All of the focussed recipients below have received scholarships from funds administered by the SOSS Enrichment Fund Society,
and we are proud to be part of their accomplishments.
Riley Martin - Class of 2010
Parents - John and Tanya Martin
Sibling - TJ Martin - SOSS Class of 2008
I received the J.L. Wight Family Scholarship when I graduated from SOSS in 2010. After a gap year to travel and take time after an injury to decide exactly which direction I wanted to go, I started my post secondary education at Okanagan College in Kelowna in 2011. I took four years to complete this undergraduate degree with a major in Finance. After another gap year spent in Australia and New Zealand, I entered graduate school at Thompson Rivers University in 2016 to complete my Master's Degree in Business Administration. I applied most of my coursework during this degree to the nonprofit sector, which is where I was also most focused professionally:
I was on the board of Highway to Healing Support Society in Oliver from 2013 - 2019, and I was the Treasurer of BC Wheelchair Basketball Society from 2014 - 2018.
I loved to apply what I was learning to those causes, and I am sure that those positions are not the last of my non-profit endeavours.
After another gap year after grad school to travel and live in Germany, I entered Law School in 2018 at the University of Victoria and graduated with my Juris Doctor degree in 2021. I took a broad range of courses in that degree to figure out what type of law I found most interesting, but still ended up focusing most of my research on financial and business law. After law school in Victoria I naturally came back to live in the Okanagan, and started work with an internship in a law firm here before putting that on pause to take a shot at reaching the Paralympics by swimming for Team Canada.
The scholarship that I originally received in 2010 set off a chain of events that helped me grow, both personally and professionally, into who I am today. With financial help from the enrichment fund I had less stress about paying for my undergrad, which helped me get more out of my classes and let me volunteer and gain experience along the way. This factor helped me get into grad school and exceed in law school. I am very thankful to the SOSS Enrichment Fund for both jumpstarting my professional life after high school, and for affording me an education that is not possible for many people. I feel very privileged to have been supported by the Enrichment Fund.
Gabriella Martine - Class of 2011
Parents: Lori and Bernie Martine
Siblings: Cheryce, Juliana and Thierry Martine
I graduated from SOSS in 2011 and 11 years later I am finally done with my schooling! It’s been a long road and it all started in Oliver where I was fortunate enough to receive the Nick Jones Memorial Scholarship. This helped me immensely when I started my studies at Simon Fraser University in Biological Sciences. All my teachers, during my time at SOSS were amazing, but I do especially recognize my science teachers, Miss Timmins, Mr Gruntman and Mr Wurflinger for dedicating their energy to introducing teens to the sciences.
When I entered my studies at SFU I honestly wasn’t sure where the journey would take me, but after a few years, I finally decided that being in a big city or university laboratory was not for me. After much deliberation I applied to medical school and attended the UBC Southern Medical Program (in Kelowna) from 2016-2020. It was here where I fell in love with full-service family medicine. It combined many different facets of medicine that I enjoyed including hospital medicine, clinic-based medicine and maternity care (which I have a particular passion for). There is nothing so special as helping a family welcome their newest member into the world. After completing medical school, I started my residency in family medicine in Prince George and now, in 2022, I am a newly fledged family physician.
One of the best things about family medicine is the ability to work anywhere. During my training I have worked in Port McNeill, Inuvik, and Salmon Arm doing rural family medicine. I have loved living in Prince George and exploring its phenomenal wilderness. Throughout my medical training, backcountry camping has become a staple of my work-life balance; a perfect way to disconnect and unwind. I am still not sure where I may end up calling home, but for now I am excited to be exploring BCs many amazing communities and the surrounding mountains!
Ryan Bonnett - Class of 2002
Name: Ryan Bonnett
Parents: Rob and Pam Bonnett
Siblings: Jordan and Ariana Bonnett
Spouse: Christie Bonnett
Children: Madison, Abigail, and Rowin
Location: New Westminster, BC
After graduating from SOSS in 2002 and receiving the Jack McKay scholarship to assist with my post-secondary education I attended the University of British Columbia’s Vancouver Campus. From 2002 to 2007 I completed my applied sciences undergraduate degree with distinction in Civil Engineering.
During my undergraduate program I entered into the co-op work experience program at UBC and worked in several placement positions in various potential fields of Civil Engineering. Through my co-op work experience I found myself gravitating toward the fast-paced and dynamic construction sector. Upon graduation from UBC, I joined Peter Kiewit Sons ULC (Kiewit) full time following being introduced to the company during my final co-op work term. Kiewit is a large construction and engineering company that operates across North America. I have since enjoyed 15yrs of experience working with the company and have been a shareholder for over 10 of those years.
Through my career, I have had an opportunity to gain experience on several exciting large infrastructure projects that have helped shaped our Province; including the Sea to Sky Highway Improvements completed ahead of the 2010 winter Olympics, and the Port Mann Highway One project which saw the replacement of the old Port Mann Bridge with the new cable stay bridge across the Fraser River. Projects like these have allowed me to gain the expertise in the management of design on very large and complex Design-Build and Public Private Partnership construction projects for both public and private sector clients, and to be an integral part of their construction.
