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School of Access

Award Recipients

2020 Access Student Awards Celebration

We are pleased to announce our 2020 Award Recipients. Approximately $21,000 was awarded to 37 students.

Message from the Dean

The School of Access, in partnership with the Camosun College Foundation, would like to congratulate all the students who received an award this year. The awards reflect the hard work and dedication you have put into your studies and community. We are incredibly proud of you! A special thanks to our donors for their continued support of School of Access students. Your generosity helps students meet their educational goals and highlights not only academic achievements, but allows us to recognize individual's creativity, innovations and community involvement.

Ian Humphries | Dean, School of Access

Program eligibility

Any Access program or course

Carole Pearson Endowed Award

Presented to a support students in any program in the School of Access at Camosun College.

Recipients: Taneesha Morris, Erica Hooper, Brandi Paltiel

Donor

With thanks to the Carole Pearson Family for donating this award.

Lockie Family Endowment Award

Presented to any Access student who has overcome significant personal challenges, is a role model interacting in class and/or community, demonstrates quality of work, attendance, and commitment to their education, and shows significant progress in their personal academic goals.

Recipient: Mark Atleo

Donor

With thanks to the Peter Lockie Family for donating this award. In 2010, the family established this award to support Access students who have overcome significant personal challenges.

Reset the Future

Presented to a domestic student who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to set out in a new direction for the benefit of themselves and their family. The student will have taken the decision to reset their future by going back to school to qualify for work that will give them future financial security; demonstrated their determination to succeed on their new path and to overcome barriers to their success; and exhibited the ability, curiosity and passion for a lifetime commitment to continuous learning and improvement. Priority given to single parent(s).

Recipient: Denise Williams

Donor

With thanks to the Brand Family and Friends in honour of Shirley “Max” Brand for donating this award. Max, a single mother of five, went back to high school at the age of 40 and got extra credits in Algebra, Trigonometry, Chemistry and Biology in order to take the Medical Lab Technology course and reset the future for her and her kids. She went on to graduate at the top of her class as a Lab Tech. We are very proud of the courage and determination Max displayed. She is a role model for all of us.

Roy Family Endowed Award

Presented to any student in a School of Access program who has demonstrated exceptional effort to achieve a minimum of a B grade, service to the college community or community at large and who plans on pursuing further education. Preference may be given to a recipient who is a single parent or guardian.

Recipient: Denise Williams

Donor

With thanks to Franklyn Roy for donating this award.

This fund was established by alumnus and long-serving employee and who cared deeply for Access students and was often inspired by their personal journeys.

St. Matthias and St. Michael and All Angels Project Upgrade Fund Award

Presented to any Access student who has worked to overcome significant obstacles (personal, financial, social, or institutional) and shown diligence in pursuing their education. The student must have demonstrated effort in attendance, quality of work and display a personal commitment to their schooling. Financial need taken into consideration.

Recipient: Jeffrey Draper, Tyson Tearne, Kristopher Waters

Donor

With thanks to the St. Matthias St. Michael and All Angels Project Upgrade Fund for donating this award.

Vice President of Education Award

Presented to any Access student transitioning to a career or academic program and who demonstrates a commitment to student community.

Recipient: Mellissa Jack

Donor

With thanks to John Boraas, Vice President of Education for donating this award.

Westshore Soroptimist Award

Presented to any female student in any program in the School of Access who has worked to overcome significant adversities or obstacles in her life. The student must demonstrate a strong personal commitment to pursuing her education. Financial need will be taken into consideration and the impact this award will have to help the student meet her goals and aspirations. Preference will be given, but not limited to, a single parent.

Recipient: Elaine Welsh

Donor

With thanks to Soroptimist International of Victoria Westshore for donating this award. Soroptimist clubs around the world believe in improving the lives of women and girls; access to education is only one of many programs and services offered to support women.

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Academic Upgrading

ABE Association of BC Award

Presented to any English or Math student, at any level, at either campus and/or at community partner locations who demonstrate involvement with and concern for their peers and display a personal commitment to their schooling and show significant personal academic achievement by making progress in meeting their academic goals.

Recipient: Derrick Thompson

Donor

With thanks to ABE Association of BC for donating this award.

