“These future leaders have proven themselves to be the most deserving of this exciting opportunity,” said Dan Leger, scholarship director for the Vimy Foundation. “It is our hope that the experience will further inspire them to share their knowledge of the Battle of Vimy Ridge and its role in the evolution of Canada.”

Selwyn student Christian Buchanan, along with fellow Montreal-area winners Liane Bernstein and Fabia Lisio, will join 10 other students from across Canada for the intensive scholarship program in Europe in mid-August. The winners will participate in educational seminars and museum events, including a visit to the iconic Vimy War Memorial in northern France.

The announcement was bittersweet for the non-profit foundation, which has encountered some major fundraising hurdles this year. It is now turning to the community for support.

“We depend on donor contributions to ensure that programs like the Vimy Prize continue to thrive,” said Andrew Powell, Vimy Foundation president and native Westmounter. “But with the current economic situation, fundraising has been very difficult. We’re looking for new donors to make sure that our kids don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

The message of Vimy is one of bravery and sacrifice. The battle is commonly highlighted as a turning point in Canadian history, where the four Canadian divisions fought together as a unified fighting force for the first time. While nearly 3,598 Canadian soldiers were killed on that day, the impressive victory over German forces is often cited as the beginning of Canada’s evolution from dominion to independent nation. The Vimy Foundation is working to spread the word to Canada’s youth — through initiatives like the Vimy Prize — so that they understand the importance of Vimy to the nation’s identity.

To make a donation to the Vimy Foundation, please visit their Web site at www.vimyfoundation.ca.