Scholarship includes tuition, paid summer internships at YMCA and

mentoring to help Creer reach his full potential

COBOURG, ON, June 9, 2010: CIBC is pleased to announce that Connor Creer of Cobourg District Collegiate Institute East is among the 30 Grade 10 students from across Canada receiving the 2010 CIBC Youthvision® Scholarship awards, the only scholarship program in Canada awarded to Grade 10 students.

The CIBC Youthvision Scholarship, delivered through CIBC’s unique partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada and YMCA Canada, combines post-secondary tuition, paid summer internships at the YMCA and mentoring support to help youth reach their full potential. This year’s crop of winners brings the total number of scholarships awarded to Grade 10 students across Canada to 360, representing a multi-year commitment by CIBC of more than $10 million for this program.

“Winning this scholarship makes me feels like I have accomplished a lot no matter what has been thrown into life,” said Creer. “This scholarship means I can achieve my goals and even aim higher. I’m looking forward to working with the YMCA in the summer months and feel I have a lot to offer. I am very happy to have received this because now I can afford to go on to college or university without the financial worries involved with post-secondary education.  I look at this as a great opportunity to move forward on my journey through life.”

Creer met the main eligibility requirement of being enrolled in a mentoring program with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada or the YMCA. He is a member of Northumberland Big Brothers Big Sisters.

"I feel Connor has the potential and desire to continue his education after high school," said Steve Johnston, Creer's Big Brother. “He won the Undergrad Math Award in Grade 9 and continues to excel in his math studies. He is quite willing to offer assistance when asked, and has over 65 community hours accumulated so far. He has been a Junior Counsellor at Northern Lights and enjoys playing sports, particularly hockey where he has played on both all-star and house league teams. Connor is a hardworking and responsible person who will benefit greatly from this scholarship, which is setting him on the path to a bright future."

Creer will receive six summer internships through the YMCA that begin right after Grade 10, valued at up to $20,000; and tuition for four years at the Canadian university or college of his choice, valued at up to $16,000. He also will receive ongoing mentoring until he graduates from his post-secondary education.

“The CIBC Youthvision Scholarship Program is unique in that it targets young people who might not otherwise have the opportunity to pursue a university or college education and supports them in completing both their high school and post-secondary studies,” said Kim Baudouin, Director, Higher Education Scholarships, Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC). “As administrator of the program, AUCC is proud to partner with CIBC, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada and the YMCA to reach out to high school students through this program.”

“It is inspiring to see how deserving young people like Connor are and how hard they work towards their goals,” said Larry Tomei, CIBC’s Senior Vice-President of Retail Markets for Central Canada. “The CIBC Youthvision Scholarship is added encouragement for Connor to realize his academic dreams and his full potential.”

Liam LaTouche received his CIBC Youthvision Scholarship in 2001 and graduated in 2007 from the University of Western Ontario with an Honours Bachelor of Science Specialization in Kinesiology. “The CIBC Youthvision Scholarship opened so many doors for me,” he said. “It gave me the chance to grow as a person and along the career path I always dreamed of. I knew I wanted to go to university to get where I wanted to be, but I didn’t have the means to go. I would have had a ton of debt from student loans. Getting the scholarship was so overwhelming. It gave me the chance to leave home and tailor my career path towards sports medicine by studying at Western, which has propelled me in my field.”

CIBC is committed to supporting causes that matter to our clients, employees and our communities.  We aim to make a difference in communities through corporate donations, sponsorships and the volunteer spirit of employees.  With a strategic focus on youth, education and health, and employee commitment to causes including the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure, the CIBC Children’s Foundation and United Way, we are investing in the social and economic development of communities across the country. In 2009, $26.8 million was contributed through the CIBC group of companies to charitable and non-profit initiatives in Canada, supporting a wide variety of national, regional and local organizations. To learn more, visit www.communitymatters.cibc.com.

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To arrange an interview with Connor or for more information, please contact Doug Maybee, CIBC, at 416-980-7458 or doug.maybee@cibc.com