Turk Mahan Scholarship

Tom “Turk” Mahan was one of the founding members of the ACT in Sherwood Park and received its first charter. Because of his work, and the work of others who helped establish the ACT in Sherwood Park, we have been able to provide many thousands of dollars to various charities and community organizations as well as many thousands of hours of volunteer work in an effort to make our community better and stronger. We honour this legacy by naming our scholarship in Turk’s memory.

Turk Mahan Scholarship
For over 50 years, the ACT in Sherwood Park has sought to help young people continue their studies after high school and we are one of the few scholarship programs that is focused on helping those whose career goals are the vocations not traditionally associated with degree-granting programs. Examples could include, but are not limited to:

• Skilled Trades and Construction (e.g. electrician, plumber, carpenter, etc.)
• Healthcare and Wellness (e.g. massage therapist, home health aid, etc.)
• Transportation (e.g. truck driver, flight attendant, rail conductor, etc.)
• Sales and Business (e.g. real estate agent, data entry, administrative assistant, etc.)

How to Qualify
Each year, the ACT in Sherwood Park provides a total of ten scholarships of up to $500 each. It is intended that one male (male presenting or non-binary) and one female (female presenting or nonbinary) student, from each of the five area high schools, can receive the scholarship provided they meet the following criteria:

• Must demonstrate financial need.
• Must provide proof of acceptance into the program which will lead to their intended career goal.
• Must have the recommendation of your high school counsellor and at least one teacher (preference is given to teachers who instruct in the area intended for a career).
• Must have performed volunteer service to charitable or other non-profit organizations (excluding churches). These hours must also include attendance at ACT regular meetings once each month (approximately 2 hours each, counting toward the total) for one year. Priority will be given to applicants who have volunteered with ACT Sherwood Park.
• Must provide a 300-word description of your intended career is, why you chose this path and explain why community volunteerism is important to you.

How to Apply
To apply for the Turk Mahan Scholarship:

1. Download and complete the scholarship application form from the ACT Sherwood Park website.
2. Ensure the form is completed in its entirety
3. Attach a copy of the required essay as well as any documentation needed to verify both the grade and volunteer hour commitment. Note: if the volunteer hours were completed at ACT-related events, please contact the president to verify).
4. Email the completed package to scholarship@actsherwoodpark.ca by May 1, 2026.

Questions?
If you have any questions about the scholarship, please email scholarship@actsherwoodpark.ca. If you would like information about the Al Williams Memorial Golf Tournament, which funds the Turk Mahban Scholarship, please email golf@actsherwoodpark.ca.