Unique program marks 10 years of making post-secondary education
        possible for young people who might not otherwise have the
                                 opportunityTORONTO, May 21 /CNW/ - Thirty Grade 10 students from coast to coast are
on their way to securing a post-secondary education as recipients of this
year's CIBC Youthvision™ Scholarship, valued at up to $36,000 each. This
one-of-a-kind program has already helped 300 previous winners fulfill their
academic aspirations in the last 10 years.
    To mark the program's 10th anniversary, CIBC commissioned a study by the
Centre of Excellence for Youth Engagement, which revealed that the program's
early intervention in Grade 10 relieves financial stress, and builds
confidence and self-esteem. It also encourages independence, enables students
to do more in-depth life and educational planning, and ultimately, motivates
them to do better. Most graduate recipients of the program have gone on to
continue or attain higher levels of education after their undergraduate or
college degrees.
    To be eligible, Grade 10 students have to be enrolled in a mentoring
program with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada or the YMCA.
    "The CIBC Youthvision Scholarship Program is unique in that it targets
young people who might not otherwise have the opportunity to pursue a
university or college education and supports them in completing both their
high school and post-secondary studies," said Kim Baudouin, Assistant
Director, Higher Education Scholarships, Association of Universities and
Colleges of Canada (AUCC). "As administrator of the program, AUCC is proud to
partner with CIBC, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada and the YMCA to reach
out to high school students through this program."
    Dallas Baker, a 2009 scholarship recipient, said "I am immensely thankful
and excited about receiving the CIBC Youthvision Scholarship. I feel now as if
there are limitless possibilities ahead of me in the years to come. I am also
very grateful for the opportunity that has been given to me through the YMCA
internship. There are so many learning experiences ahead for me that I am
excited for through this program and overall."
    "The 30 students who received these scholarships will have a path to a
post-secondary education," said Gerry McCaughey, CIBC's President and Chief
Executive Officer at a ceremony recognizing the recipients today. "On behalf
of CIBC, I extend my congratulations to these 30 new scholarship recipients
and wish them every success on their continuing journey towards their academic
aspirations. I am proud of CIBC's long-standing support of this scholarship
program and our focus on providing access to education."
    Over the past 10 years, 330 Canadian Grade 10 students have been awarded
scholarships under the CIBC Youthvision Scholarship program, marking a
multi-year commitment of more than $10 million.
    Winners of the CIBC Youthvision scholarship receive six summer
internships through the YMCA that begin right after Grade 10, valued at up to
$20,000; and tuition for four years, valued at up to $16,000. They also
receive ongoing mentoring from either Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada or
the YMCA until they graduate from their post-secondary education.
    At today's event, Big Brothers Big Sisters Canada was represented by
Karen Fonseth, Chair of the National Board of Directors. The YMCA was
represented by Bahadur Madhani, Chair of the Board of Directors, YMCA of
Greater Toronto.
    In addition to their individual scholarships, Linda Xu of Scarborough was
presented with the Neil Morgan Volunteer Award for exemplary voluntary
contributions to her community and Matthew Yensen of Vancouver, was honoured
with the Ted Medland Achievement Award for attaining the highest academic
achievement of this year's crop of winners.
    In 2008, CIBC's multi-year commitments to universities and colleges
across Canada totalled $17 million, of which close to $6 million is aligned to
scholarships and bursaries at Canadian universities and colleges to enable
students to pursue post-secondary studies.

    CIBC is committed to supporting causes that matter to our clients, our
employees and our communities. We aim to make a difference in communities
through corporate donations, sponsorships and the volunteer spirit of
employees. With a strategic focus on youth, education and health, and employee
commitment to causes including the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run
for the Cure, the CIBC World Markets Children's Foundation and United Way, we
are investing in the social and economic development of communities across the
country. In 2008, CIBC group of companies contributed more than $36 million
worldwide to charitable and non-profit initiatives. Of this, more than $27
million was invested in Canada to support national, regional and local
organizations. To learn more, visit www.cibc.com/pasNote to City/News Editors: Local news releases also will be issued
    announcing CIBC Youthvision Scholarship winners. In some cases, high-
    resolution portraits of the recipients will accompany these releases
    where available.


           2009 CIBC Youthvision Scholarship Program - Recipients

    British Columbia:
    Brentwood Bay               Nathan Waller
    North Vancouver             Peter Cooper
    Vancouver                   Judith Cerny
    Vancouver                   Matthew Yensen (Medland award winner)
    Victoria                    Destiny Connors-Askins

    Alberta:
    Calgary                     Nafiseh Razavi
    Edmonton                    Darcy Courtepatte
    Edmonton                    Jessica Naidoo
    Edmonton                    Sean McClure
    Lloydminster                Kyle Leblanc

    Saskatchewan:
    Yorkton                     Kimberly Thomas

    Manitoba:
    Brandon                     Tyler Hiscock
    Winnipeg                    Stephanie Roberts

    Ontario:
    Ajax                        (Name withheld)
    Beamsville                  Kirsten Schreck
    Grimsby                     Vanessa Roukema
    Hamilton                    Kaitlynn Marquard
    London                      Alexandra Slade
    London                      Christina Whitfield
    London                      Kyla Konecny
    Mississauga                 Deshanté Jones-Taylor
    Nepean                      Stephanie Hagerman
    Ottawa                      Nick Blanchet
    St. Thomas                  Dallas Baker
    Scarborough                 Linda Xu (Morgan award winner)
    Tecumseh                    Katie Glen
    Toronto                     Jake Lewis
    Wainfleet                   Dylan Rossi

    Quebec:
    Montreal                    Devon Fowlin

    Nova Scotia:
    Dartmouth                   Gabrielle Parker