In my current role I am a Design-Build Manager for the Western Canada Region and am responsible for the management and integration of Engineering on our large mega projects. In this role I am currently managing the engineering on the portions of the Trans Mountain Expansion Project that Kiewit is constructing.
My wife Christie Bonnett (also an SOSS graduate) and I currently live in New Westminster, BC with our three children Madison (8), Abigail (5), and Rowin (2). We have lived in the Lower Mainland since completing our undergraduate degrees; however, we have maintained a strong connection to the South Okanagan, frequently returning to Oliver due to our ties to both friends and family that have always made this community home.
I am very thankful for being selected as a representative alumni to be featured this year by the SOSS Enrichment Society, and will always be grateful for the support that the enrichment fund provided to me in completing my post-secondary education and eventually finding the rewarding career I enjoy.
Jenna Hesselgrave - Class of 2011
Parents: Scott and Mary-Ellen Hesselgrave
Sibling: Amanda Hesselgrave
My name is Jenna Hesselgrave and I was a recipient of the Francis Family Scholarship in 2011. After graduation, I attended the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus, where I obtained a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2015. I then moved back to Oliver and worked at the South Okanagan General Hospital for three and a half years. I started out as a casual employee on the acute care ward, and shortly thereafter, I was able to secure a permanent full-time line. After two years in this position, I moved into a float line where I continued to work on the acute care ward, as well as medical daycare and the emergency department. This is where I first developed my passion for emergency nursing.
In January 2018, I began online classes through the University of Northern British Columbia and I completed the Rural Nursing Certificate in Foundations of Emergency and Trauma Nursing. A practicum within this course then led to a new career opportunity for myself, and in September 2018, I began working in the emergency department at the Vernon Jubilee Hospital. Working in a larger medical centre has been an eye-opening experience compared to the rural nursing practices I had become accustomed to. In September 2019, I then decided to pursue my Emergency Nursing Specialty through the British Columbia Institute of Technology, which I was able to bridge into as a result of my previously completed coursework. I finalized this specialty in June 2020. I thoroughly enjoy the ever-changing, fast-paced, and challenging environment that the emergency department provides. Each shift I gain new experiences, expand my knowledge, and I am pushed outside of my comfort zone.
The scholarship provided by the SOSS Enrichment Fund Society was a true gift, and it made me proud knowing that my efforts in high school were recognized by others. The scholarship directly impacted my future and allowed me to take full advantage of my college experience and focus on my learning. Your generosity will not be forgotten, and I hope to one day be able to help others further their education, just as you did for me. Becoming a registered nurse is definitely my biggest life accomplishment thus far and I want to sincerely thank you for helping me reach the goal I set out for myself. I understand how fortunate I am to have found a career I genuinely enjoy and I am passionate about, and I would not be in the position I am if it weren’t for your support.
Brad Burnett - Class of 1999
Name: Brad Burnett
Parents: Ken and Penny Burnett
Siblings: Cory
Current Location: Surrey
“Higher education changed the trajectory of my life and fundamentally changed my perception of the world. I was the first in my immediate family to go to university and experience that benefit. The bursaries I received helped fund a different life and created new opportunities for me.”
“I know I am fortunate to have received a university education. The position I am in today was made easier because of the financial support I received. My community supported me; people I didn’t know. I found that beautiful and inspiring. I knew I wanted to repay that gesture and continue it for the next generation, motivating others to do the same.”
“This bursary will survive my lifetime and is one of my proudest and most rewarding moments. Plus, it was easy to set up. SOSS Enrichment Fund Society’s John Echlin guided me through every step. He showed me how I could donate within my means.”
“Give back. It's worth it. Create, or contribute to, a bursary or scholarship. Become a mentor. Inspire others to be better. Your actions reveal your priorities. Not your words.”
Brad graduated from SOSS in 1999. His parents, Ken and Penny Burnett, and grandparents, Jack and Doreen Burnett, are Oliver residents, His brother Cory, also graduated from SOSS in 2001. Brad received a co-conferred BBA (Hons.) degree from Okanagan College and the University of British Columbia - Okanagan, graduating with distinction in 2007. Most recently, Brad earned his CFA Charter in 2020. He is employed by Prospera Credit Union as a Senior Treasure Analyst.
Brad’s generous donation to the SOSS Enrichment Fund Society will perpetuate an annual $500 scholarship, and in June 2019, Brad’s first $500 scholarship, the Burnett Bump Scholarship, was awarded to an SOSS graduating student.
On behalf of the Enrichment Fund Society and SOSS, thank you Brad.
