Two WCS Students Awarded First-Ever Kailynn Bursic-Panchuk Memorial Scholarship

Two Weyburn Comprehensive students were awarded the Kailynn Bursic-Panchuk Memorial Scholarship during the WCS Awards night on Tuesday.

Hannah Grieve and Jillian Labatte both received $1,000 to go toward their post-secondary education in a field that will make the world better. Grieve plans to go into Social Work, while Labatte plans to study Nursing.

Kailynn's mom, Sandra LaRose said those present gave her an unexpected but heart-warming standing ovation.

“It was emotional,” she shared. “At the end of my speech, everybody stood and that was so warming. I could feel Kailynn's presence in the room, just when that happened, and it wasn't expected, I really didn't expect to have that kind of reception, but I thank everybody for that.”

She said she said she was honoured to give the scholarships to Hannah and Jillian not only because they ‘epitomize everything that Kailynn stood for’, but they also had a hand in shaping Kailynn into the person she was.

“Not just Hannah and Jillian, everybody who had contact with Kailynn had some impact on her life to bring her to the person that she was,” she added.

With 23 applicants, the decision was based on a number of character-based criteria.

“Compassion, empathy, leadership and empowerment had to be a must in the recipient's life in and out of school,” said LaRose. “As well as filling out the application form, they had to get a letter of reference from a staff member at the Comp as well as a non-related community member to show me and my family that they lived their life like Kailynn did.”

“Kailynn lived her life making choices and decisions to better the lives of others. She showed compassion, empathy, leadership and a love for everyone, no matter who they were. She would find the good in anybody, even if nobody could find the good in themselves or nobody else could find the good in them, Kailynn would find it,” LaRose shared.

The scholarship fund was original created with funds raised through Kailynn’s ‘Go Fund Me’ page while she was in hospital in Saskatoon. After that, donations were made to contribute in lieu of flowers at Kailynn’s funeral.

While the recipients were Kailynn's friends, LaRose said they were both well-deserving of the scholarship.

“I went through all the applicants, and Hannah and Jillian definitely stood out,” she explained. “Coincidentally, they were two of Kailynn's best friends, so I couldn't not give it to them based on the fact that they were Kailynn's friends, when they were so deserving of it.”

She noted this year two scholarships were given because Kailynn would have graduated with the WCS Class of 2019. She said going forward, it will be presented to only one person each year.