Chuck Dowdeswell Award

Presented to any English or Math students in Fundamental or Intermediate levels who have demonstrated academic success while conquering adversity through diligence.

Recipient: Ryanna English

Donor

With thanks to Chuck Dowdeswell for donating this award.

Retired instructor, Chuck Dowdeswell, established this award upon his retirement to support students in academic upgrading.

Colin Montesano Memorial Award

Presented to any Math student on campus who has completed Fundamental or Intermediate level math and who, as a result of sacrifices and hard work, has displayed exceptional effort and achieved a minimum B grade.

Recipient: Hayley Lithwick

Donor

With thanks to Leikny Montesano for donating this award.

Colin was a respected and admired math instructor who loved teaching and watching his students' progress. When he died in 2007, Colin's wife, Leikny, fulfilled his desire to establish an award for math students.

Lynne Richards Memorial Award

Presented to any academic upgrading student in English or Math at the advanced or provincial level who has demonstrated personal determination to succeed, achieved academic excellence and plans to pursue a post-secondary education.

Recipient: Mikayla Heinz, Bianca Sinclair, Rose Lange, Ashley Spears, Aaron Nickel

Donor

With thanks to Lynne Richards for donating this award.

An instructional assistant in the Adult Basic Education department at Camosun, Lynne provided support and encouragement for nine years to adults upgrading their education. Though Lynne passed away in 2010, her legacy will continue to assist students.

Orca Book Publishers Literacy Award #1

Presented to any English upgrading student who began literacy studies in a community program, completed a provincial-level English course at Camosun and demonstrates academic excellence, the ability to communicate effectively and provides evidence of successful strategies for overcoming barriers to learning.

Recipient: Heejin Kim

Donor

With thanks to Orca Book Publishers for donating this award.

Victoria's Orca Books has been a publisher of high quality, award-winning books for children and teens and reluctant readers of all ages. They established this award in 2012 to support literacy at Camosun College.

Orca Book Publishers Literacy Award #2

Presented to any literacy learner who completes an English 02 level within 2 terms, demonstrates commitment, reveals developing independence in managing assignments, takes risks in learning and shows curiosity and enthusiasm and demonstrates academic excellence.

Recipient: Racquel Antalan

Donor

With thanks to Orca Book Publishers for donating this award.

Victoria's Orca Books has been a publisher of high quality, award-winning books for children and teens and reluctant readers of all ages. They established this award in 2012 to support literacy at Camosun College.

Richard Rayfuse & Keith Todd Literacy Award

Presented to any English student at the Fundamental level who has overcome significant obstacles to pursue their education, demonstrates concern for their peers, shows enthusiasm for their studies, either writes or demonstrates by example how their educational pathway has improved their life.

Recipient: Amanda Bragg

Donor

With thanks to Keith Todd and Friends for donating this award.

In 2010, Keith Todd established this award in memory of his life-long friend, Richard. He wanted to recognize Richard's love for life, and to leave a legacy for Access students seeking to improve their literacy.

Susan Haddon Spirit Award

Presented to any student in the Indigenous Academic Upgrading program who demonstrates exceptional qualities of "spirit", helps and inspires others and values the importance of education.

Recipient: Mark Atleo

Donor

With thanks to Susan Haddon's colleagues, family and friends for donating this award, which was established to honour her 11-year tenure and contribution to Camosun College.

'Way To Go' Award

Presented to any English or Math student at the Fundamental level who completes an ABE course (one level) or courses (multi levels), achieves their goal(s) despite overwhelming health, financial, or personal obstacles, and exhibits a kind and generous spirit.

Recipient: Alice Broadbent

Donor

With thanks to various donors for donating this award.

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Building Employment Success for Tomorrow (BEST)

Joan Looy Endowment Award

Presented to any BEST student who demonstrates a commitment to personal advancement, continually strives to overcome barriers, demonstrates and continues to develop a strong sense of belief in self, demonstrates motivation/perseverance to face challenges in their lives and has not previously received a college award

Recipient: Victoria Blenkin

Donor

With thanks to the Anonymous donor who donated this award.

