RE/MAX Realty Specialists Manager Paul Ford presents Level three O’Donel High student Madison King with her $1,000 scholarship as part of the nationwide Quest for Excellence program. King was awarded the scholarship based on an essay she wrote about fundraising efforts inspired by her father’s battle with cancer. Submitted photo
By Chad Feehan / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
RE/MAX Canada’s 2024 Quest for Excellence scholarship program invited high-school students across Canada to submit essays based on one of three themes, with $1,000 scholarships going to 40 students across the country.
Working within the theme of charitable community contribution, O’Donel High School student Madison King wrote about her experience with the Canadian Cancer Society’s Relay for Life fundraiser after her father William King was diagnosed with terminal cancer.
William began treatment in 2020 and after initial reports of good news, was eventually diagnosed as terminal.
“It was a big hardship and battle in our family,” Madison said.
William now makes regular trips to Germany for treatment, though Madison realizes that is not an opportunity afforded to most people.
After hearing about the Relay for Life, she knew she wanted to get involved as funds from the relay go towards cancer research.
“We found it really hard because we couldn’t do anything for my dad here,” Madison said. “We experienced a lot of pain in our family and we didn’t want other families to go through that.”
Madison hoped to not only raise funds for cancer research, but to raise awareness about the disease as well as early detection.
She would go on to raise $3,000 herself, the most of anyone in her entire school.
“It brought our community together, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose,” Madison said in her essay. “It reminded us that we are stronger together, that we can overcome even the most daunting challenges if we stand together.”
Madison said she was touched and honored to win the scholarship which she will put towards tuition at Memorial University as she pursues a degree in pharmacy.
