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August 8, 2020 — Calgary, AB — The Calgary Foundation is very pleased to announce the following scholarships have been awarded from the 2020 Shannon Burwash Memorial Fund. Qualified students from across Canada applied for the three available scholarships this past June.
$2,000 Leadership Award to Kimberly Stewart
Kimberly Stewart is a current fourth year Student at the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. She has wanted to become a veterinarian since grade six after reading the Big Ben biography, which told the tale of Ian Millar’s famous show horse Big Ben. His many colic episodes and frightening trailer accident inspired her to pursue a career in which she may be able to help animals like Ben, just like the veterinarians did in the book.
Kimberly has a Bachelors degree in Zoology from the University of Calgary where she spent four years earning her degree with a year off in between her third and fourth year to take part in the elected role of one of the Calgary Stampede Princesses. Kimberly and two other women made up the trio and they took part in numerous events and rodeos around the Calgary and surrounding area as well as acting as ambassadors for the Stampede on an international scale. After her year off, she went back to school to finish her last year, joined the CS Chuckwagon Committee, and has taken on the role of Production Manager and Operational Manager for the production subcommittee.
Once Kimberly got into veterinary school she started to become more involved in the extra curricular activities the school had to offer and became the President of the Calgary Association of Veterinary Students as well as a member of numerous clubs. She was also able to host the first Theriogenology day where they had guest speakers including Dr. Wayne Burwash himself, as well as an afternoon filled with clinical skills labs focused around theriogenology. Kimberly says, “I have developed a passion for equine reproduction over the past four years and I am hoping to bring that passion to a practice once I graduate.”
$1,000 Encouragement Award to Sadie Popoff
Sadie Popoff was born in Calgary, Alberta and has been heavily involved in the equine community since moving to Cochrane in 2011. She was involved in 4H equine programs for four years and has competed in both Western and English events with her horse, Roper. In high school, she obtained her Equine Technician Green Certificate. Her experiences with horses have played a significant role in her life and has taught her many valuable lessons. It has been this involvement that has led her to pursue a career as a veterinarian.
Last year, Sadie started her first year at the University of Calgary to study biological sciences. After completing her undergraduate work, she plans on applying to veterinary school. She is interested in all aspects of equine medicine, especially the research side that explores the development of new therapeutic procedures and medicines.
Alongside equine medicine, Sadie hopes on working as a part-time or volunteer veterinarian for wildlife rehabilitation centres. She currently volunteers at the Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation to gain more experience in a clinic setting and hopes to continue working to protect wildlife. She is very excited to pursue this career as it will allow her to remain involved in the equine community and continue doing what she loves.
$1,000 Encouragement Award to Claire Horsch
Claire Horsch has had a passion for horses her whole life. Growing up on her family’s working cattle ranch has allowed her to pursue her riding dreams, and given her the opportunity to raise and train young horses. Claire has been in 4-H for eight years, and has participated in many equestrian shows and competitions with her horse projects.
This year Claire was accepted into the AQHA Young Horse Development Program and received a donated weanling filly as her project horse. She is proud to be the only Canadian participant in the 2020 program. In keeping with her passion for horses, Claire also volunteers as a horse leader and side walker with her local Therapeutic Riding Association.
This fall Claire will be starting the Bachelor of Science program at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, BC, where she plans on completing an undergraduate degree in Animal Biology before applying to veterinary school. Claire knows that working with animals is her calling and is determined to make her dream of becoming a veterinarian come true.
Since 2016, there have been two different categories of scholarship awards:
- The Leadership Award is for students advancing past their second year of studies ($2,000 award).
- The Encouragement Award is for first or second year students (2 X $1,000 awards).
Click here for the link to these two awards.
“Again this year, we were extremely impressed with all of the scholarship applicants,” said Dr. Wayne Burwash. “This is the sixth year that The Calgary Foundation has awarded the scholarships since Shannon’s passing in 2013, and we have now awarded $23,000 in scholarships. Congratulations to all the recipients and best wishes for rewarding careers involving the horse.”
For more information, click here to visit the CQHA Youth Programs and Opportunities webpage.
Shannon Burwash was a leader and a lover of the horse industry across Canada. The scholarships are awarded to deserving students who are focused on getting a post-secondary education, and being involved in the horse industry in their future.
Help CQHA expand scholarship support with a donation to the Shannon Burwash Memorial Fund for Equine and Agricultural Studies
Our overall goal was to raise $125,000 so the fund can keep generating annual awards to deserving students into the future. Dr. Burwash is most appreciative of all the generous donors who have enabled us to reach this important milestone. As of 2019, the fund reached its target goal of $125,000, but welcomes further donations so that it may increase the number of scholarships awarded annually.
To Donate:
Online: Visit calgaryfoundation.org choose “Donate” at the top, right hand side of webpage, then click on the link for “Donate to an Existing Fund”, and then search the drop-down menu for “Shannon Burwash Memorial Fund for Equine for Equine and Agricultural Studies” (listed alphabetically). VISA and MasterCard are accepted.
By Phone: To pay by credit card over the phone, call 403-802-7700 during office hours 8:00 am – 4:00 pm. Please do NOT leave your credit card number on voicemail.
In Person: The Calgary Foundation, Kananoff Centre, #1180,105 12th Ave., SE, Calgary during office hours.
By Mail: Make cheques payable to The Calgary Foundation, indicating “Shannon Burwash Memorial Award” in the memo section. Mail to The Calgary Foundation, 1180 – 105 12 Avenue SE., Calgary, AB T2G 1A1
Tax Receipts for Donations: A Canadian tax receipt will be issued for donations over $25
For more information, contact Ms. Darlene Chrapko, Director, Awards & Scholarships, at The Calgary Foundation at T: 403-802-7711 or Email: dchrapko@calgaryfoundation.org
