Three deserving students receive WLCF bursaries.

The Williams Lake Community Forest is pleased to congratulate two local 2020 Graduates and 1 local returning post-secondary student with bursaries of $1,665 each.

Kyla Wallin:

My name is Kyla Wallin. I have lived in Williams Lake my entire life and have been constantly immersed in nature which has led me to find a passion for the outdoors. Throughout my short lifetime, I have been on many hiking, canoeing, and camping trips in and around the Cariboo and am not finished yet! I will be entering my second year of the Natural Resource Science program at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops. My goal is to be able to conserve and manage our forests and parks for future generations to enjoy. I wish to provide wildlife with the healthy ecosystems through proper management techniques. This summer, I’ve had the opportunity to work at the Potato House Project for the past 2 months and have gained knowledge on sustainable practices and heritage. I am now currently employed as a Student Park Ranger with BC Parks and remain dedicated to exploring and protecting the beauty of the Cariboo.

Jayven McBride:

My name is Jayven McBride and my plan is to become a heavy-duty mechanic. I just graduated this year, and I have big plans for after high school. Currently I am working for Ty Hoffman at Royce Cook’s shop. There, I work on their logging trucks and do things such as work on the truck trailers or fix the truck themselves. I have been working as a mechanic for them for 3 years, but I worked there doing yard work for 2-3 years before that. This is a great job for me to build my skills and learn because it is a friendly work environment as well as I am able to try new things and I am taught new skills daily. This job gives me a chance to explore different things while being a mechanic and I think that is what I need right now to grow as a heavy-duty mechanic.
When I was in grade 11 I was accepted into the Ace-It program at Thompson Rivers University in my hometown of Williams Lake. This is an opportunity to complete your first year in the trade of your choice during your grade 12 year of high school. I was in grade 10 when I had to apply so I could finish the required grade 12 courses a year early. I did so, and in grade 11 I was accepted. I got my level one heavy duty mechanics even before I officially got to graduate high school. Now that I am done, I would like to go back for my level two heavy duty mechanics in April of 2021. I want to go back in April because I would like to save up money for the living expenses I will have to pay. Thanks to the bursaries, I will not have any tuition to pay, so that is something I will not have to worry about. I want to work full time until I have to go back to University so I can pay for my living expenses, just like I mentioned before. For University, I am planning on going to Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops to finish my years of schooling. I think it would be the best school for me. After finishing my fourth year for heavy duty mechanics, I want to write my red seal and become a certified mechanic. My red seal is like a final test into becoming a certified heavy-duty mechanic. After that, I will start looking for a future promising career and grow as a mechanic. As for my life, I can’t wait to take the journey through post-secondary and grow as a heavy-duty mechanic as well as a person. I also cannot wait to explore the career of being a heavy-duty mechanic and see what the occupation has to offer.

Brandon Rosner:

My name is Brandon Rosner.  I was born and raised in Williams Lake, enjoying dirt-biking, fishing, mountain-biking, snowboarding and tinkering with vehicles in the great outdoors.  I’ve recently graduated from the Cariboo Adventist Academy, and currently work at the West Fraser Plywood Plant.  I will be attending TRU in the Welding Foundation Program through the Youth Train in Trades Program, and my goals are to obtain Red Seal Welder and Millwright tickets.

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