Charlie Gudaitis announced a new scholarship in honour of his wife, Ruth Gudaitis, to students of Jean Vanier Catholic High School’s music department today.
The Ruth Gudaitis Music Scholarship was created in memory of Ruth, a “true lover of music, dance and the arts,” who died earlier this year.
A total of $3,000 will be awarded to a graduating student who plans to pursue music in post-secondary education. The scholarship will be offered to a student from Jean Vanier in 2020, then rotate between Collingwood Collegiate Institute, Stayner Collegiate Institute, and the Georgian Bay Community School in Meaford in the years following.
Gudaitis, who is president of the South Georgian Bay Music Foundation (SGBMF), recognizes a need to provide schools in the area with musical instruction, instruments, and funding for musical endeavours.
“This is a very musical area,” says Gudaitis. “The foundation is involved in a number events. We want to keep music alive in our community.”
Georgian Hills Vineyards’ Vinestock is one of such events. The annual event showcases local musicians — including one of Jean Vanier’s very own — along with vendors offering local food and drink. All proceeds from ticket, food and beverage sales, as well as the ‘charitable donation stations,’ goes directly to SGBMF.
Robert Ketchin, founding partner of Georgian Hills Vineyards, and Amanda Jerome of Amanda Jerome Events, presented SGBMF with a cheque for $2,100 at Jean Vanier this morning.
This year's donation surpassed Vinestock 2018 when $1,300 was raised for SGBMF. Gudaitis, Ketchin and Jerome hope to reach $3,000 next year.
On behalf of the SGBMF, Gudaitis also presented a cheque of $2,500 to the Jean Vanier music department. Music departments at the three other high schools in the South Georgian Bay area will receive the same funding.
