Richard Froese
South Peace News
Tia Cooper, of High Prairie, has received the 2025 Big Lakes County Return to-Service Bursary in the amount of $3,000.
Council approved the recipient at its regular meeting June 9.
Cooper is currently enrolled in the Advance Care Paramedic Diploma program through Northern Lakes College and has successfully completed her first year of a two-year program, says a BLC news release dated June 27.
She also has more than one decade of experience as a primary care paramedic, with 11 years of service to Alberta Health Services across the North Zone.
Cooper is grateful for the bursary.
“This bursary helps me continue my studies while managing the financial responsibilities that come with raising a young family and furthering my education,” says Cooper, who is also an active volunteer in the community.
“Advancing my education allows me to better educate myself to help when people in the community call 911, as well as opening the doors of a community care paramedic position.”
Reeve Tyler Airth says council appreciates residents like Cooper.
“We are proud to support Tia through the Return-to-Service Bursary,” Airth says in the news release.
“Her commitment to both professional development and community service is exactly what this (bursary) program was designed to encourage.
“We look forward to the positive impact she will make in Big Lakes County.”
Cooper is also a mother to three young children under five years of age and volunteers with the High Prairie Minor Hockey Association and the High Prairie Minor Baseball Association.
The bursary is awarded annually to local students pursuing post-secondary education with the intent to return and serve withing the region after graduation.