Jared Lee - Class of 2003
My name is Jared Lee and I am a proud Southern Okanagan Secondary 2003 alumni. Upon graduation I was honoured to receive the Nick Jones Memorial Scholarship. I believe the Scholarship Program is a wonderful part of the school leaving process. Financially It assists so many students to make the step into post-secondary education to attain the skills and knowledge needed for adult life. Since my graduation I have obtained an Entertainment Business Management certificate, an undergraduate degree in Social Sciences and a Masters of Business Administration. In 2014 I cofounded a company that created a restaurant and sports club in downtown Kelowna. Central Kitchen & Bar and Central Sports Club have been
Name: Jared Lee
Parents: Ron and Roxie Lee
Siblings: Kelsey and Robyn
Current Location: Kelowna
Award: Nick Jones Memorial Scholarship
embraced by the city. As a result we were recognized in 2017/2018 as Best Employer Kelowna and won the B.C. Best Small Business award for Best Employer 2017. In addition to my career in hospitality, I have been fortunate to enter the world of real estate investment which has always been a passion of mine. I am a firm believer in diversifying your interests throughout your life in efforts to continuously challenge yourself and always continue to learn.Through hard work and the encouragement of my amazing girlfriend Isabella and my family, I am grateful to be passionately living an exciting life. I’ve learned along the way that happiness and success is also about giving back. I continue to be a part of Oliver the town that raised me by joining my family every June to honour a very deserving young grad who has grown in character and perseverance. We donate to an Inspiration Award to help a student who has overcome obstacles through difficult circumstances to make great accomplishments. Thank you to the Scholarship Committee and all the dedicated people that make it happen for the graduates each year.
Chris Martiniuk - Class of 2006
Name: Chris Martiniuk
Parents: Lannie and Julie Martiniuk
Siblings: Jay and Tim Martiniuk
Current Location: Toronto
Graduated: 2006
Award: Robert McDowell Scholarship
In the summer of 2008, I started my private pilots license at Southern Interior Flight Centre in Kelowna and finished it by the end of the August to enter into the two year Commercial Aviation Diploma Program through the flight school in conjunction with Okanagan College.
After my first year of the program, I had completed my commercial pilots license and worked on my flight instructor rating so I would have a job once I finished my diploma. I was very fortunate to be offered a job as a flight instructor before finishing my program in May of 2010. Getting to teach people how to fly in the Okanagan was one of my favorite jobs in my career thus far as I was able to enjoy beautiful BC from the air and the ground for over two years.
I moved on from instructing in the winter of 2011 to fly cargo for Fedex based out of Calgary. I flew what would have been a 20 passenger aircraft stuffed with boxes throughout Saskatchewan, Alberta, and BC. I was promoted to a captain position and eventually became a training pilot and base manager. I thoroughly enjoyed learning a more complex aircraft and flying in difficult terrain but was ready to move on to doing what I always had wanted, flying passengers.
I started working for a small charter airline in Calgary flying Dash 8s to the oil sands in early 2014. I flew for them for close to a year before flying the Dash 8 for Canadian North Airlines in the high arctic based out of Yellowknife and Iqaluit. One of the highlights of my career was flying in a part of our country that very few people have visited and learning what it is like to live in northern Canada.
After a brief stint at Canadian North, I left to move south again and fly for Jazz Aviation under the Air Canada Express banner. I felt that I was finally in the big leagues, flying the Bombardier Q400 into many big cities and small towns from Victoria all the way to St. John’s Newfoundland. At this point I was ready to make the big move east to live in Toronto where the ultimate goal lay ahead. Flying for mainline Air Canada. I was fortunate to have met my partner there who I am now engaged, and many other friends along the way.
I was with Jazz for close to three years eventually leaving in early 2018 as a training pilot and simulator instructor to move to Air Canada. I had finally made it! I have now completed over a year at “Big Red” and couldn’t be happier and would not be where I am today if it was not for the support of all the people along the way. My teachers at SOSS, my parents, brothers, Jay and Tim, my grandma and my amazing fiancé Nick. I look forward to continuing to travel the world for both pleasure and work. If you have the dream you can achieve it. I’ve seen it happen.
Spencer Hunt - Class of 2008
I graduated from SOSS in June of 2006 and was very fortunate to receive the Robert McDowell Scholarship from the Enrichment Fund Society. After graduation I attended Simon Fraser University in Vancouver as a history major. Though I enjoyed university and life in Vancouver, I realized that my head was still in the clouds and knew I wanted to pursue my dream since I was five to be an airline pilot.
I took the next year off from school to work for my parents, Julie and Lanny Martiniuk on the family vineyard and build up some funds for the very expensive schooling that is training to be a pilot.
Parents: Rick & Dawn Hunt
Current Location: Toronto, ON
Award: Francis Family Scholarship
When I was asked to provide a bio for the SOSS Enrichment Fund Society, my first task was to gather inspiration from what fellow recipients had included in their bios. As I perused their write-ups, I could not help but be impressed with all the accomplishments they have achieved following their time at SOSS, and it made me reflect on what has helped shaped me into who I am as well. Former recipients have studied exciting and impressive areas such as business, nursing, writing, and fine art. However, I think I had the opportunity to study one of the most thrilling areas of the bunch: math! Now I know what you’re thinking, “ooh I hated math in school--so boring.” But most people don’t get to see the flashy side of mathematics, and SOSS was my launch pad into that space.
