Amber Kirwan never got to live her dream of becoming a nurse, but she continues to have a special impact on the nursing program at the Nova Scotia Community College campus in Stellarton, where she had applied to be a student.
Kirwan's parents received her program acceptance letter just two days before police found her body on a property in Heathbell, Nova Scotia.
Now the Kirwans and the Stellarton campus have established the Amber Kirwan memorial fund, which will be distributed annually to nursing students attending the school.
"Hopefully we'll be able to give that to a student coming in to the nursing program here, since nursing was the program that Amber was hoping to attain," says NSCC principal David Freckleton.
Students in the office administration course have already jumped into action to contribute to the project. They recently held a used clothing sale that raised more than $700 for the cause.
"I think the whole community is trying to help out and figuring out something they can do to help out," says NSCC student Chantelle Fiander. "The scholarship is a really good way because she went to school here."
"We had a moment of silence in the class and I could see that the students really had feelings, of course, deep feelings of being overwhelmed because of that event as well," says NSCC instructor Doreen Haley.
Those who wish to contribute to the fund can drop donations in collection jars around the campus and donations are also being accepted at any NSCC across the province.
"What better way could you find to have somebody so special live on in everybody's hearts than to set up a memorial fund through the school that she went to, and everybody loved her," says NSCC student Corrina Reynolds.
Whether it's in the form of a scholarship or a bursary, Freckleton says he hopes enough money can be raised so the Amber Kirwan Award can be presented to a nursing student this June.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Bruce Frisko
