This Fund was started in memory of Jack Buckham who was a strong believer of the potential of high school athletics to empower young people. Jack’s identity was interwoven with the school sports programs he built, teams he coached, individual players he invested himself in and the committees that he led or worked within to build athletic venues and host provincial and national championships in the Kamloops-Thompson region.

Jack believed that through struggles in athletic competition, student athletes developed the self-worth, resilience, citizenship and commitment that are the foundation of strong leaders. To develop generations of leaders that help improve society, Jack was adamant that all young people should have the opportunity to participate in athletics and he worked tirelessly to include as many people as possible in school sports.

This fund is used to support graduating students within School District #73 (Kamloops/Thompson) in their post-secondary education. The awards from this Fund are available student athletes whose actions and behaviours have embodied Jack’s values. The award honours those who pursued their athletic goals with disregard to the possibility of failure in those pursuits. Most importantly, it honours those who created a welcoming and supportive atmosphere that encouraged other students to engage in athletics or in other endeavours of the greater school community.

In these ways, award winners have exuded the leadership qualities Jack valued so highly and exemplified Jack’s belief that “Together Everyone Achieves More”.

For more information, visit the School District 73 website at: SD#73 Scholarships + Bursaries. Detailed information can be found in the application located in the ‘School District No. 73 District Scholarships’ section.