The first recipients of the Gordon Wiebe Scholarships are feeling the life-changing support from the late, visionary pharmacist.

Wiebe's $2.2 million bequest through the Winkler Community Foundation created the Gordon Wiebe Education Fund last year. Jessica Froese received one of the 11 Ongoing Education Support Scholarships of $2,000.

First entering college or university can be intimidating, "There's a lot of stress... you're really going in blindfolded," Froese says.

However, the Gordon Wiebe Education scholarship has provided peace of mind, "you're not worried so much about money, you can focus on your grades," she says, without having to add a part-time job to your workload.

She says her education has already had an impact, especially from the cultural exposure in Winnipeg. One of her classes partnered Froese with an international student, spending 10 hours learning about each other's background and culture.

"It was an entirely different dynamic here," the Winkler native says.

Froese is taking business administration and will be graduating from her Red River program in Winnipeg this year.

Looking back, she encourages other high school students to take a chance and apply for a scholarship.

"I think a lot of students underestimate themselves," she says. "They don't even bother trying to sign up because they think they won't get it... overall everyone and anyone should try."

Local students will once gain access to $73,000 in post-secondary scholarships this spring.

Another former recipient, Isabel Wallace, says she's dreamed of attending university since kindergarten.

"It has been my lifelong goal," she says, one that wouldn't have been possible without the scholarship.

Karina Cardona, administrative coordinator, explains it's one of the largest scholarships programs to be developed by a rural community foundation in Manitoba.

The Gordon Wiebe Post-Secondary Scholarships will grant 15 new awards, and honour eight existing awards ranging in value from $2,000-$20,000 to students from Winkler and the surrounding community.

Another recipient, Aganetha Peters is using the support to learn American Sign Languate and help hearing-impaired youth.

"I believe that sign language interpreters are in need in our community. I want to do my part in contributing to that aspect of our community," she says.

Peters is currently working as a high school teacher at Valley Mennonite Academy in Chortitz, and planning on going back for more studies come school year.

Scholarship recipient Jessica Froese