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The annual memorial award, now in its fourth year, will recognize and provide funds to local athletes pursuing post-secondary education each year.
The families of Kyle Vanderburg and Don Gagnon are pleased to announce the recipients of the fourth annual Kyle Vanderburg & Don Gagnon Memorial Scholarship Award.
The annual scholarship recognizes hockey players who are graduating from high school and pursuing post-secondary education opportunities. Recipients represent the legacy and spirit of Kyle Vanderburg and Don Gagnon – who had a significant impact on the local hockey community throughout their lifetimes – through leadership, dedication, and a love for the sport and our community.
This year’s recipients, Jagur Vommaro and Dae Wood,were selected for their outstanding achievements both on and off the ice.
Vommaro, a student of St. Mary’s College, will be attending Wilfrid Laurier University to pursue a Bachelor of Business Administration and Wood, a future Korah graduate, is set to begin a Bachelor of Science in Biology program at Algoma University in the Fall.
Both of these students have played hockey locally and contributed meaningfully to our community through sports, charity work, and mentorship from a young age, embodying the legacy of Kyle and Don in their actions.
“I’m truly grateful for the award,” expressed Wood. “It was an incredible honour to receive and it will help pay for books and tuition next year.”
“I am truly honoured to be recognized through this award as these two coaches have remarkable legacies,” Vommaro said. “I plan to use this scholarship to help pay for my tuition as well as extra expenses associated with attending university out of town.”
“Thanks to this award, it will allow me to have the ability to focus more on my education and work hard towards my future goals.”
Thanks to generous community contributions, the value of each scholarship has grown from $750 at its inception to $1,250 per recipient, providing crucial support for students furthering their education. Since the award’s launch, $9,000 has been distributed to local high school athletes who have developed their skills and character through hockey.
Additional fundraisers are being planned to grow the scholarship’s impact in the years ahead. The families encourage the community to stay tuned for upcoming events and opportunities to support the legacy of Kyle and Don.
For more information or to get involved, please visit the website here contact [email protected].
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