The Town of Riverview Announces First Recipient of the Embracing Responsibility Scholarship

Riverview High School Grade 12 student, local lifeguard and swim instructor, Claire Legere, receives a $2,000 scholarship to pursue post-secondary education.

RIVERVIEW (N.B.) – The Town of Riverview is excited to announce Claire Legere as the recipient of this year's Embracing Responsibility Scholarship. The $2,000 scholarship was established to honor Barb Hurlbut, who dedicated over three decades of service as the Town's Aquatics Coordinator.

During the selection process, Claire stood out among the applicants, due to her remarkable qualities both on and off the pool deck.

“Being a swim instructor is more than just showing up for work. You help teach kids in your community an important skill and really care about their success, both in and out of the water,” states Claire about her passion for her job.  

Claire shares about being named this year's recipient, "It’s a unique job for any high school student, with big responsibilities. You must show up and give it your all because you get back what you put in. Being recognized for my efforts is special and the financial support will help a lot as I head off to university this fall."

Barb Hurlbut, for whom the scholarship is named, and was part of this year’s selection committee, expressed her delight for the first recipient. "Claire's dedication to her job role and her community is truly inspiring. She represents the very essence of what this scholarship celebrates."

Heather Reinsborough, current Aquatics Coordinator with the Town of Riverview, added, “Recognizing the work our team does all year round to help people become more water-confident is vital. This scholarship highlights the importance of their roles and the impact they have in our community.”

The selection committee comprised Town employees and community members with experience working at the pool and understanding the values that lifeguards uphold. The panel included Barb Hurlbut, retired Aquatics Coordinator for the Town of Riverview; Ashly Barron, Manager of Communications for the Town of Riverview; Richard Phillips, lawyer at Phillips Dempsey and former Aquatics Cashier at the Town of Riverview; and Katherine Trevors, Head Coach of the Codiac Vikings Aquatics Club and former Town of Riverview lifeguard and swim instructor.

To ensure an unbiased decision, the applicants' names were omitted during the selection process. The panel reviewed each applicant's submission essay and reference letter, deliberated on their merits, and voted based on the leadership qualities the candidates exhibited both on and off the pool deck.

About the Scholarship

The Embracing Responsibility Scholarship was established by the Town of Riverview to recognize the contributions of Barb Hurlbut, who served as the former Aquatics Coordinator for over three decades. Inspired by her enduring legacy of mentoring lifeguards and instilling the values of water safety, this scholarship is designed to support the post-secondary pursuits of lifeguards and swim instructors at the Pat Crossman Memorial Aquatic Center.

Each year, the Embracing Responsibility Scholarship awards $2,000 to a single deserving individual who meets the eligibility requirements. Open to all lifeguards and swim instructors currently employed at the pool, this scholarship is a symbol of our commitment to their success.