1940 Vic High grad鈥檚 estate donates $126,000 for bursary
The Victoria High School Alumni Association has received a $126,000 donation from the estate of a woman who graduated from the Fernwood school in 1940.
The contribution from the estate of Laura Gardom is the largest single donation ever received by the group.
The money will go to three students each year to help them with their post-secondary education 鈥� something family circumstances prevented Gardom from pursuing. There will be three $1,000 bursaries generated annually, with a $100 increase every four years to allow for inflation.
The first bursaries will be given out at Vic High鈥檚 virtual awards ceremony on June 14. Students chosen have to maintain a good academic record in any subject and be planning to attend a post-secondary institution.
Financial need can be a factor.
鈥淢om was very bright,鈥� son Ron Davis told the alumni association. 鈥淏ut her father died young, and in a single-parent family in the 1930s, resources just weren鈥檛 there for further education.
鈥淣ot being able to carry on her studies was a lifelong regret.鈥�
She died in December at 98.
Gardom, who discovered as an adult that former Lt.-Gov. Garde Gardom was her cousin, married and had a family before moving to California in the 1950s.
Davis said he and his mother made a number of trips to Victoria through the years, where they enjoyed landmarks like the Fairmont Empress Hotel and Crystal Gardens, and walked from her mother鈥檚 former home on David Street to Beacon Hill Park.
He said she loved her time at Vic High and knew the donation would be put to good use.
She also had good memories of Sir James Douglas Elementary, where her estate has donated $18,000 to build an outdoor classroom. Along with that, the estate is giving up to $50,000 in matching funds for an updated playground.
The parent advisory council is currently fundraising for that initiative.
The alumni association oversees $584,000 in funds that generate $18,000 in scholarships and bursaries every year for Vic High students. Funds are also raised for school projects and amenities.
A bus driver鈥檚 kind gesture
Two-year-old Adalyn Wall is a big fan of buses and trucks, and always makes sure to wave at them when they drive by.
She likes to walk with her parents when they accompany her older sister to and from kindergarten, and has made a habit of waving at the bus that travels along Helmcken Road each day.
鈥淥ne specific sa国际传媒 Transit driver would always wave back and it got my daughter super-excited,鈥� said her mother, Tania Wall. 鈥淲e realized it was always the same driver who drives that same Number 14 bus every day.
鈥淗er and my daughter would wave frantically at each other and it always made Adalyn鈥檚 day.鈥�
The driver behind the waves is Debbie Simpson, who has been at the wheel for 12 years.
鈥淚 always honk at kids if they wave or they鈥檙e excited about seeing a bus and she鈥檚 on my first trip out, as I start at UVic and head to the hospital,鈥� Simpson said.
A few weeks ago, Simpson decided to do something extra and pulled over at a stop as Adalyn and her family were walking past. She opened the doors and handed Adalyn a gift bag with bus-themed items like a colouring sheet and stickers, as well as a double-decker bus made of foam.
Since then, Adalyn has brought the double-decker toy every day on her walks with her sister.
The Walls told others about what happened, and now the Number 14 bus is referred to as 鈥淎ddie鈥檚 bus鈥� and draws big cheers when Simpson goes by.
Tania Wall said the experience with the bus came at the right time, with stress and isolation having affected people for so long during the COVID-19 pandemic.
鈥淎nd to have that moment of just pure, honest, innocent connection that was instigated by this bus driver 鈥� it was beautiful.鈥�
Simpson said the feeling is mutual, and she looks forward to the smiles and waves she gets.
Awards from advisory councils
The Victoria Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils has announced the winners of its annual awards, which were brought back this year after COVID-19 led to a cancellation in 2020.
VCPAC represents parent advisory councils in the Greater Victoria School District.
Communications director Angela Carmichael said she wanted to bring the awards program back as a morale booster during a difficult time.
鈥淧arents were frustrated and teachers were frustrated and students were frustrated,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 wanted people to remember that even though this is an adverse time there is a lot of great work going on in this district and there are a lot of great people who care in this district.鈥�
Here are the winners:
鈥� New Teacher Award of Distinction (for a teacher who has had a teaching certificate fewer than five years) 鈥� Kenzie Houston, Victoria West Elementary
鈥� Fine Arts Champion Award 鈥� Annie Shum, George Jay Elementary
鈥� John Young Advocacy Award (named for late school board trustee John Young) 鈥� Leila Durzi, George Jay Elementary, and Jan Picard, Victoria High School
鈥� Gail Edwards Memorial Award (named for a parent volunteer who died of cancer, the award is for someone who has passion and commitment for students) 鈥� Megan Haggerty, Victoria West Elementary
鈥� Victor Gim Inspirational Student Award (for a student who shows courage under challenging circumstances) 鈥� Elah Fox, Torquay Elementary
鈥� Parents鈥� Choice Award (for a district employee who encourages students to be their best) 鈥� Emily Foster, Rogers Elementary
鈥� Arkell Award (Named for volunteers Tom and Marilyn Arkell, who volunteered when their children were in school and also after they graduated, this award is for someone without children in school) 鈥� Laurel Hovey, Central Middle School.
VCPAC is planning a virtual awards ceremony on June 15.
Camosun honours builder
The Camosun College Foundation has established an award in recognition of John Scheeren, 64, a Victoria builder who died in December after being struck by debris that fell from a condominium under construction.
The John Scheeren 鈥淏uilding Excellence鈥� Memorial Award recognizes his contributions to the construction industry over 30 years. Scheeren became a certified carpenter through Camosun, and the award will assist carpentry, plumbing and electrical students in their efforts to learn a trade.
鈥淛ohn鈥檚 contribution to the construction industry in the capital region was significant,鈥� said Dave Chard of Chard Development. 鈥淗e was a long-time advocate and supporter of trades education. He was concerned about the shortage of skilled tradespeople, especially with so many retiring.
鈥淭raining and mentorship programs were very important to John and he often used Camosun College as a great example of the importance of educating keen and able young tradespeople.鈥�
Scheeren worked on major projects like Oak Bay High School and Bear Mountain Resort during his career, along with a number of highrises.
Chard Development, Campbell Construction and other supporters in the industry have all contributed to the award, said Geoff Wilmshurst, Camosun鈥檚 vice-president of partnerships and executive director of the Camosun College Foundation.
鈥淭he award will recognize John Scheeren鈥檚 lasting legacy and commitment to construction excellence,鈥� he said, adding the recipients will be selected 鈥渋n the near future鈥� by a college committee.
Chard said the goal is to raise enough money to give $1,000 to three students every year.
鈥淛ohn will be greatly missed,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e want to honour him and his legacy by helping develop new generations of qualified, talented tradespeople for our community.鈥�
