Submitted by Muriel Dais
The Sheep Creek Arts council directors are very pleased to announce the names of the two recipients of scholarships. In 2014, the amount in each scholarship was raised to one thousand dollars. Applications from outstanding students were received. Kathlene (Katie) Campbell, daughter of Shirley Campbell of Black Diamond, graduated from Oilfields High School in 2014. She was recommended by Paul Rasporich for her achievements in art. She is in her first year of studies at Southern Alberta Institute of Technology in the New Media Production and Design programme. A dance major in her second year at University of Calgary, Elizabeth Burney, has received the second scholarship. Liz graduated from Holy Trinity Academy in 2013. Her creative and highly motivated efforts were outlined by Wendy Doerksen, her drama teacher from Holy Trinity. Liz’s parents, Allan and Jan, live in Turner Valley.
Because their achievements were so impressive and their applications so well organized, the Directors of the Sheep Creek Arts Council, this year, decided to make two further special awards available, each in the amount of five hundred dollars. These awards are being made from proceeds of our annual Rhubarb Tea rather than from Alberta Gaming Commission Funds as the two scholarships are. Blair Jeffery, daughter of Julie and Ben Jeffery, of Black Diamond, studies at Alberta College of Art and Design. Blair also received the 2013 scholarship from SCAC. The second special award goes to Erin Vance, who is entering her third year at University of Calgary. Erin combines earning a very high grade point average with the Autism Aspergers’ Friendship Society. There she helps those with “an affinity for story telling, reading or writing” A graduate of Holy Trinity Academy in 2012, Erin resides with her parents, Kelly and Jennifer, on an acreage east of Black Diamond.
These four young people are only the most recent beneficiaries of the awards provided by the Sheep Creek Arts Council for students going on to post-secondary studies in the fine arts. These awards have been made since the 1970’s, when the sales of the history book “In the Light of the Flares” provided the funds. More recently funds have come from our volunteering at Casinos. Also we have used proceeds from the Rhubarb Tea to make special awards. All scholarship applicants must be residents in the bus zone for Oilfields High School.