SCHOLARSHIP: The timing of a $5,000 scholarship from Oceanside’s Pieter de Reuver Foundation couldn’t have been better for Coombs resident Alicyn Fleischmann, above centre, who began her third year in Vancouver Island University’s (VIU) Bachelor of Science in Nursing program on Sept. 8. Fleischmann learned she had won the Pieter de Reuver Foundation Award of Excellence in the early summer, as she struggled with the idea of working full-time while also attending to family issues that were consuming her time. Fleischmann had saved for university studies since she began working at Coomb’s Country Market at age 13. The Pieter de Reuver Foundation Award of Excellence is awarded to a Parksville Qualicum Beach student in recognition of academic achievement and their positive involvement in the community and demonstration of leadership. More than 345 VIU students have benefited from the support of the Pieter de Reuver Foundation since 2009, with more than 100 more expected to receive awards in the coming year. With Fleischmann above are Pieter de Reuver, right and Salud Espiritu.