I grew up in the small town of Okanagan Falls, just outside of Oliver. OK Falls was a beautiful place to grow up, and the small town environment had a huge impact in shaping who I am today. Growing up there, I often took the town for granted, and now that I live in a bustling city, it’s nice to go home to a quiet space and relax when I’m visiting family.
I’d always been pretty good at math, but my love for the subject really developed in Grade 12 when I had Mr. Gruntman for both math and calculus. It was here that he showed me that math wasn’t just about memorizing steps or solving for x, but rather it was a tool for examining real world problems--biology, physics, economics, and social sciences (the list really goes on and on).
Following, high school I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of British Columbia, Okanagan campus in Kelowna. It was there where I honed my more ‘tactical’ mathematical skills and really started to learn how to use math as a tool. I worked with differential equations to understand how systems change over time, examined financial models, and even tried to figure out how the leopard got its spots (yes, that was a real class).
My mathematics journey did not end after I completed my undergraduate, however. I made a big move to Hamilton, ON to complete my Masters of Science in mathematics at McMaster University. There I actually used mathematics to study how diseases spread not only in populations but also within the body itself. Among many other academics, I discovered that math is not just a tool used to hammer at scientific questions, but it also something that can be constructed to reflect the world around us. Historically, math was never used to understand how diseases spread until someone decided to make it up! New mathematics weren’t just created to understand how diseases spread, but also to learn why certain art perspectives are more ‘pleasing to the eye’; why it’s impossible to measure the coastline perfectly; and how to comb hair on a ball, if a ball had hair (I told you math was thrilling). It was during this time, I discovered that math wasn’t just a tool to be used, but rather something with which to create and recreate. Math was also a toy to play with.
Since completing my Master’s, I have moved to Toronto, and I now work at CIBC as a business and costing analyst. While I’m not examining the spread of the newly resurgent measles virus or combing hairy balls, I still get to use math as a tool (and sometimes a toy) to explore business related problems. I’d like to continue in this direction into the world of data science. This emerging field is kind of like putting computer science, mathematics, and statistics into a blender and drinking whatever juice comes out. It’s exploratory, novel, and ever changing. I’m confident that I have the skills and experience to continue on this path, and I want to thank the SOSS Enrichment Fund Society for helping me to acquire these skills.
Melanie Coles - Class of 2003
Parents: Suzanne Coles, Bryan Coles,
Sibling: Carolyn Coles
Current Location: London, UK
Awards: Pat McGibbon Memorial Scholarship
On my walk to and from school in Oliver I would pass the Arabian Horses on Sawmill Road by the river, sticking my camera through the chain link fence to take pictures. Now, every morning as I open the doors to the art gallery where I work in London, I see the Royal Horse Guard go past in their capes and hats as Big Ben strikes the hour. It’s bizarre when moments like this become routine, just horses by the river. I can’t say the sixteen year old version of myself would have pondered this current reality, I would have though taken those photographs of horses and meticulously pieced them into some form of collage, a practice that I have spent the past 15 years pursuing.
My parents were incredibly supportive when I told them I wanted to apply to Emily Carr University of Art in Vancouver. They could see it was the one thing I was clearly driven towards. They didn't get upset by my endless piles of paper, paint and strange objects filling the basement or the countless sleepless nights I stayed up working on my acceptance portfolio. They never once suggested I study something more practical. A few weeks later a letter from Emily Carr came to the post box at Rural Route 3 saying I had been accepted to start that fall.
Moving from Oliver to Vancouver alone at age 17 was a big move. I hadn’t taken public transit before and the notion of getting on a bus and seeing people I hadn’t met before was strange. In general seeing people I hadn't ever seen before was a new concept. I quickly got used to it, and learned how to ride the bus. In my last week of University I remember riding the 99 Bus to school and seeing pictures of myself on the cover of the free daily papers in the commuters hands or trampled on the floor. My thesis project had made the front cover of the papers (I hadn’t expected it to go beyond the school). Mum sent a message that day saying I had returned home to Oliver via the front of the Vancouver Sun in the stand at Eastside Grocery. The project was a giant Where’s Waldo painted on a rooftop to be found using Google Earth (fellow SOSS 2003 alumni & friends Lisa Elgert and Jay Martiniuk helped with the massive painting). The next few days after class became an unexpected media frenzy of interviews with people calling from Brazil and New York and Breaking News helicopters flying over the painting for the evening news. It is a funny moment to look back on now and I still receive emails about it from different places like Ripley's Believe it or Not, National Geographic and even a school in Antwerp where every year for their school project they paint a version on their school playground.
