The 2016 Atlantic Bursary cheque presentations took place at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at CDP on Thursday night. Four students from the Atlantic Provinces were each awarded a $1,000 bursary towards their post secondary education for the 2016-2017 academic term.

In the presentation photo are: (L-R) Ronnie Gamble, Judge with the Atlantic Provinces Harness Racing Commission; Robyn Crowe, Executive Director of the Nova Scotia Harness Racing Industry Association; Kent Oakes, Standardbred Canada Director; Dan Gall, President & CEO, Standardbred Canada; Lee Drake, Manager Marketing, Brands & Playwise, Red Racetrack and Casino, Charlottetown and Summerside Properties; and bursary winners, Dawn Marie Moore of Milton Station, PEI; MacKenzie MacInnis of Tyne Valley, PEI; Jacob MacKinnon of Souris, PEI; and Kent Beattie, of Fredericton, N.B. (Photo courtesy Gail MacDonald)

Kent Beattie is going into his first year of the Veterinarian program at the University of Prince Edward Island.

Jacob MacKinnon is pursuing a career as a Wildlife Biologist and will be entering his second year in the Biology program at UPEI.

MacKenzie MacInnis is pursuing a career in Dental Assisting and is entering her second year at Holland College.

Dawn Marie Moore will be entering her fourth year in the Bachelor of Science program for Nursing at UPEI in September.

The bursaries were awarded based on active involvement in the harness racing community, academics, financial need and an essay.

The Atlantic Bursary Program is supported and funded by Standardbred Canada, the Nova Scotia Harness Racing Industry Association, the Prince Edward Island Harness Racing Industry Association, and the 'Stretch Drive Fund,' a fund created by the Atlantic Provinces Harness Racing Commission’s race officials.

Standardbred Canada and all of the partners from the Atlantic Provinces would like to extend their congratulations to the winners and thank all of the students who submitted applications for bursaries.