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Scholar Update -- Cordelle Ellison

23 December 2011
Cordelle Ellison

I will start my first blog entry by saying how fortunate I feel to be part of such an amazing scholarship program. Thank you to everyone at CAPE for the support and encouragement over the past few months.

Second Year of Law School (often referred to as 2L) has been drastically different from First Year in many ways. Instead of walking into the Law School with fear and uncertainty, I entered 2L with more confidence and experience, yet the fear still lingers. The main difference is that I am now in control of the path I will take from this point on, as opposed to First Year when all classes are mandatory. The majority of the classes I selected are in the area of Criminal and Family Law.

This year I decided to join Pro Bono Students Canada (Dalhousie), a national student movement that is active in every Law School across the country. Every year hundreds of students contribute thousands of volunteer hours per week to benefit their community. This year I was paired with a non-profit public interest organization called Family SOS, a great local organization that provides a number of programs and services directed toward strengthening families.

Scholar Update -- Zeinab Yousif

23 December 2011
Zeinab Yousif

As the New Year approaches, I would like to extend my best wishes and gratitude to supporters of the CAPE Scholarship. I can scarcely believe that I am at the half-way point in my legal education, and the support I have received has been invaluable in making my experience an enriching and positive one.

This past semester has been the busiest by far (though I do realize I have felt and expressed that sentiment multiple times in the past). I had a great summer working full time at Student Legal Assistance (SLA) as a legal caseworker, through which I provided legal representation and advice to low-income residents in Calgary. By the end of August, however, I found myself looking forward to immersing myself back in academia. I had agonized over selecting my courses throughout the summer, and after making my final selections, I simply wanted to start learning.

Cordelle Ellison of Halifax Wins 2011 CAPE Scholarship

29 August 2011
Administrator

The 2011 CAPE Scholar is Cordelle Ellison of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Raised by a single mother in Halifax’s Uniacke Square, a public housing project, Cordelle has a long history of giving back to his community, particularly supporting at-risk youth.

Cordelle was selected out of field of very deserving applicants from coast-to-coast, spanning many professional disciplines, including medicine, dentistry, management, law, education, and engineering, among others. He will receive a $5,000 renewable scholarship.

A Black Nova Scotian, Cordelle devoted many years to the George Dixon Community Centre, where he worked in summer camps and after-school programs. As an undergraduate, he participated in the PALS Program, a mentorship initiative that provides at-risk youth with positive role models, tutoring, recreational activities, and life skills training.

Throughout his studies, Cordelle has juggled his academic and extra-curricular commitments with work as a server and bartender in order to support himself and his family.

“We were very inspired by all that Cordelle has accomplished, despite facing major financial and social barriers. His unwavering dedication to his studies, his family, and his community in the face of tough odds makes him an ideal role model,” said Michael Marin, President of the CAPE Scholarship.

Ottawa Fundraiser Brings in $2200

19 August 2011
Administrator

The CAPE Scholarship's 3rd Annual Ottawa Fundraiser brought in $2200, the organization's most successful night yet in the Nation's Capital. All proceeds will go to the 2011 scholarship recipient, who will be announced early next week.

The highlight of the evening was a video message from Zeinab Yousif, the 2010 CAPE Scholar. She talked about how the award has "allowed [her] to pursue a legal education" and give back to the low-income community in Calgary through the Student Legal Assistance Program. She also thanked the CAPE Scholarship's donors and expressed her desire for there to be "many more scholarship recipients." Applause rang through the room at the end of her message.

Toronto Event Raises $4000

29 July 2011
Administrator

On July 27, the CAPE Scholarship held its most successful fundraiser to date, collecting over $4000 to help people from disadvantaged backgrounds pursue their dreams and improve access to professional services. This was the CAPE Scholarship's most successful fundraiser to date.

"Thanks to the generous support of all those who attended, we will be able to award another scholarship this fall. That person will have the precious opportunity to make the most of their potential and communities in need will benefit from the pro bono work they are required to do as part of the program," said Michael Marin, President of the CAPE Scholarship.