A few years after graduation I made another move to an even bigger city, London, UK. I now work in Operations at The Institute of Contemporary Art, an art centre famous for its progressive history and location on the Mall. It has hosted early shows of Picasso, Yoko Ono, Man Ray and played host to early concerts by Leonard Cohen, The Smiths, The Clash and Throbbing Gristle. One famous story of the ICAs history was when the German industrial band Einsturzende Neubauten tried drilling a hole through the stage during their performance in hopes of getting into underground tunnels leading to Buckingham Palace. Every day the job is different and interesting and I have to expect the unexpected. Last year I had to escort police snipers with telescopic lenses on to the roof so they could watch over the Queen's Birthday Parade (which had nothing on the annual parade in Oliver, far less candy and no A&W bear).
Whilst living in London I have also continued to pursue my own artistic practice. I studied Contemporary Collage at Central Saint Martins, was an artist in residence at the Royal Academy of Arts School (the title of my exhibit was Black Sage named after Black Sage Road in south Oliver) and have exhibited work, done talks and had screenings across the UK and Europe. I have also been self-publishing small run magazines of my collage work (the earliest issues were printed on the SOSS Library photocopier - thanks to Mr. Smith pretending not to notice) and copies have since made their way into library collections across the world including the Tate Archive here in London.
It’s an honour to be featured as this year’s representative alumni for the SOSS Enrichment Fund. The education I received with the support of the fund paved the way to an exciting and fulfilling future. I would like to encourage the upcoming graduates to go into fields that truly interest and excite them and not chose the path of least resistance. Thank you to all the individuals and organizations that help support the scholarship program, it really does make a difference in young people's lives especially in a town like Oliver where pursuing post-secondary education often means leaving home for a bigger city to study. I ended up further from home than most, but I would still place my bets on the horses by Okanagan River over the Royal Horse Guard by the Thames at any chance.
Benita Hahn - Class of 1997
Name: Benita Baerg
Parents: Gordon and Catherine Hahn
Spouse: Graeme Baerg
Children: Maya (8) and Gavin (5)
Graduated from SOSS: 1997
Awards: Robert McDowell Scholarship $1,500.00
The SOSS Enrichment Fund presents this award in memory of Robert McDowell who had a career with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and served in the North West Territories (1928-1933). McDowell assisted another officer that was shot in the chest during the arrest of the notorious “Mad Trapper” of Rat River. He moved to Oliver in 1955 and operated an orchard for 41 years.
Life turns out in funny ways. When I left small town Oliver for university and the big city lights of Victoria 18 years ago, I would have laughed out loud if anyone had suggested Oliver would be a big part of my future. Now, I’m sitting at my office desk (aka: our kitchen table), a couple wingnut five year olds chasing each other with Nerf guns in the background and our springer spaniel watching me with ‘please take me swimming in Tuc-el-nuit’ eyes… and I’m comfortably, happily, never-moving-anywhere-else home barely a kilometer as the crow flies from the house I grew up in.
Some things don’t change as much as we might think they will. I’m still the animal-loving kid with mucky boots (if you’ve gone canoeing along Tuc-el-nuit and been surprised to find a llama nibbling willows on the shore, that’s our graceful Juno guarding her flock of sheep and mini goats).
My job isn’t that far off the journalist job I described in a “When I Grow Up” essay for Miss Laver’s grade eight English class: I freelance for half a dozen magazines and contract write/communications consult for a wide variety of businesses, from grocery chains to wineries to tech start-ups. The flexibility, independence and variety are phenomenal, but my favourite part of this career is that I get to jump right into the heart of each business I work with, ask the nosiest of questions, and get an incredibly intense look into what makes that business tick. Every day I talk to people who LOVE what they do, which makes my job easy: I just translate that passion and excitement into readable form. (To all the soon-to-be grads trying to figure out which degree program to pursue: yup, with a little creativity, you too can turn an Arts degree into an excellent career.)
I wish I could say I came back to Oliver because the weather is the best in Canada (it is), the people are incredible (they are), and the opportunities and lifestyle are ideal for raising kids (absolutely true). We actually jumped on the first ferry off Vancouver Island at the start of summer four years ago because my Mum faced health crisis. As the next school year started two months later, my husband was offered a job at SOSS. Our discussion about whether or not we should officially move here went something like this:
Him: “They offered me the job.”
Me: “So I guess we’re staying.”
Him: “Yup.”
It was meant to be.
I’m looking over the heads of my still-Nerf-shooting five year old and his equally gun-obsessed little friend (I’ve managed to convince them to start shooting water bottle targets instead of each other), down over the white backs of my very pregnant sheep, to the lakeshore below. What am I looking forward to? More of this: watching my kids (two-legged and four-legged) grow, building my communications business and our farm, being an involved part of making this community the very best it can be.
There’s nowhere I’d rather be.
Thank you to the SOSS Enrichment Fund for being an important part of helping me leave Oliver for post-secondary studies… and for helping me want to return again years later. A big part of my desire to raise our children in Oliver is based on the incredible support our community offers its young people, as exemplified by the SOSS Enrichment Fund’s phenomenal monetary support of our town’s high school grads. Keep up the great work, SOSS Enrichment Fund!
