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Turner makes business grade

Catherine Turner, who is studying business administration at the University of Victoria (UVic), has received a $5,000 scholarship.
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Black Press Scholarship winner Catherine Turner from Christina Lake.

Anyone who has been to college or university, or sent a child there, knows that post-secondary education is very expensive.Fortunately for Catherine Turner, who is studying business administration at the University of Victoria (UVic), she has received a $5,000 scholarship from Black Press, the Gazette’s parent company.Turner, a Christina Lake resident, was pleased as punch to receive the money, particularly since she did not even have to apply.“I didn’t apply for the scholarship, it’s just given to students,” she said. “I applied for third year business in February. I have a diploma in classical music with a major in voice from Capilano University.”Last year, Turner attended UVic and took pre-requisite courses for business administration.Turner attended and graduated from Grand Forks Secondary School and was known as Darby throughout, as her mother, grandmother, and great grandmother are all named Catherine.“We are all Catherine,” she said. “We all go by our middle names. And we are all second born girls.Turner said the scholarship is awarded to a bachelor of commerce student based on their supplemental application package and academic excellence.“It’s basically a resume outlining your goals and interests and why you want to be in the program,” she said. In her application, Turner also submitted articles about her music performances and other achievements from the Grand Forks Gazette.“I wanted to show what I did volunteer-wise and extra-curricular-wise,” she said. “Plays and fundraising events that I’d done that appeared in the paper.” Each scholarship recipient gets to attend an awards banquet and a reception at Black Press owner David Black’s Victoria house.Unfortunately, Turner was sick at the time with strep throat and was unable to attend. She is, however, very grateful for the scholarship.“It really helps with the tuition,” she said. “And I’m a fan of Black Press papers like the Gazette. I’ve been in it a few times. They cover a lot of the things I’m interested in.”Turner, whose program goes year-round, is expected to graduate in August of 2014. In the meantime, she’s enjoying her courses at UVic and looking forward to choosing her specialty soon.“I love UVic,” she said. “I’ve got a couple of work terms coming up which I’m hoping will help me decide what I’m interested in. I was working on accounting and finance before. But I’m undecided. I’m also interested in entrepreneurship. There are a variety of things you can take.”She said the business program is high-pressure and hard work but interesting and enjoyable.“Some of the courses are really quite interesting and something I haven’t experienced before,” said Turner. “I’m taking a business and sustainability course, for example. Sustainability is such a big thing. Our program is up and coming and new and I think it’ll be a huge asset. The co-op terms are great for experience and often leads to full-time positions.”