To the Editor:

At the Prince Charles Secondary School graduation ceremony two years ago, our daughter was the recipient of a scholarship sponsored by the local Royal Canadian Legion branch No. 29, an award she promptly and gratefully accepted. When she later contacted the legion to claim her bursary cheque, she was told she was too late, and that the deadline had passed, which was not completely the truth. As it turns out, the scholarship was given to another student without telling her.

Now, I realize it's their money, and Mr. Vern Hickson, as legion president, can give it to anyone he chooses, but doing so without any prior attempt to contact our daughter after she was publicly awarded the scholarship and then failing to make any explanation when the facts were uncovered — is that right?

I was raised in a military tradition, and was taught that a person's word was their bond, a value I have tried to pass down to our children. It's a sad day that the actions of the president of our local legion, an institution founded in honour and integrity, don't reflect these values.

My advice to the 2010 legion scholarship winner: Claim your prize right away. You've earned it, and good luck!

Stephen Small

Creston