David Machial - Class of 2001
Name: David Machial
Parents: Joe and Anna Machial
Awards: Charlotte Campbell Memorial Bursary $1,600.00
Okanagan University College Tuition Scholarship
Rudi Guidi Memorial Bursary $400.00
The Rudi Guidi Memorial Bursary is presented by the SOSS Enrichment Fund Society. Mr. Guidi was an all-star basketball player in the Okanagan Valley for many years. He was the Principal of the Oliver Elementary School from 1935 to 1973 where he ran sports programs and organized a large number of musical pageants for students. He also led the Christ the King music program for many years. Rudi was an active member of the Rotary Club of Oliver. He died in 1994.
WHAT HAPPENED AFTER HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION/WHY RETURN TO OLIVER?
I graduated from SOSS in 2001. The following fall I attended Okanagan University College in Kelowna for one year, where I took my prerequisites for a Bachelor of Commerce. In 2002, I was accepted into the Sauder School of Business’ commerce program at UBC Vancouver. I completed my B.Com degree in 2005, graduating with honours. My major is in marketing.
Work Experience:
In the summer of 2004 I was the Research Coordinator for the Oliver and District C Economic Development Society where I worked on the development of an Agricultural Area Plan for rural Oliver.
Upon completing my B.Com in 2005 I had two choices, move to Toronto and pursue a career in market research, or return to Oliver and operate the family orchard. I loved the Okanagan, liked the idea of having my own business, and since my parents were considering selling the family orchard, I chose to come home. I have 9 acres of apples, 1.5 acres of cherries, and 0.5 acres of apricots/nectarines that I have been farming ever since.
In addition to operating the orchard, I also help my Dad and Uncle (Rick Machial) at their fruit packinghouse, Fairview Orchards.
I am currently the BC Fruit Grower Association’s Southern Regional Chair, and sit on the board of directors of Summerland Varieties Corp. Summerland Varieties Corp is responsible for managing and commercializing new apple, cherry, and berry varieties.
Travel:
I have travelled to both Cuba and St Vincent and the Grenadines with friends from UBC. My favourite travel experience was backpacking through Nicaragua and Costa Rica with my sister Laura in 2008.
LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2016?
Nothing specifically other than spending time with friends/family and hopefully having a successful, storm free, fruit season.
WHAT ARE YOUR OTHER INTERESTS?
I play indoor and outdoor soccer for team Oliver in the Penticton City Soccer League. I also curl for team Edward Jones in the Oliver Corporate Curling League (It is a lot of fun). I really enjoy hiking, and love exploring the South Okanagan mountains.
Randee Zeeman - Class of 2002
Name: Randee Ede
Parents: Tom and Gwen Zeeman
Spouse: Adam Ede
Children: Jaxon (3) Brock (1)
Graduated: 2002
Awards: Fairview Mountain Golf Club $1,000.00
The Southern Okanagan Secondary School Enrichment Fund Society was incorporated in February 1995. That same year the society organized its first fundraising golf tournament at Fairview Mountain Golf Course. The board of directors of the golf course, management and member of FMGC continue to generously support the tournament.
WHAT HAPPENED AFTER HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION/WHY RETURN TO OLIVER?
After graduating from S.O.S.S. I moved to Cranbrook to take the Licensed Practical Nursing Program. After completing the program I moved back to the South Okanagan and worked at the South Okanagan General Hospital and the Penticton Regional Hospital. In 2006 while continuing to work as a LPN I started working toward a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree through the University of B.C. Okanagan campus. I graduated in 2011. I also completed my Critical Care Nursing specialty. I have spent the past five years working at the Penticton hospital in the Intensive Care Unit and the Emergency department. I continue to take courses i.e. (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) that allow me to stay current in the skills needed for my job. I feel very lucky to be working in a job I truly love.
I originally moved back to the Okanagan because I wanted to save money. However Adam my husband and I moved to Oliver when we were expecting our first son. Oliver’s housing market was more affordable and most importantly we were surrounded and supported by so much family here. It is a great town to be raising our sons in. We enjoy the life style of the Okanagan and spend our family time doing various outdoor activities. We enjoy camping travelling through B.C., Alberta, and Saskatchewan.
Sid Ruhland - Class of 2006
Name: Sid Ruhland
Parents: Jim and Joanne Ruhland
Spouse: Marie-Eve
Children: Leo and Noah
Graduated: 2006
Awards: Knight of Columbus Bursary $500.00
Principals’ and Vice Principals’ Award $500.00
Okanagan College Tuition Scholarship
Pat McGibbon Memorial Scholarship $500.00
The SOSS Enrichment Fund Society awards the Pat McGibbon Memorial Scholarship. Pat worked as a Teaching Assistant at Tuc-el Nuit Elementary School from its opening in 1976 until 1993 when she became ill and passed away in 1994. Pat enjoyed working with students, both in the library and in the classroom. Pat taught art to many students during her time at Tuc-el Nuit. Samples of her artwork hang in the Pat McGibbon Memorial Library at Tuc-el-nuit School.
