SCHOLARSHPS 2025

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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.

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 waste tankard. 

We want the Collin LaRoche Memorial Scholarship to reflect Collin’s life, what he believed in and  stood for, not based on academics. Everyone needs strong personal. 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 BIRCH HILLS school. 

Winner of Award 2024 

- Owen Sinden

​"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.  

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.  

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.  

Winners of Award 2024 

- Meagan Nolan

- Nathan Ballantyne

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 more than 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 more than 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.  

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

2024 Winners of Scholarships of $1000 each - Payten Keyowski, Skyler Preston    

(See additional information and How to Apply for 2025 - below in "Downloads")