The Town of Riverview is honouring a woman who inspired youth in Aquatics over three decades.
The Embracing Responsibility Scholarship recognizes Barb Hurlbut.
During her tenure (1980-2012), she mentored over 400 lifeguards, instilling in them the significance of water safety and fostering life-saving abilities among tens of thousands of swimmers.
“This is a celebration of Lifeguarding and what a wonderful thing that is because it’s often undervalued. I’ve been so fortunate to be surrounded by so many wonderful people,” Hurlbut says.
Town Councillor Heath Johnson says he was just 14 years old when she hired him as a swim instructor, “As a leader, she created and nurtured a caring and collaborative workplace a great culture which was just a hallmark of her approach, Barb taught us to be forward-thinking, to manage our time well and utilize critical thinking at a time when we were just teenagers.”
The scholarship aims to promote employment, improve retention, and acknowledge Ms. Hurlbut’s commitment to Aquatics training, leadership, and development.
“With the current national lifeguard shortage impacting the aquatics industry post-pandemic, the Embracing Responsibility Scholarship plays a critical role in the Town’s proactive recruitment and retention strategies for lifeguards and swim instructors,” says David Shea, Director of Parks, Recreation, and Community Relations at the Town of Riverview. “We’re excited to offer this to our new cohort of lifeguards who will be joining our team this Fall and in the future.”
Eligibility:
- The scholarship allocates an annual amount of $2,000 CDN.
- To be eligible, students must be employed at the Pat Crossman Memorial Aquatic Centre or its future home, the Riverview Recreation Complex.
- The scholarship is open to Grade 12 students and those pursuing post-secondary education, including individuals who have delayed the start date of their post-secondary journey.
Applicants must have worked a minimum of 400 hours per year (8 hours per week) to demonstrate meaningful experience and significant contributions to their roles. - Applicants will be required to submit an essay highlighting how they have embraced the responsibilities associated with their job role. The emphasis should be placed on showcasing the profound impact they’ve made and the leadership skills they have developed during their tenure. This approach aligns with Ms. Hurlbut’s strong advocacy for leadership and the core values we uphold.
- The first recipient of the Embracing Responsibility Scholarship will be announced in Spring 2024, marking the beginning of a new era of support for Riverview lifeguards and swim instructors.
