Rivers was from Decker, MB. During his time at Brandon College Rivers won the Brandon College General Proficiency Award in his second year, the Presidents’ Scholarship in Science, the Anglo-Can Oils Ltd. Scholarship in Chemistry, the Doigs’ Store Ltd. Scholarship in Maths, and the Joseph Donaldson Memorial Scholarship in Physics.
In his graduating year Poole won the University of Manitoba gold medal, the Lietenant Governor's medal, the Brandon College gold medal, Brandon College silver medals in Math and Physics, and had an honorable mention in Chemistry.