Grand Forks and Castlegar students win Interfor scholarship
By Contributor
Nine British Columbia students have received $2,000 each this year through Interfor Corporation’s Dal Shemko Memorial Scholarship to help them achieve their academic and career goals.
Grand Forks’, Connor Hawes, is one of the lucky recipients. Hawes, who attends Grand Forks Secondary School in Grand Forks, plans to go to the University of British Columbia – Okanagan to work towards a degree in forestry. Connor has worked as a wildland firefighter and is training to be a volunteer firefighter for the City of Grand Forks.
Another West Kootenay winner, Justine Kniertis (Castlegar) is seeking a degree in medicine at the University of British Columbia – Okanagan so she can become involved in medical research. Justine is a volunteer at the local BC SPCA and is a member of the Okanagan Cat Coalition, which cares for stray cats and helps to find them homes.
Other winners include:
- Naadiya Ahmedabadi (Acorn, Delta), who attends Seaquam Secondary School in Delta, BC, plans to go to the University of British Columbia to pursue a career in medicine. Naadiya has been part of the Seaquam Solutions Society, a school club that aims to raise awareness and funds for local and global issues.
- Brittany Armstrong (Hammond, Maple Ridge), will attend Selkirk College to earn a degree in nursing, and then aim to further her education for a career in specialized pediatrics. Brittany has volunteered at the Ridge Meadows Hospital, Maple Ridge Baptist Church and the Maple Ridge Public Library.
- Braxten Barnes (Coastal Woodlands, Campbell River), who attends Carihi Secondary School in Campbell River, BC, plans to go to the University of Victoria to pursue a career in medicine. Braxten has coached various baseball, volleyball and basketball teams, and helped organize and keep score for Special Olympics basketball.
- Janelle Daigle (Adams Lake) has received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Behavioural Sciences, and is now seeking a Bachelor of Education degree from Ambrose University. Janelle has been volunteering with Hull Services, a non-profit organization that provides behavioral and mental
- Ian Johnstone (Head Office, Vancouver), who attends Sentinel Secondary School in West Vancouver, BC, plans to go to the University of Western Ontario to study business so he can become a sports journalist and entrepreneur. Ian has been involved in student government and school clubs at Sentinel.
- Lucas McKinnon (Metrotown, Burnaby), who attends Maple Ridge Secondary School in Maple Ridge, BC, plans to go to Kwantlen Polytechnic University to study musical arts so he can become a performer, composer or teacher. Lucas assisted the music director at the Haney Summer Music Camp.
- Finnley Power (Metrotown, Burnaby), who attends Thomas Haney Secondary School in Maple Ridge, BC, plans to go to the University of British Columbia – Okanagan to study environmental science and pursue a career as an environmental engineer, with a focus on ecology. Finnley has been a volunteer with his school’s leadership program.
They were chosen for their academic achievements, volunteer and community contributions, and educational and career goals. All have parents or guardians who work in Interfor’s BC Operations.
“The Dal Shemko Memorial Scholarship demonstrates our commitment to our employees and the communities where we operate,” Duncan Davies, Interfor’s President & CEO. “We are proud to recognize these nine students and support their academic goals. We wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors.”
The Dal Shemko Memorial Scholarship honours the life of a long-time Interfor employee.
