It's Time for Community To Give Back To Nicol

Petrolia Independent
November 21, 2019

Dear Editor,

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I am writing to express my disappointment that Councillor Joel Field’s efforts to convince Petrolia Town Council to invest in the Nicol Scholarship were not supported. In an article published on November 14th Councillor Joel Field is quoted as saying he believes that an injection of money into the Nicol “could give a boost to the scholarship and get the excitement back in the school.” In September, former LCCVI Principal Tim Hummel explained that in its heyday the Nicol “created a culture where students naturally participated in extracurriculars and volunteered outside of the school and … it made LCCVI and Petrolia a better place.” I’ve always been amazed such a generous scholarship existed at LCCVI, and I believe it made a difference in thousands of people’s lives over the years - both directly for the nearly 400 recipients and their families, and indirectly through the ripple effect of an engaged student body at LCCVI and in the community since 1987.

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A few years ago, a group of Nicol recipients created the Nicol Community Scholarship Fund through the help of the Sarnia Community Foundation. Our hope is that former Nicol scholars and those who believe the Nicol has been good for LCCVI and for central Lambton will donate to ensure the Nicol in perpetuity. Our goal is to raise $400 000 which represents approximately $1 000 per Nicol recipient over the past 32 years. To date we have raised almost $13 500. Once a sustainable amount of money has been raised, contributions will begin towards the Nicol each year.

I strongly believe that investing in education is never a waste. I know what receiving a Nicol meant to me. I remember how dynamic LCCVI was in the 1990s when many scholarships were given, and I have heard from other Nicol recipients about the impact of the scholarship on their lives through a survey I conducted a few years ago.

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One Nicol scholar shared that “The financial support from this scholarship was very significant as I was raised by a single mother with precarious jobs and therefore there were no savings available for my future education. I worked part-time throughout high school, but my savings from that didn’t even make a dent in my tuition and living costs. Thanks to the Nicol, I was able to attend my first year of university without feeling incredibly stressed about finances and therefore could focus my energy on adapting to university life and courses. Being awarded the Nicol Scholarship was also a proud moment for me and my family as it was an acknowledgement for all of the time and energy I had contributed to the school and community over the years.”

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Another Nicol scholar said: “Financially it was a godsend. Emotionally it was a real source of pride for myself and family.” Yet another Nicol scholar shared: “Financially, it made a big difference…I was the first in my family to go to college and knowing I wasn't putting any financial burden on my family was such an incredible blessing! I felt so honoured and fortunate (and still do!) to be selected as a Nicol Scholarship recipient.” Finally, a Nicol scholar shared: “The pursuit of the Nicol Scholarship was something that led me to become more involved in my school and my community and created and helped shape a work ethic and values that I still hold today.”

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The Nicol is limping along and needs an injection of funds if it is going to continue to provide opportunities for students in central Lambton. I am asking each Nicol recipient to consider a donation of CAD $1 000 which is a fraction of the gift given to you by Harold Robert Madden Nicol. Donations can be made to the Nicol Community Scholarship Fund through the Sarnia Community Foundation. It is time for the community to give back and ensure the legacy of Mr. Nicol. I will continue to contribute to the fund and hope that many others who have been touched by Mr. Nicol’s legacy will do likewise.

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I have always been struck by the generosity of Mr. Nicol. I remember reading about Mr. Nicol’s death in the biography written by Mr. Inglis. Mr. Nicol was terminally ill and had decided to create the Helen Kavanagh Nicol Scholarship in honour of his mother and sister. With the knowledge that a terminal illness would cost a fortune in an American hospital, he instead chose to take his own life to ensure his money went to the scholarship. Surely, we can’t let Mr. Nicol’s selfless act become history. Together we can ensure that the Helen Kavanagh Nicol Scholarship continues.

Sincerely,

Lindsay Core (Nicol ’98)

Guelph, Ontario