The Leanne Scholarships

On June 25, 1988, Leanne Palylyk and family friends were making a short trip to Red Deer when their car was struck by an impaired driver in a half-ton truck.  All of the four car occupants were killed.  Though Leanne, at age eleven, was too soon taken from us, we see this scholarship as a way to honour her and to celebrate her life and many talents.  We at YouthWrite believe she would have been a plucky YouthWriter for life!
 

Leanne was a lovely green-eyed dark-haired girl with a rare gift for writing that began, at age 5,  with her own handwritten interpretation of Cinderella.  The stories and poems that she wrote showed a talent well beyond her years and displayed her vivid imagination, cheeky humour, and unusual insight.  Leanne was a gentle, tender-hearted and affectionate child who loved and was loved by her brother and sister, her mom and dad, and her dog Pepe, as well as a variety of animals, from dogs to frogs, that she rescued and nurtured.  Losing her at the age of eleven left a great void in all our lives --  and we will miss her and cherish her forever.  -  Fern Jordan

Leanne's teacher Colleen Woloshyn writes:  "During her short lifetime, Leanne touched the hearts and lives of many people. With her life coming to a tragic end at an early age, Leanne left behind a lifetime dream of becoming a published author."  

Selection Process

• Submit a letter from a teacher or parent describing the applicant's writing ability and reasons for applying for the scholarship, including information about financial need.
• Be sure to include all contact information, the gender and age of the applicant (who must be between 11-17 years of age), and an e-mail address.
•  Include ONE short sample of the applicant's writing, either 75 words of poetry or two pages double-spaced of prose.  Send a copy only; DO NOT send originals.
• Full or partial scholarship awards are made at the discretion of the coordinator and supervisors, based on the overall application and the applicant's need.

Application Process

• Applications may be e-mailed to info@youthwrite.com with "The Leanne Scholarship" in the subject line or mailed to:

YouthWrite Society Canada

10629-127 Street

Edmonton, AB  T5N 1W2

• The successful applicant(s) will be notified via e-mail.