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By MELISSA SOLAZZO
Staff Writer 

You don’t have to gamble to win money. Just apply early.

Sarah Hiseler, 18, a student in the Police Foundations program here, is now $1,000 richer, thanks to ontariocolleges.ca’s Apply Early and Win contest.

Hiseler won second place.

David Mantei, marketing and communications manager of Ontariocolleges.ca, presented Hiseler with the cheque in the Learning Commons at the Welland campus on Oct. 19.

When she first received an email from Ontario Colleges explaining that she had won, she says she didn’t believe it.

“I applied last year so when I got the email a few weeks ago, I wasn’t sure if it was legit.”

Hiseler plans to save the money for now and use it, as she needs it, for school-related items.

“I’m not going to go on a shopping spree,” says Hiseler.

She adds, “It was like winning the lottery. I didn’t expect it.”

Mantei says it is a possibility that Hiseler is the first student from Niagara College to place in the top three in the contest.

Mantei explained the contest starts in early October and runs until Jan. 15. There are three cash prizes to be won.

First place receives $2,000, second place receives $1,000 and third place receives $500.

Mantei says Hiseler was one of three winners chosen this year. There were about 90,000 applicants in the contest.

The winners are picked randomly in a draw.

He says the contest was created to help students with educational expenses. It is “fair game and anyone could win.”

Walter Greczko, chair of Justice and Social Studies here, says “We’re always thrilled when any of our students enjoys success,” and says he is happy for Hiseler.

Greczko says he likes the idea of the contest because it is a “good way to emphasize applying early.”

Mike Kershaw, a professor at Niagara College, teaches Hiseler in Canadian criminal justice.

He says, “She’s a good student.”

Kershaw says he found out three weeks ago Hiseler had won and he was “happy to see our students getting active and taking the steps to be proactive.”

“I think this is great. This is excellent,” he adds.

Hiseler says she is enjoying her time here and in her program, and hopes after she graduates to become a cop.

You can apply for the Apply Early and Win contest at www.ontariocolleges.ca.