- TD Scholarships for Community Leadership valued at up to $70,000 bestowed to 20 high school students -

TORONTO, May 27, 2014 /CNW/ - From engaging youth in a local revitalization project to forming an advocacy group for climate change, high school students across Canada have made a positive impact in their communities. In recognition of their worthwhile efforts, TD Bank Group awarded 20 high school students with a TD Scholarship for Community Leadership, each valued at up to $70,000.

"This year's impressive recipients are proof that Canadian youth are tremendously innovative and inspire positive change to educate and empower others in their communities," said Tim Hockey, Group Head Canadian Banking, Auto Finance and Wealth Management, TD Bank Group, and President and CEO, TD Canada Trust. "We are thrilled to be part of this program which provides support for post-secondary education and helps develop these students as Canada's future leaders."

Scholarship recipients were honoured at a ceremony in Ottawa on May 27. Some noteworthy achievements in 2014 include:

• Alannis McKee, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. In an effort to support marginalized groups in Canada's north, Alannis formed a youth-driven inclusion program to address bullying of vulnerable students. She also founded a chapter of Best Buddies to connect mainstream youth and those with intellectual disabilities, and acts as a Special Olympics Northwest Territories coach, engaging individuals with disabilities through sport.
• Sam Harrison, Vancouver, British Columbia. As director of Kids for Climate Action, Sam strongly believes the government must take action on climate change. Prior to the 2013 election in British Columbia, he rallied students across the greater Vancouver area through non-partisan flash mobs, strategic canvassing and more to bring environmental concerns to the forefront amongst voters. He also led a high school campaign to oppose the expansion of Vancouver's thermal coal exports.
• Shericka Hepburn, Toronto, Ontario. As president of her school's African Canadian Leadership Committee, Shericka challenges black youth to pursue education as a way out of poverty through tutoring, charity sporting events and field trips. Additionally, as a founding member of Weston Against Harm Movement, she serves as a Restorative Practice facilitator to help find community-based solutions to societal issues.

TD has honoured the exemplary work of high school students for 19 years through TD Scholarships for Community Leadership. Each scholarship includes tuition at any accredited university or college in Canada, $7,500 a year for living expenses, summer employment within TD Bank Group for up to four years, and mentorship and networking opportunities.

The 2014 recipients of the TD Scholarships for Community Leadership:

Alannis McKee, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
Shivani Mysuria, Burnaby, British Columbia
Rachel Garrett, Delta, British Columbia
Freya Kellet, Kelowna, British Columbia
Jamie Whitford, Pitt Meadows, British Columbia
Sam Harrison, Vancouver, British Columbia
Rohan Nuttall, Edmonton, Alberta
Evan Wiens, Steinbach, Manitoba
Rebecca Hagos, Windsor, Ontario
Emma-Cole McCubbin, Durham, Ontario
Emily Sinclair, Hamilton, Ontario
Shericka Hepburn, Toronto, Ontario
Zameer Bharwani, Toronto, Ontario
Mustafa Ahmed, Toronto, Ontario
Francis Tuntu Asajile, Ajax, Ontario
Mitchell Wootton, Courtice, Ontario
Dayeon Min, Pointe-Claire, Quebec
Hugo St-Amant, Trois-Rivières, Quebec
Sawini Fernando, Stratford, Prince Edward Island
Nicholas McCullum, Apohaqui, New Brunswick

How recipients are selected:
Applications to the TD Scholarships for Community Leadership are open to students across Canada who are in their final year of high school or CEGEP (Quebec), have a minimum overall average of 75% in their most recently completed school year, and demonstrate community leadership. Finalists are interviewed by regional selection panels in early spring.

Are you a student who's making your community a better place? Applications for 2015 scholarships will be available in September 2014. For further details on the eligibility and selection process for the TD Scholarships for Community Leadership, visit www.td.com/scholarship.

TD Community Giving
TD Bank Group invests in communities in order to effect positive change in the places where it operates and where its clients and employees live and work. In 2013, TD donated more than $74.7 million to community organizations in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. In Canada, TD focuses on education and financial literacy, creating opportunities for young people and the environment. For further information, please visit www.td.com/corporate-responsibility.

Image with caption: "TD Bank Group awarded 20 Canadian students with a TD Scholarship for Community Leadership each valued at up to $70,000 at a ceremony today in Ottawa. Students were recognized by Dr. Jane Thompson, Executive Director, TD Scholarships for Community Leadership and Tim Hockey, Group Head Canadian Banking, Auto Finance and Wealth Management, TD Bank Group, and President and CEO, TD Canada Trust. (CNW Group/TD Bank Group)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140527_C7065_PHOTO_EN_40792.jpg

SOURCE: TD Bank Group