I was very disappointed to learn about St. Albert Public Schools' decision to remove scholarship plaques that memorialize their sponsors.
My dad was a teacher at Paul Kane High School for 30 years and avidly supported the school all the years of his retirement. In 2008 he decided to establish and finance an annual student scholarship. Upon his passing in 2022 my brother and I decided to use a portion of his estate to continue the scholarship over the next decade. It was only after the school brought forward the idea of a plaque that we made the decision to invest in one. Now, only 6 months after it was hung at the school, it will be removed and returned.
I am left to wonder what precipitated this discussion and decision. It can't be "equity" as the article suggests since the same option was open to everyone. If that were the case, one could argue that scholarships themselves aren't "equitable". The competition for them is open to everyone yet only a select few will be granted the award. Should scholarships be removed in the name of equity? To say that these plaques may be triggering to students and staff is nonsense compared to the actual distress it will cause the families of your sponsors.
The vague wording in the article ("could be harmful", "if it's triggering") tells me this decision was made based on speculation which is a shame.
Kate (Geddes) Beard, Edmonton
