Phil Beriault, a graduating student from St. Peter Catholic High School, is the first recipient of a newly establushed bursury at Carleton University by Stephen Blais, Catholic school board trustee for Orléans-Cumberland.

The yearly, $500 bursary that is awarded to a student set to graduate from high school at either St. Peter or St. Matthew's The student must also be eligible for OSAP.

Blais helped create the bursary two years ago after not accepting a raise board trustees voted for themselves back in 2006. Instead of taking the raise, Blais donated the money to Carleton.

"Phil is the first of many students who will benefit from this bursary," said Blais.

The senior student at St. Peter is thrilled to be the first recipient, and said the money will go a long way as he prepares for life after high school.

"It means a lot, for sure," he said. "It will be a huge help for tuition costs and books and supplies."

Beriault is looking forward to his post-secondary career at Carleton, and will be studying political science at Carleton, with a focus on political theory.

"Politics has always been a huge interest of mine," he said. "It just seemed like the right choice to make."

Blais' original $10,000 donation was matched dollar for dollar by the provincial government.

In his platform for election as a trustee, Blais felt a raise for trustees wasn't necessary, and would use the money for the good of high school students.

"It was important for me to keep my promise to give back the trustee raise," said Blais. "It's even more important to help students in need to realize their dreams of higher learning."