“As a recent University grad, I know the financial pressures on students are REAL! I donate to COBSS because I was given lots of help - and it’s time for me to pay it forward.” GEM Miller Family Scholarship
“At Strut, our loyal customers value education and round up on each of their purchases. As a result, we are proud to allocate 4 awards to Central Okanagan graduates.” Shandi, Strut Footwear and Apparel
“The George Elliot Memorial Bursary was created by my father, Alan Elliot, in memory of his father after whom the school was named. He started the Sharon Porter Memorial Bursary in honour of his daughter who was tragically killed in a traffic accident and the Alan & Bea Elliot Family Bursary as a legacy. My parents were strong believers in the power of education, although they didn’t have the opportunity during the time that they grew up. My wife and I started the David & Audrey Elliot Bursary as we were both teachers and saw the struggles that students today have in funding their education.” David Elliot, David & Audrey Elliot Bursary
“The Evergreen Building Maintenance Award was created because our organization understands the value of education. We take pride in supporting our community in any way we can.” Ranjit Takhar, President, Evergreen Maintenance Inc.
“Today’s Lake Country Museum owes much of its existence to Jane and Gilbert Arnold. Both were committed to numerous community organizations throughout their lives. Jane, a Lake Country teacher originally suggested Okanagan Centre School would make a fine museum and she became the Society’s first secretary. Their legacy of community support lives on through the Arnold Award which was established after their passing.” Lynn Fanelli, Executive Director, Lake Country Museum & Archives
“As an employer in the Central Okanagan we recognize how important it is to help create vibrant, thriving communities and that starts with supporting our future leaders. We are extremely proud to help these students towards achieving their goals and ambitions.” Erika Jarvis, Marketing & Communications, Capri CMW
“We initiated the Linden Jared Allen Bursary after the sudden death of our beautiful son in 2006 at 11 years of age. Linden was very strong of character, a born leader and an avid scholar. In memory of our son, our bursary seeks to support students of a similar disposition. We hope our contributions will assist quality students to achieve their goals and foster excellence in the next generation that will, in turn, cultivate a healthier society as a whole.” Ron Allen
“Larry Pearson was instrumental in many John Howard Society initiatives in the Okanagan. He was a passionate advocate for supporting those in and being released from incarceration. The John Howard Society of Okanagan & Kootenay is honored to keep his spirit alive by assisting students looking to advance their careers in the criminal and social justice field.” Patricia Bacon, Executive Director, John Howard Society
“Our family started the James E Cross Memorial Award after our father passed away following a battle with cancer. Our dad stood for, and taught us, the value of perseverance and a higher education. Our COBSS award helps keep his spirit and values alive to be passed down to future generations.” Stephen Cross
“The JAGTAC NURSING BURSARY encourages male students to study nursing. This award supports diversity in the profession and aims to change the view of what a ‘typical’ nurse might be. Talent has no gender.” John Logel
“The Kelowna Royal Purple Society have supported COBSS for many years and enjoy the wonderful thank you notes we receive from thankful students who, with our help, are able to carry on with their educational goals.” Sheila Falk
“The Rutland, Winfield & Kelowna Hospital Auxiliaries are contributing to these educational awards to further enhance the education of grade 12 students entering a human health medical field; enabling them to return to the community with knowledge and expertise that provides health care and treatment to patients in a medical setting. It is enlightening to see students who have volunteered in the hospital and return to serve their community in a medical setting.” Jean Fraser
“I am motivated to assist students because they are the future and are entitled to an education. My 23-year-old son lost his life without having a chance to live to his potential. His life mattered, and in this way, as a memorial to him, I am able to ‘pay it forward’.” Donna Nicholas, Larry Nicholas Memorial Bursary
“Many bright students shy away from post-secondary education because of the financial challenge. We like to do our small part to help those less fortunate than ourselves.” Hugh & Brenda Gloster
“The JAGTAC ENGINEERING BURSARY supports female students studying engineering. Women in STEM who bring their strong math and science aptitudes to engineering challenges, break barriers and contribute to solving engineering challenges. Innovation lives in diversity.” John Logel
“Hank Grenda was a dedicated Career Preparation teacher in SD23 who encouraged students to be committed and passionate about careers, especially in Trades and Technology.” Laura Grenda, Hank Grenda Memorial Bursary
“I support COBBS because I believe in the power of education. Not everyone can help their young person move on to higher education. It honors loved ones who have passed away so they will be remembered.” Anita Funk, Henry Funk Memorial Bursary
“The Lake Country Garden Club sees our COBSS award as a means of sharing our passion and love of all endeavours contributing to a healthy and beautiful gardening and agricultural society within our Lake Country family.” Carolyn Lane, Lake Country Garden Club Award
“The whole purpose of any Lions Club is to serve their community and make it a better place to live for everyone. We try to support people of all age groups. We are very passionate about helping young people in our community with their lives, education and futures. That's why we support COBSS by donating bursaries to three local graduates each year.” David Bingham, Lake Country/Winfield Lions Club
“In 2008 my husband and I tragically lost our son, Chad Chretien. He was 18 years old, full of life, and we miss him every day. He had a passion for music and fixing cars. We have been part of COBSS for 12 years and giving a student a bursary in the memory of our son every year is very rewarding. The best part is when a student reaches out by sending me a personal letter in the mail thanking me for the bursary and how much he appreciates it. This keeps our son’s memory alive.”
Linda Chretien, Chad Chretien Memorial Bursary
“Students are the path to a new future, and there is nothing that makes our community prouder than seeing our youth succeed in their academic pursuits. Education is power, and the Peachland Elementary (PLE) PAC has been honoured to help empower PLE alumni to be all that they can be. It is a truly special thing to be a part of these students’ journeys, knowing that opening doors to opportunity builds momentum toward a better world for our kids.” Leath Strench, Peachland Elementary PAC President
"We are passionate about donating to COBSS as a way to financially support a student pursuing a business degree. We hope to see the students thriving in their careers, becoming the next generation of creative young professionals and giving back to our community one day."
Emilia Muscardin, YLW Social Award
“Where would I be had no one taken the time to support me? It is my privilege to support a grad and my pleasure to award it to my former high school. I challenge you all to support a local grad!” H. J. Miller Family Scholarship
“It’s good to be blessed. It’s better to be a blessing. I donate to COBSS, to be both.” S. E. C. Miller Family Scholarship
“Canadian Federation of University Women Kelowna believes strongly in the benefit of post-secondary education for women in order for them to achieve both their personal and career potential. Through COBSS we have supported more than 75 young women in their pursuit of further education and plan to continue for the foreseeable future.” Pat Scarlett, CFUW Kelowna Scholarships & CFUW UBCO Award
