More than 30 of the 48 graduating students from the Class of 2012 at Osoyoos Secondary School received some kind of scholarship, bursary or award during this past Saturday’s graduation ceremony, which was held before a packed house in the OSS gymnasium. The financial awards ranged from $100 to $3,000 for top academic achievers. Photo by Keith Lacey.
The amount of community support for the students of Osoyoos Secondary School never ceases to amaze, said OSS principal Glen Heinrichs and vice-principal Shannon Miller during graduation ceremonies for the 2011-2012 graduating class.
Close to $60,000 in scholarships, bursaries and donations were handed out to students at Saturday’s graduation ceremony, held before a packed house of parents, siblings, family members, co-workers and friends in the gymnasium at OSS.
More than half of the 48 graduating students received a bursary, scholarship or donation to officially wrap up the ceremony.
As Miller explained to those gathered, the school has a scholarship committee made up of teachers, administrators and parents and they hand out the vast majority of scholarships based on academic achievement. Numerous bursaries and awards handed out by private citizens and businesses are selected by the donor and the scholarship committee has no say on which students receive those benefits, said Miller.
“We’re tired by criteria for most of our scholarships and a large majority of the donors chose their own recipients from the private donations, but the school does its best so we can help as many students as we possibly can to pursue their post-secondary studies,” she said.
A total of eight students received multiple scholarships and bursaries in excess of $2,000. They include Austin Stickle ($2,000), Navjit Gill ($2,000), Miranda Pendergraft ($3,250), Dylan Holz ($4,250), Tyson Costa ($4,250), Tianna Smith ($4,500), Colten Wimmer ($4,500) and Karlene Carvalho ($6,500).
A total of five students received scholarships and bursaries ranging from $1,000 to $2,000. They include Harman Rai ($1,050), Larresha Moeder ($1,200), Simmy Kaler ($1,250), Jessica Kriese ($1,500) and Shawna Mundi ($1,750).
A total of 20 students received scholarships and bursaries ranging from $100 to $1,000. They include Jacob Tilson, Joey Gray, Robert Ganton-Horne, Riley Bowling, Randi Ball, Nikolas Dos Santos, Dane Mendes, Kelvin Doggett, Mitchell Kelly, Tyann Stuckey, Joe Gross, Manvir Gill, Sami Newth, Keri Brar, Brianne Weir, Jordan Koffler, Clayton Hass, Nicole Malcolm and Candace Sapach.