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Employment Training and Preparation

Dedication to Learning Award

Presented to a student in any ETP program who demonstrates an open-heartedness to others and interacts positively with all classmates, contributes in a meaningful and positive way to the classroom and demonstrates a commitment to life-long learning.

Recipient: Brandon Currie

Donor

With thanks to David Grieg for donating this award.

David Greig, Employment Training and Preparation instructor, created this award to recognize outstanding ETP students who contribute positively to the classroom and demonstrate a commitment to life-long learning.

Greater Victoria Citizen Advocacy Award

Presented to a student in any ETP program who contributes in and/or outside the classroom (distinguished by his/her kindness or caring behaviour) and contributes in a meaningful and positive way to the class.

Recipient: Brayden David Hrycun

Donor

With thanks to the Greater Victoria Citizen Advocacy Society for donating this award.

From 1975 to 2008, the Greater Victoria Citizen Advocacy Society was an integral part of Victoria's social programs, promoting community involvement and personal choice for persons with mental disabilities. This award was established by the former Board of Directors.

Pamela Vickers Achievement Award

Presented to any student who successfully graduates from an ETP program and demonstrates an ability to apply acquired skills in a work environment, demonstrates motivation/determination to face the challenge of their lives, demonstrates sensitivity and concern for the lives of others, demonstrates a willingness to share what their life may have to offer to colleagues, associates, workmates, family and others with whom they may interact.

Recipient: Kimberleigh Fagyan, Maddi (Madison) Brunton, Matt Pakozdy

Donor

With thanks to the Vickers Family for donating this award.

In 1990, David and Patricia Vickers established an award in memory of their daughter, Pamela Vickers, to give others with developmental disabilities, encouragement and support to seek skills.

Spurt – Employment Training and Preparation Award

Presented to any deserving student enrolled full-time in an Employment Training and Preparation program.

Recipient: Elisha Krenbrink

Donor

With thanks to Joan Randall for donating this award – she believes everyone needs a little help sometimes.

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English Language Development (ESL)

Camosun College International Award

Presented to any international student with a valid study permit who is enrolled in ELD classes and has successfully completed one or more levels in the semester before awards, actively participates and interacts in class and community activities, is a role model in encouraging and interacting with the other students, and demonstrates a commitment to learning English by demonstrating initiative beyond that which is normally called for in the class.

Recipient: Hyerin Kim, Jacqueline Villarreal Solorzano

Donor

With thanks to Camosun International for donating this award.

Dawn of Prosperity (صبح سعادت) Award:

Presented to an immigrant or refugee who has been working hard to learn English in any ELD course at Camosun College. Along with their application, students must submit an essay explaining their challenges in learning English, and how they have overcome those challenges.

Recipient: Mamadou Diallo

Donor

With thanks to Naji Yazdi. This award is in memory of his parents, Mr. Rasoul Khodashenas Firouzabadi and Mrs. Aalamtaj Ahmadi, Founders of Dawn of Prosperity (صبح سعادت) Cultural and Educational Institution in 1969 at Tehran-Iran. "Goal, Perseverance and Success" was the motto of Dawn of Prosperity which inspired thousands of students to thrive, succeed and flourish.

ELD Merit Award

Presented to any student who is enthusiastic about his/her ESL studies and shows continued progress, the ability to work as part of a team, and classroom leadership.

Recipient: Walberto Agamez

Donor

With thanks to various Camosun donors for donating this award.

ELD Writer's Award

Presented to an ELD students—one from 03_ to 06_ levels; one from 07_/09_ levels

Recipient: Chanidapa Boontawee

Donor

With thanks to various donors for donating this award.

Joan Hosty Memorial Award

Presented to a BESL level ELD student who attended class regularly, plans to continue to study in some capacity (further ELD, another Camosun program, university, etc), is a role model in encouraging/interacting with others in class and/or in their community and demonstrates a commitment and dedication to improving their English.

Recipient: Zhao Jiangdong

Donor

With thanks to Joan Hosty's colleagues, family and friends for donating this award.

Joan was a dedicated and compassionate ESL instructor. When she died in 2007, her colleagues, family and friends collected funds to establish an award to support dedicated and enthusiastic ESL students.

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