Bacon-Elliott memorial bursary dinner returns in Amherst
The 27th annual Bacon-Elliott memorial bursary dinner is just around the corner.
On May 13, at the Lion’s Den in Amherst, the Cumberland North P.C. Scholarship Society will host its annual fundraiser dinner. Money raised from the meal goes towards bursaries for high school graduates living in Cumberland North who plan to continue their education.
Since the dinner was first held in 1994, more than 80 students have been awarded a bursary. The scholarship society has organized the event since 1996.
This year’s guest speaker will be Nayo Upshaw of Amherst, a bursary winner in 2011, holder of three university degrees and currently the acting vice-principal at the Springhill Junior/Senior High School. Society president Morris Haugg will emcee the event while local dignitaries, including mayors and MLAs, will share remarks. The meal, a turkey dinner, will be catered by Duncan’s. A live and silent auction will also be held.
Last year’s Bacon-Elliott Dinner was the first since 2019, as the event had been cancelled the previous two years due to the pandemic.
For each of the last 15 years, the bursary has been valued at $1,000.
As a result of funds raised last year, three bursaries were awarded last June to Emmy Sharpe and Nick Lawrence of Amherst Regional High School and Irene (Xiaoyan) Zhong of Pugwash District High School.
Last year’s winners will attend this year’s dinner to provide a report on their first year of university and share their plans and goals.
Three $100 school prizes were also awarded last year at the high schools and the Amherst campus of the Nova Scotia Community College.
The event starts at 5 p.m. with the meal being served at 6 p.m.
Tickets are $40. A tax receipt will be given for $25. Eat-in and takeout options are available.