CIBC Youthvision Scholarships awarded to 30 Grade 10 students

Unique for targeting students at a young age, annual program provides critical tools for success: Tuition, mentorship and job experience

TORONTO, June 13, 2016 /CNW/ - CIBC (TSX:CM) (NYSE:CM) announced today this year's 30 Grade 10 recipients of the CIBC Youthvision™ Scholarship Program. Valued at up to $38,000 each, the scholarships will help make it possible for these high-potential students to attend college or university and reach their full potential.

Each year, CIBC commits more than $1 million to the CIBC Youthvision Scholarship Program. Since its inception in 1998, that commitment has totalled $16 million to help improve the lives of more than 530 Canadian youth.

"Words cannot describe how sincerely thankful and relieved I feel to have been selected for the CIBC Youthvision scholarship," says Crystal Wilson, a CIBC Youthvision recipient from Mission, B.C., who cares for her chronically ill mother. "I am beyond overjoyed to know that my dreams for a future in post-secondary education will come alive with far less to worry about, and I have been further inspired to see my true potential. This scholarship has opened so many doors for my future, and I can't wait to explore and discover what lies ahead."

This program is unique in that it begins in Grade 10 and supports the student for up to six years, depending on the length of their post-secondary pursuits. During that time, the students are given annual paid summer internships, dedicated mentorship and funding for tuition. Partnering with the YMCA as administrator of the internship program, and Big Brothers Big Sisters, CIBC Youthvision targets Grade 10s when many are at-risk of losing focus at school due to peer pressure, lack of role models and financial pressures.

"CIBC Youthvision is about investing in young people and giving them the opportunity to nurture their abilities and reach for their dreams," says Veni Iozzo, Senior Vice-President, Communications and Public Affairs, CIBC. "Each year, we are so impressed by all of the recipients and the accomplishments they have made so far. On behalf of CIBC, congratulations to this year's winners. We are honored to help them grow in their education and pursuit of excellence."

The 2016 recipients are:

Jalen Albers-Wallace	Hamilton, ON
Jemelia Allen-Brown	Oshawa, ON
Cassandra Bernard	Coquitlam, BC
Samantha Burridge	Prescott, ON
Sarangan Chandrakumar	Toronto (Scarborough)
Sarah Chief	Saskatoon
Jacob Dalling	Vancouver
Amy Dawkins	Collingwood, ON
Kingsley Dworin	Toronto
Natasha English	Guelph, ON
Aiyanna Glenister	Saskatoon
Krishnavenkata Gorantla	Toronto (Scarborough)
Matthew Goulborn	Stoney Creek, ON
Sharon Huang	Vancouver
Shahrukh Khan	Hamilton, ON
Calleena Kokoski	St. Catharine's, ON
Paulina Martin	Port Moody, BC
Jessica Mayhew	Niagara Falls, ON
Kiara Overton	Edmonton
Maria Pedraza-Kercher	Burnaby, BC
Zachary Piette	London, ON
Anosha Riaz	Calgary
Shamary Stinson	Hamilton, ON
Ani Su	Vancouver
Joanna Tran	Vancouver
Benite Umukundwa	Hamilton, ON
Rhea Verma	Brampton, ON
Jewel-Rose Marie White	Hamilton, ON
Crystal Wilson	Mission, BC
Yunni Yang	Toronto

To date, CIBC has invested more than $16 million in the CIBC Youthvision Program to help improve the lives of more than 530 Canadian youth.

About CIBC
CIBC is a leading Canadian-based global financial institution with 11 million personal banking and business clients. Through our three major business units – Retail and Business Banking, Wealth Management and Capital Markets – CIBC offers a full range of products and services through its comprehensive electronic banking network, branches and offices across Canada with offices in the United States and around the world. Ongoing news releases and more information about CIBC can be found at www.cibc.com/ca/media-centre/ or by following on Twitter @CIBC, Facebook (www.facebook.com/CIBC) and Instagram @CIBCNow.

About the CIBC Youthvision Scholarship Program
Each year the CIBC Youthvision Scholarship program commits more than $1 million to make post-secondary education dreams a reality for high-potential grade 10 students. This one-of-a-kind program is awarded at the critical time in grade 10, which research shows relieves financial stress, builds confidence and self-esteem and encourages independence by enabling life and educational planning. Now in its 18^th year, this program has helped more than 530 students. To be eligible, Grade 10 students must be enrolled in a mentoring program with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada or the YMCA. For more information visit www.cibc.com/youthvision.

SOURCE Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

or to interview a scholarship winner, a representative from YMCA, Big Brothers Big Sisters or CIBC, please contact: Caroline Van Hasselt, Director of External Communications, 416-784-6699 or [email protected]