SCHOLARSHPS 2020

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Collin lost his life at the age of 24 years.  The dynamics of your family changes and your lives going forward take on new meaning to life itself. You move ahead with the hope of becoming a better person, one that will leave a footprint or trademark or make a difference in the life of someone else.

Collin grew up learning how to love, be honest, be compassionate, be respectful, have fun, work hard, be accountable for his actions and treat others as he would like to be treated himself. Collin impacted many people by the way he chose to live life himself. He possessed strong personal attributes that contributed to his very purpose in life. Collin passed away at a very young age but was really an old soul at heart.

I will share a compelling story that happened when Collin was in grade three. He came home from school and told me that he helped out one of his classmates that was being bullied in the school yard. Collin said that others kids were making fun of Tim because he didn’t have any hair. Collin said I think he is sick or something. The older kids were laughing and telling Tim how stupid he looked with no hair. Then they grabbed Tim’s ball cap and threw it on the ground and ran away taunting him. Collin said he walked over, picked up the ball cap, took Tim’s hand, told him I will be “your friend” and walked him home. 

Throughout Collin’s life he held positions on Student Council, planned fundraisers, taught Sunday School, volunteered hours of service throughout our communities and spent hours visiting with the young, the old and making friendships along the way. Time was taken for everyone and everything. He lived his life to the fullest wherever he went. Collin left his trademark and a footprint for us to follow.

Collin gave up his own life trying to save two others that had fallen in a manure tankard. 

We want the Collin LaRoche Memorial Scholarship to reflect Collin’s life, what he believed in and what he stood for. We did not want the scholarship to be based on academics. Everyone needs strong personal attributes in life to make a difference in others. We want to encourage graduates to be kind, to give a compliment, a smile, a hug, listen, or thank someone for a job well done. We want the recipient of the scholarship to be a witness to love, respect, compassion and friendship. We want the recipient to be a light and lamp to others by living this example within their family, community and workplace. 

We do not want to forget who Collin was and how he “Paid it Forward” in so many important ways.

The Collin LaRoche Memorial Scholarship is A $300.00 award given to a graduating student of the Birch Hills School who embraces and exemplifies the characteristics of friendship, love and respect. This scholarship is given in perpetuity and the recipient is chosen by the staff of the school. 

​"Gail’s life was colorful, adventurous and very rewarding" is the way her family 

describes Gail Hartsook.. .

Gail passed away suddenly in her home in Saskatoon in 2017 at the age of 71. Gail 

was the first born child  in a family of six children, growing up on a small farm in Saskatchewan. She excelled in school and after high school went on to Bible School and University.  Although she had no children of her own she was a special Auntie to her sibs kids as well as many of her friends' children.  Gail always encouraged excellence and furthering education in their chosen careers..

She was dedicated to each of her jobs and well respected by her peers. Her first position was in Vancouver in social work field, then she became Director of the Prince Albert Mobile Crisis Center for which she was instrumental in its inception. Other positions over the years took her to Chisaibi, Quebec, Duck Lake, Moose Jaw, Sturgeon Lake and Saskatoon in Saskatchewan..  She was usually in a leadership role and had the opportunity to use her extensive knowledge and expertise provide more and better services to those in need.  ​

Gail was a hard working individual who loved her work, her colleagues and her clients.  She especially enjoyed her work with and among First Nations People.  When she passed away the family discovered a way to benefit others as we sought to reduce taxes on Gail’s RRSP’s. We learned of the Prince Albert and Area Community Foundation and that we could establish a perpetuating legacy in her name, to be known as the Gail Hartsook fund. Because Gail’s expertise was in the area of Social Work, we are pleased to offer scholarships for students studying in this field.  

Scholarships to be awarded in 2020  - two of $2000.00  in Social Work & two of $1500.00 in Teacher's Aide.

In 1982 a group of Prince Albert business people joined to raise money to create the Prince Albert and District Community Scholarship Fund. It began with the idea that students who volunteer their time to make Prince Albert and community a better place should be rewarded for it. That philosophy still remains and is the basis for the Tillie and Joe Kawula memorial scholarship and also the Hershel Davidner Memorial Scholarship. Academic standing is a factor however community involvement and volunteerism will carry the largest influence in determining recipients. 

The Tillie and Joe Kawula Scholarship is named after Tillie Kawula and her husband Joe. Tillie was an outstanding community volunteer and Citizen of the Year. For over 25 years this scholarship has provided help to local high school graduates pursuing post–secondary education.

The Hershel Davidner Memorial Scholarship is named after the late Hershel Davidner who passed away in 2013. Davidner’s Clothing and Western Wear Ltd family business has been owned and operated in Prince Albert for over 70 years. During those years, Mr. Davidner donated greatly to students through scholarships in post-secondary education. 

These two scholarships will be awarded to students entering a post secondary school. Two $1,000 awards will be given away annually. One application form will apply to both awards. 

These scholarships are open to Grade 12 graduates from Saskatchewan Rivers School Division, Prince Albert Roman Catholic School Division and Saskatchewan Polytechnic Prince Albert Grade 12 Academic Program.

 2020 APPLICATION DEADLINE IS MONDAY, JUNE 1 , 2020

Applications may be mailed or delivered to:

Prince Albert & District Community Scholarship Fund

C/0 Pat Weir 

281 Riverside Drive

Prince Albert, SK S6V 2W9

pat@patweir.ca

306 961 2124

OFFERING TW0 $1,000.00 Awards

APPLICATION FORM – DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION – MONDAY, June 1, 2020