Osoyoos Secondary School grad Tanisha Gill is this year’s winner of the (Osoyoos) Times-Chronicle bursary for $1,000. She plans to pursue a business degree this fall. (Photo contributed)
Times-Chronicle Staff
A leader and role model among youth in Osoyoos is pursuing a business degree, which is her way of making a difference in the world.
Tanisha Gill recently graduated from Osoyoos Secondary School, winning various accolades, including the Times-Chronicle bursary for $1,000.
Gill’s academic awards include the Principal and Vice-Principal’s List and the Honour Role (she maintained a near 4.0 grade point average). She will soon be attending Okanagan College to obtain her Bachelor of Business Administration degree.
Gill has taken a great interest in becoming a leader; she was a member of the Rattler Club and Student Parliament.
But it was her volunteer efforts that truly made high school better for everyone. She planned and set up many “Spirit Day” events and spent countless hours scorekeeping basketball and volleyball games. She was the captain of her volleyball team, which taught her how to be an effective leader.
In an effort to raise money for the school’s drama program, she went door-to-door selling chocolates.
Gill played a role in the school’s musical productions of Shrek and The Addams Family.
“It was a large leap out of my comfort zone, but I don’t regret it for a second. It taught me to try new things and not let stereotypes hold me back,” she said.
Over the years at OSS, Gill mentored numerous younger students in helping with their transition to high school.
At one point she helped run a summer camp for at-risk youth (through Desert Sun).
High school teacher Sarah Gilchrist said Gill has proven herself to be a goal-orientated and motivated individual, striving to be a good role model for all students.
“She does not hesitate to support, compliment and build up others, and often speaks from her heart,” Gilchrist said.
