Scholarship Recipient "An Inspiration"

Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food

"She's an inspiration."

That's how the Executive Director of the Saskatchewan Association of Agriculture Societies and Exhibitions (SAASE) describes the first recipient of the Clark Lewis Memorial Scholarship.

SAASE Executive Director Glen Duck says Andrea Hemsley from Sylvania (southeast of Melfort) was a stand-out among a strong field of contenders.

"We had a very difficult decision in selecting the first recipient of this scholarship. Agriculture societies across the province selected only the best from their regions, so the by the time we had to choose from the final 13 applicants, we were working from a list of outstanding young leaders," said Duck.

Hemsley, who is pursuing an education degree at the University of Regina, is blind.

"Andrea is heavily involved in her community and with the Golburn Agriculture Society. She has been an inspiration to her classmates and her community for how she has faced her disability," said Duck.

The Clark Lewis Memorial Scholarship was created earlier this year to recognize the agricultural leader who passed away in March of 2005. The successful applicant receives $1,500.

Clark Lewis had a long history with SAASE. He was an active board member of the predecessor of SAASE, the Saskatchewan Agricultural Societies Association (SASA), was a member of the Minister's Review Committee in 1986, and served on the steering committee responsible for the amalgamation of the SASA and the Saskatchewan Association of Fairs and Exhibitions. Through numerous re-elections to the board by his peers, and until his retirement in 1995, Clark served on all committees and offices of SAASE.

The legacy of his leadership style of patient perseverance and dedicated service remains with agricultural societies and exhibitions throughout Saskatchewan. It was felt by the SAASE Board of Directors that the immense contributions and dedication of Clark Lewis to the organization could best be honoured through a scholarship bearing his name.

To fund the award on an ongoing basis, SAASE is soliciting contributions from agricultural societies to form a pool of money from which the interest will be utilized annually. In addition to these donations, SAASE will be using 50/50 lottery revenue, as well as money from a silent auction at its convention, to support the scholarship on a yearly basis.

For more information, contact:
Glen Duck, SAASE Executive Director
Phone: (306) 565-2121