WHAT HAPPENED AFTER GRADUATION AND WHAT BROUGHT YOU BACK TO OLIVER?
I backpacked through Europe then returned to Kelowna for two years of Business School. I caravanned through Australia then back to business school for two more years including a semester exchange to Austria. I wanted to leave city living and moved to Oliver and lived in a tent on the mountain. I started the Firehall Brewery in 2011 with my dad Jim and family. I have since gotten married to my beautiful and talented wife, Marie-Eve and we started our family.
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO IN THE UPCOMING YEAR(s)?
I look forward to having more kids. I would like to grow my business. I would also like to change the modern world by influencing those around me through art and ideas. I enjoy writing, especially about controversial topics in politics, economics, and cultural philosophy. I also enjoy writing music, with themes along those same lines. I intend to work with my community to grow more food, to be more socially interactive, to get out into nature more and learn to live more naturally.
Carolyn Coles - Class of 2001
Carolyn Coles was the recipient of the 2001 Francis Family Awards. Her proud parents are Bryan and Susan Coles. Here is Carolyn’s story.
My goal after graduating from high school was to find a career where my passions and my skills overlapped – and to find a place where business, technology, and innovation can come together. This focus, and seeing other leaders such as Norm take this on, proved to be a trigger and catalyst for my career.
I attended Queen's University in Kingston Ontario, studying Film & Classical Studies followed by a program at the University of Toronto in E-Business and Web Marketing. I will be attending MIT this fall to participate in coursework focused
on strategic innovation in technology.
My first role after university was at Electronic Arts, a video game company. I worked at EA during some of it's busiest years, first in Localization and then in Product Marketing. My specialty quickly became on emerging products in the handheld space, and finding new and creative ways to market these games through digital marketing.
After EA I chose to join a then tiny company called Lululemon. Lululemon had only a handful of stores when I joined, but I knew it was a company that was going big places, and would be a company where I could make my mark and feel like an entrepreneur.
I've had several roles in my 6 years at Lululemon, and even had the opportunity to create a few of them myself. It's an organization that embraces entrepreneurship and creativity, and truly allows you to craft a career that you feel fulfilled at. Currently I'm the head of our Digital Strategy team, within our Brand Experience department. I lead the teams responsible for digital communications to our guests, including the website, blog, social media channels, email marketing and out mobile applications.
I'm passionate about everything digital. I live for a great hot yoga class. I am a passionate content creator and love photography, video, and anything that enables me to create!
I want to express a tremendous amount of gratitude for being included in this. I was so fortunate to receive this award, inspired by the work that Norm has done over the years, and truly inspired by his entire career. I haven't had the chance to express this to Norm in person (yet) but his own career path and work has inspired my own over the past 10 years.
For the graduating students of 2012, here's what I would love for them to know:
-
Set goals.
-
Follow your gut.
-
Do something that makes you feel strong.
-
Find that place where your passions and strengths collide.
Manjinder Sidhu - Class of 2001
Manjinder Sidhu was the recipient of the 2001 Francis Family Scholarship. She is the daughter of Gurtej Singh and Baljit Kaur Sidhu.
Manjinder has a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in English Literature and Asian Studies from the University of British Columbia. She is currently working on a Master of Arts degree (also at U.B.C.).
She has been working for U.B.C. since 2005 in various positions within the Enrolment Services to serve the needs of prospective and current undergraduate students. Currently she works for the Undergraduate Admissions Department and has been on secondment at the UBC Okanagan campus as the Admissions and Enrolment Support Manager. In May 2013, she will be returning to her role at the UBC Vancouver campus within Undergraduate Admissions.
Manjinder has a passion for many things including traveling to exotic locations (Mauritius anyone?), watching movies with her husband, self-discovery and eating chocolate. She is just getting into power yoga, DSLR photography and learning how to play the piano (Mr. Park would be proud!) so we shall see how those endeavors go.
In the near future, Manjinder is hoping to complete her Master of Arts degree and publish her first novel. Beyond that she says the world is her oyster and she has no idea what else is in store for her, career-wise or life-wise. She knows that she is looking forward to adding to her international travels, possibly pursuing further academic studies (such as a PhD) and developing her career path at UBC.
Going to university was a life-changing experience for Manjinder and it really gave her the opportunity to grow in ways she never expected. Attending UBC not only opened up a career path for her that she never would have envisioned in 2001 but allowed her to explore her way into a very unexpected degree program and academic environment. She would like to thank Mr. Francis for his support towards this journey and this growth, and she wishes the grads of 2013 the very best on their endeavors beyond graduation, wherever and whatever those may be.
Kia Zahrabi - Class of 2002
Kia Zahrabi was one of the 2002 recipeints of the Francis Family Scholarships. His parents are
Rostam Zahrabi and Mojgan Fard.
Kia studied at McGill University in Montreal from 2002-2007 and received a Bachelor in Civil Engineering and a minor degree in Environmental Engineering. He has been working as a consulting engineer (mainly in the municipal sector) for the past 4.5 years or so (with some time spent traveling in between jobs). He worked for TRUE Consulting (Who does the engineering work for the Town of Oliver) for two years and now work in Vancouver for a firm called Kerr Wood Leidal Associates.
