At a ceremony last week, the St. Thomas Police Service recognized the recipient of its first scholarship.
The Andrew M. Bennett Scholarship was awarded to Makayla Thornton, who graduated this year from St. Joseph’s High School.
She explains the origins of her passion for policing.
The flame was fanned further during her time spent at St. Joe’s.
The $500 award honours the life of Const. Bennett, whose career and life were cut short by cancer some years ago. He was a member of the St. Thomas Police Service from 1982 through 1992.
The scholarship recognizes a local secondary school graduate who displays “outstanding academic performance, high levels of commitment, integrity, kindness to others, dedication to teamwork and a compassionate personality to make the world a better place.”
The scholarship was created this year with the support of the Police Services Board and kick-started through a generous contribution from a private donor.
What impresses you about Thornton is her time-management skills.
This fall she is off to Carleton University in Ottawa to pursue an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in criminology with a focus in psychology.
She has competed in karate on the international stage and has been asked to try out for the rugby team when she arrives in Ottawa.
At the presentation was Andy’s wife – since remarried – Barb Van Harn, admitted her emotions were tested that afternoon.
Bennett began his policing career in the U.K., working in the Greater Manchester area and then he and Barb took a leap of faith and moved to Canada, but not to join a service in this country.
The hoped-for job failed to materialize and he returned to policing, signing on initially in Timmins, Ontario.
Barb picks up the story from there.
And she talked about the special relationship between her and Andy.
In announcing the recipient, Chief Marc Roskamp noted, “Mikayla displays a positive attitude each day and focuses on developing new and existing relationships with compassion and empathy.”
Written by: Ian McCallum
