Amherst Island. Through their academic accomplishments, many of the youth have brought pride to their parents and to the other residents of the Island. Some still call the Island home, but those who have left have strong ties with their Island home." Woods noted in his letter.

Ashley attends the University of Western Ontario, while Wolfreys is at Nipissing University, and Scott, at Trent University.

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