The Trevor H Shirtliff Difference-Maker Scholarship is awarded to high-school students that have been identified by their high school counsellors to be activists advocating to make a difference. Whether that difference be within their school, their community or in the life of others, we commend these youth.
We thought you’d like to know what caught the attention of their counsellors and why we chose these individuals to award scholarships to. In the words of a counsellor, here are the nominations.
Student: Anastasia Stoddart, Grade 12
Nominating Counsellor: Carl Hofbauer
Langley Fine Arts School, Fort Langley, BC
As the counsellor of the Langley Fine Arts School, a K to Grade 12 school, I have known and worked with Anastasia for the last 10 years and she has consistently proven herself to be an extremely dedicated, thoughtful, and enthusiastic student. Her commitment toexcellence has a positive impact on her peers and she is a leader in many facets of our school community.
Anastasia is a highly skilled dancer who is an integral part of our dance program. In addition to being an excellent student and performer, Anastasia helps to teach, choreograph, and peer mentor at LFAS. Over the past three years, she has been valued member of our Dance Company and Dance Leadership program. She is seen by her teachers and peers as a talented and creative artist, who is selfless and generous with her many gifts. Anastasia will leave behind a legacy of excellence and service that will impact our dance program for many years to come.
Anastasia’s contributions and accomplishments are not just limited to the dance arena. She has maintained a 97% GPA for the last two years while managing a very busy schedule! Anastasia is a leader of our environmental club called “Green Team,” where she organizes fundraisers and helps to educate her peers about sustainable living. She is a long-time member and leader of our PA-MOJA club, which works to raise money and awareness to help Kenyan children go to school while supporting the Ol Pejeta Wildlife Conservancy. Anastasia is an integral part of our Grad Council this year, yet also takes time to mentor her “little buddy” as part of the Big Brothers and Sisters Program. She has also shown great commitment to Truth and Reconciliation in many ways, including her weekly participation in our school’s drumming circle and her capstone project entitled “How Does Language Shape Thought?” Anastasia facilitated Indigenous language workshops with linguistically diverse members of our school community as part of her active research for this inquiry project.
In short, Anastasia is an example of the potential in all students. She is talented, dedicated, caring, selfless, and a role model for our entire student body. Anastasia is a leader and a humanitarian in the very best sense of the words and her presence atLangley Fine Arts School has made it a better place for all of us. I highly recommend Anastasia as a candidate for the Trevor H. Shirtliff Difference Maker Scholarship.
Student: Annya Palsitt, Grade 12
Nominating Counsellor: Karissa Sydor
Vegreville Composite High School, Vegreville, AB
Annya is apart of the rotary club here in Vegreville where they do all sorts of activities for the community. Examples include, bottle drives, lobster fest, spaghetti supper and traveling to Belize to build a playground, which she has done twice. She has also volunteered her time coaching volleyball and basketball in our school. Annya is dedicated to improving her community while also maintaining a focus on her studies. I expect great things from Annya in the future!
Student: Obanijesu Irewole Oluyemi, Grade 12
Nominating Counsellor: Chris Enns
Glenlawn Collegiate, Winnipeg, MB
I am honored to nominate Obanijesu Irewole Oluyemi for the Trevor H. Shirtliff Difference Maker Scholarship. As an outstanding student leader and dedicated community volunteer, Obani has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to academic excellence, service, and positive change.
Academically, Obanijesu excels with an impressive 98.5% average, she shows her love for mathematics by particpating in national math contests like the; Fermat, Hypatia, and the Canadian Lynx Mathematical Competition, where she was recognized as one of Manitoba’s top Grade 12 student. Beyond academics, Obani is passionate about Crocheting and giving back to her community. She runs a small business creating custom crochet pieces for clients, She has countributed over 500 hours voluntering with organisations like Folklorama, Winnipeg Fringe Fest, Family dynamics summer camp, JDRF, Dakota community Center and more.
In leadership and service, Obani serves as President of the Student Council and the Rotary Interact Club at Glenlawn collegiate, she is actively working to improve student experiences and lead community initiatives. As a member of the Louis Riel School Division Student Advisory Board she ensures that decisions made are in the best interest of students by providing the student perspective on important matters. She collaboreates with other student leaders to amplify student voices, propose solutions, and influence policies affecting the school division.
Obanijesu also represents the school at the LRSD Anti-Racism Forum, where she contributes to discussions on equity, diversity, and inclusion. She shares student perspectives, help identify systemic barriers, and provide solutions to promote a more inclusive and anti-racist school environment. Her involvement in these initiatives reflects a deep commitment to empowering others and making meaningful contributions.
What sets Obanijesu apart is her unwavering commitment to leadership and advocacy. As an immigrant, she has firsthand experience of the challenges faced by underrepresented communities and is dedicated to bridging gaps in education, technology, and community development. She believes that “talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not,” and she strives to change that through her volunteerism, leadership roles, and future aspirations. She is not only a difference-maker but also an inspiration to her peers and community. Without a doubt, Obanijesu embodies the values of a Difference Maker.
Student: Callum Stewart, Grade 12
Nominating Counsellor: Jen Kozma
Gus Wetter School, Castor, AB
It is my privilege to put Callum Stewart’s name forward for this award. Callum is an excellent example of a Difference Maker in our community. Over the years, he has consistently volunteered his time for various community events and spearheaded a successful social action project. He has a positive impact on younger students, and it’s this positivity and influence that matter significantly in our small community: it contributes to an ongoing cycle where our next generation pays it forward.
Callum is a positive, diligent and consistent student. He works hard in and out of the classroom. Aside from his community involvement and studies, Callum has a job at our county office. He is quick to assist anyone who asks, and is described as genuinely wanting to help, as opposed to feeling he is obligated. This is reflective of his integrity and strong work ethic. He is a team player and demonstrates positive behaviours toward himself and others.
Callum is a multi-sport athlete and participates in virtually all sports offered. This has offered him many opportunities to mentor younger athletes and lead by example. He has run the concession for many of our sports events, he’s reffed, coached and always stepped up when needed. He is generous with his time and is looked up to by many. He is a very deserving student and will do well in his future career goals.
Student: Jaime McGale, Grade 12
Nominating Counsellor: Karissa Sydor
Vegreville Composite High School, Vegreville, AB
Throughout the past few years, Jaime has been involved in a variety of volunteer work. While at school, she was a member of the student council since 2022 and served as secretary for the past two years. In this role, she helped organize school events and spirit days, and acted as a voice for student questions and concerns. We met weekly to discuss current and future activities and as a member of the executive council, she also volunteered additional lunch breaks and after school time to help with events. She has also participated in other school-based volunteering, such as the annual highway cleanup and scorekeeping for sports games.
Outside of school, she was involved in many community volunteer events through her membership in the Vegreville Rotary Interact Club. It is a student-led volunteer organization that focuses on community service and humanitarianism. As a third year member and vice president of the club, she was responsible for the planning and organizing of many events. These include helping at town-organized events, such as the Christmas Bureau, the corn maze and FCSS face painting. As well, she organized monthly visits to Vegreville Manor for bingo with the seniors and regular trips to help at the Food Bank. She also participated in fundraising events, like bottle drives, to fund an annual humanitarian trip to Belize to build a playground. She has attended this trip the past two years, and while there, spent a week helping build a playground for an underprivileged school in the Belize City area. Her membership in the Rotary Interact Club has allowed her to give back to her community and help support those in need, all while being part of a positive group of students.
