Vanier Collegiate graduate Gracie Kiefer is the recipient of this year’s Dubinsky Family Scholarship.
Kiefer graduated in June and was accepted at the University of Saskatchewan into commerce for this fall.
Besides outstanding academics, Kiefer was involved in several extracurricular activities and organizations as a volunteer, member, or organizer, explained Amanda Olson, superintendent of learning with the Prairie South Bursary Fund.
While at Vanier, Kiefer was a member of almost every music and drama opportunity available through the school and in the community, including the Moose Jaw Music Festival, Rotary Choral Festival, Moose Jaw Band and Choral Festival, Jazz Band, Chamber Choir, Back to Bethlehem, One Acts, and more.
Kiefer also took advantage of leadership opportunities at the school, formally as a group member and informally through her volunteerism. She was an active member of the SRC, yearbook, SADD, outreach, and the Swag Bag Co. As a member of the Swag Bag Co., Kiefer helped create 130 swag bags filled with hygiene essentials such as soap, toothbrushes, and deodorant. These bags were given to a local barber, who then delivered them to those in need.
She was also involved in school athletics as a member of the curling program and track and field team.
Furthermore, Kiefer keeps busy with many endeavours. Her gift of music led her to obtain several formal accomplishments in piano training and music theory, said Olson. Moreover, her leadership skills allowed her to offer support through babysitting and gardening for community members.
She has also demonstrated a love of learning and a strong level of commitment that will see her be successful in her post-secondary pursuits and life beyond, Olson added.
During its Sept. 13 regular meeting, city council unanimously received and filed the report, while Acting Mayor Dawn Luhning presented the scholarship to Kiefer at the start of the meeting.
In 1982, the City of Moose Jaw entered into a trust agreement with Boris Dubinsky and Administrative Consultants Limited. The purpose was to establish an endowment that the municipality would hold, with interest from the main endowment awarded annually as part of a scholarship to a Moose Jaw high school student pursuing university or college.
The scholarship amount is supposed to be equivalent to the amount of income the trust fund earned in the preceding 12-month period. The fund’s trustee is not allowed to use the principle — or any portion thereof — for any purpose other than earning income for scholarship awards.
The directors of education from Prairie South and Holy Trinity Catholic school divisions determine which nominated graduate should receive the scholarship.
The next regular council meeting is Monday, Sept. 27.
