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Queen’s University student and Barrie native Emma Griffin has received a financial boost to help her with her studies.
A health-sciences student, Griffin is one of three local second-year university students who have been awarded a $2,500 scholarship through the Municipal Retirees Organization Ontario (MROO) Scholarship awards, which doles out $10,000 in scholarships to post secondary students in the counties of Simcoe, Grey and Dufferin counties, District of Muskoka and Kawartha Lakes.
Provincewide, the MROO's 17th annual student scholarship program has distributed 72 scholarships to second-year students totalling $99,000.
Griffin told BarrieToday she was incredibly grateful to have received this scholarship and immediately called her grandparents to let them know.
"I was actually working at summer camp when I received the email, and I may have almost knocked a table over because I stood up with such enthusiasm," she said.
Griffin said the money will help her cover her rent during her second year of university.
"I’ve discovered that living on my own is not cheap! Costs associated with pursuing post-secondary education are a major barrier to a plethora of students and I’m grateful that MROO has helped me alleviate some of the financial burden," she said. 
Griffin, who is pursuing a degree in health sciences at Queen’s University, say she has been interested in medicine since she was about 10 years.
"I love solving puzzles; what happens in the human body and how we interact with the outside world was always the most fascinating puzzle of all," she said. "My educational pathway was solidified after working and volunteering at local hospitals and clinics.
"Seeing how health-care professionals care so deeply about their patients and work tirelessly to improve quality of life ultimately made me decide to take health sciences," Griffin added. 
After graduation, she intends to continue with her studies — with plans to attend medical school at the University of British Columbia or in Europe.
"I eventually want to become a general surgeon/ER physician and work with Doctors Without Borders," Griffin said. "During my time in school, however, I am going to continue doing what I love: playing sports, camping, playing music, and spending time with the people I love."
Recipients were determined based on the number of applicants and specific eligibility criteria, including leadership skills, volunteer experience, and commitment to making a difference in their communities. All recipients must have a familial relationship to a MROO lifetime member.
“MROO is all about supporting our local members and through the student scholarship program we are able to encourage the next generation of students and help them achieve their life goals,” said Cindy Snider, director of Zone 9 and vice-president of MROO. 
"For the last 17 years, the MROO student scholarship program has supported our members and their families," Snider added. "It’s a great program."
About the Author: Nikki Cole
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