Student Wins First Lorene Robertson Writing Award

WHITEHORSE- Tracy Dart’s poem written in the theme “our northern homeland” has earned her a $2,000 cash award. Enrolled in Office Administration, Tracy is working to improve the financial well-being of her family through an education that will lead to gainful employment.

When asked what the $2,000 will mean to Dart, she states, “I’ll be able to pay my heating bills which will allow me to focus on my studies.” Longer term, Dart hopes to enroll her young daughter in a good pre-school and hopefully get her on track to being the family’s first university graduate.

If everything works out financially, Dart looks forward to one day finding time to pursue her passion for writing. Dart will be reading her poem at the Yukon College Student Awards Ceremony next week.

Financial awards are critical to students’ ability to complete an education. It’s the number one barrier for students enrolled at Yukon College. For more information visit – yukoncollege.yk.ca/student-awards

Lorene Robertson grew up in the suburbs of Vancouver but always dreamed of living near the wilderness in the North.  She moved to Whitehorse at age 33 in 1988 where she was able to pursue her twin passions of paddling the Yukon rivers and riding her horse in dressage competitions or with her partner Hugh Monaghan in the hills above Lake Laberge.

Lorene was a creative and engaging English teacher for over 25 years at Yukon College teaching primarily in the Adult Basic Education program.  She was an excellent writer, editor and mentor and loved teaching and writing poetry.  She was particularly proud of establishing the College Writing Centre where students could receive individual mentoring to improve their writing.   She passed away in August 2014 due to a tragic fall from her much-loved horse.

This writing award in Lorene’s name, hopes to continue her legacy of inspiring others to find their voice and tell their stories especially about their experience of living in the North.