One of his biggest interests is traveling. He loves discovering new places, learning new languages and cultures and understanding how other people in the world are living. He spent one semester of his university in Barbados, which he really loved. He also did a camping/surfing roadtrip down the Baja peninsula in Mexico, travelled through parts of Thailand and Cambodia and did a 22,000 km road trip "loop" around North America. He also did a two-week backpacking trip through Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica, and most recently came back from a 3 week tour through several provinces in India. He is also into biking and has been getting into white water kayaking.
His goal for the past 5 years or so has been to eventually get involved in some work in developing
countries where he can have a positive direct impact on people's lives. He has thought about this quite
a bit and is still not 100% sure what kind of work he will be doing. However, he feels his engineering experience in combination with his language and understanding of various cultures will help him make a positive impact in people’s lives. He has thought about working in the area of water and sanitation since it is so critical to people's health and well being.
Kia would like to give a big thank you to Mr. Francis and the family. He remembers how much the scholarship helped him when he was starting off at McGill. It's inspired him to give back as well and he hopes to do something similar one day.
And to the grads, he just wants to wish them all the best. He says that life, ideas, relationships, etc change every day and all we can do is to continue to roll with the punches and keep on experiencing life. Take the most out of every experience because that's really what life is about.
Nikki Houle - Class of 2002
Nikki Cescon (nee Houle) was the recipient of the 2002 Francis Family Scholarships. Her proud parents are Norn and Shirley Houle of Oliver.
Nikki attended Okanagan University College where she completed a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. Upon completion of university, she was hired at Kelowna Flightcraft. She started as a Human Resources Assistant and was soon promoted to Human Resources Advisor. In this capacity with Kelowna Flightcraft, she is responsible for providing Human Resources support and leadership to several key areas of the Kelowna based business (which employs 1,000 people Canada wide).
Some of her personal interests are health and wellness and professional development. She loves outdoor recreation and camping with family and friends. She is hoping to learn more about photography in her spare time.
Nikki completed her Certified Human Resources Professional Designation in January of 2012. She would like to obtain a supervisory or leadership role within the Human Resources profession.
She would like to pass on to the Francis family her gratitude for their generosity and for selecting her 10m years ago as a recipient of their scholarship. The financial assistance was much appreciated during her four years of university education.
To the graduation class of 2012 (which includes her brother Brady), she hopes that they pursue a career that makes them happy and allows them to continue to develop and grow professionally.
Liana Schmalz - Class of 2003
Liana Schmalz was one of the 2003 recipients of
the Francis Family Scholarships. Her proud
parents are Edwin and Mickie Schmalz.
Liana studied at the Capernwray Bible College in
Bodenseehof Germany and at Simon Fraser
University in British Columbia. She is currently
working as a Program Assistant in the
International Services for Students office at
Simon Fraser University. Her job is to help all
incoming exchange student hoping to attend
S.F.U. with their application, transition and
courses. On a daily basis she communicates with
students and institutions all over the world.
She describes the experience as awesome. Down the road she would like to be a Park Ranger for a Canadian National Park (khaki pants and all).
Liana’s most passionate interest is travel. She loves exploring different cultures and languages. Liana hopes to see the penguins and icebergs in Ushuaia,Argentina. On a personal level she enjoys gourmet coffee, playing her guitar and interior design. For fun she completes Do-It -Yourself projects.
Liana wishes to thank Mr. Francis for buying her plane ticket to Germany when she was eighteen. Because of the scholarship she had the opportunity to study at an international school for eight months. Even now she says it feels like a dream. She wishes all of the S.O.S.S. grads courage and happiness in the coming year. “You really can be anything you want to be”.
Catherine Heith -Class of 2003
Catherine Heith was one of the 2003 recipients of the Francis Family Scholarships. Her proud parents are Zofia and Richard Heith.
Catherine attended Queens University in Ontario and earned a Bachelor Degree with Honors in History and Bachelor of Science in Biology. She attended Jagiellonian University in Poland and received an MD. On July 1st she is starting a pediatric residency at Cleveland Clinic, a multispecialty academic medical center located in Cleveland, Ohio, United States. In medicine, Catherine is interested in global health especially HIV/aids and the health of women and children. In the future she would like to attend the London School of Economics and earn a PHD in Public Health. Catherine personally is interested in modern art and photography.
Catherine would like to thank Mr. Norman Francis for seeing her potential. His scholarship will continue to support young people in the pursuit of their dreams. To the graduating class of 2012: “The world is a big place, explore it. Do not limit yourselves to Canada or even North America when it comes to anything from work to school to building a family. There are so many interesting places, cultures, experiences and people in the world that can and should alter your life. As it turns out, getting a good education that leads to a good job will make it not only easier to have these experiences but very likely be a part of that education, so take advantage! I wish you all the best in whatever you decide to pursue.”