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Students receive assistance from Thorpe scholarship

Since 2006, the Thorpes have provided $102,250 to 49 students entering Okanagan College
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Six South Okanagan students have received some financial assistance through the Rick and Yasmin Thorpe and Friends scholarship.

Four students from Penticton and Summerland each received a $2,500 Scholarship for Secondary School Graduates. Another two each received a $1,000 Entrance Award for Trades and Technology.

“It’s really nice to have help when you are going to school, because costs can be a barrier,” said Makeena Hartmann, who graduated from Princess Margaret Secondary School in Penticton.

With a 99.8 per cent grade point average, Hartmann had a choice of post-secondary options. She chose to enrol in the Associate of Arts Degree program at Okanagan College because she was impressed by the college’s reputation.

Other winners of the $2,500 scholarships are Hailey Grunow and Mickella Di Lorenzo Biggs, also graduates of Princess Margaret Secondary School, and Ericka Bidwell, a Summerland Secondary School graduate.

Matthew Ironside and Timothy Bey, both of Penticton, received the $1,000 awards.

Since 2006, the Thorpes have provided $102,250 to 49 students entering Okanagan College.

“The contributions of Rick and Yasmin Thorpe impact our students in transformative ways as they begin their educational journey at the College,” said Kathy Butler, Executive Director of the Okanagan College Foundation.

“We deeply appreciate their donations, and the support of our other donors in Penticton who provide life-changing opportunities for students.”

Each year, the Thorpes present scholarships in person.

“Meeting with students is very uplifting,” said Yasmin John-Thorpe. “They are enthusiastic and happily optimistic about their future.”

“We’re trying to give back to the area that has been good to us,” said Rick Thorpe.

Applications for the 2018 Rick and Yasmin Thorpe and Friends Scholarships will open in early November and will close in March.

The application guidelines are available online at www.okanagan.bc.ca/awards.



John Arendt

About the Author: John Arendt

John Arendt has worked as a journalist for more than 30 years. He has a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Journalism degree from Ryerson Polytechnical Institute.
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