The Community Foundation of the South Okanagan Similkameen has provided bursary funding for students pursuing post-secondary studies.
“The funding of university is something that's really, really, difficult for a lot of kids these days,” said Samuel Kleiver, a Sharon Amos Legacy Fund for the Arts bursary recipient who is studying at the University of Lethbridge.
“I’ve seen a lot of my friends struggle with finances, and some of them have even dropped out of university specifically because there has not been the opportunity to get funding and support for the programs that they're trying to go into.”
The foundation presents bursaries annually. This summer, it awarded 27 bursaries with a total value of $57,550 to students from the region.
The foundation directly administers 11 bursary funds for students studying fine arts, humanities, sciences, engineering and other subjects.
Bursaries are available to adult students and newly graduating students, with financial need being the key prerequisite.
Tianna Ferlizza, who is studying musical theatre and is also a recipient of an award from the Sharon Amos Legacy Fund for the Arts, said the bursary provided more than a financial boost.
“It's important that us young artists are getting support from our community,” she said. “It really goes beyond the funding; it's about having people there who support us and believe in us and it fuels our inspiration and makes us want to work harder and keep doing what we do.”
The Sharon Amos Legacy Fund for the Arts was created in 2010 to support students pursuing a performing arts education.
Amos had been involved in the arts in Penticton and served as committee chair for the Penticton Centennial. She was also one of the founding members of Many Hats Theatre Company.
“We’re extremely grateful to our current donors for their support of the dreams and aspirations of students in our region,” said Kevin Ronaghan, manager of grants and community initiatives with the community foundation.
“We welcome additional donors to help us increase our reach and impact with this important program.”
In 2024, the community foundation presented numerous bursaries.
• Dr. John and Kathy Scarfo Bursary Fund: Maya Lefebvre, Daryl-lee Schalm, Camryn Sweeney, Amer Mach, Hashanah Cabug-Os, Riota Issacs, Brook Letourneau, Josephine Kay, Yar Mach, Daniel Nixon, Javier Carlos
• Eva & Herbert Rosinger Scholarship Fund: Devan O’Gorman, Angela Omojuwa
• L&R Supplementary Bursary Fund: Larissa Watt
• Culver Family Bursary Fund: Amy Lucich
• Irene & Charles Armstrong Bursary Fund: Meghan Harms
• South Okanagan Indigenous Education Fund: Kyra Souch, Ciara Browne
• Belyea Brothers Fund: Taylor Bierlmeier, Owen Blaine, Viktoria Quindt
• Sharon Amos Legacy Fund for the Arts: Tianna Ferlizza, Samuel Kleiver, Jackson van Raes, Starla Rorison
• Lynn and Brian Jackson Endowment for Fine Arts: Kyrah van der Merwe
• Alana Matthew Fund: Josephine Kay
