Donations of $25.00 or more are issued a receipt. Each donation you make will be added to your total so you can work your way up to Silver, Gold or Platinum status.
Platinum ($50,000 or more)
Named Scholarship
Name on Permanent donor plaque
Annual write up and photo in the graduation program
A lifetime legacy
Two invitations to the graduation program each year
Gold ($10,000 - $49,999)
Name on Permanent donor plaque
Annual write up and photo in the graduation program
A lifetime legacy
Two invitations to the graduation program each year
Silver ($1,000 - $9,999)
Name on permanent donor plaque
Annual recognition in the graduation program
Memorial Named Scholarship Write up in the graduation program
Donations under $1000
Recognition in the graduation program for that year
Mary Hellofs, teacher and author, taught in the Tisdale School Division from 1956 until her retirement in 1975. Mary loved children, and it was her dream to ensure that all students, regardless of their financial restraints, have the opportunity to continue their education and to fulfil their academic goals. It was Mary’s initial generous donation of $10 000 in 1989 that made the TUCS Scholarship Fund possible. The TMSS Scholarship Fund is a testimony to the fact that dreams can come true. The Mary Hellofs Award is presented annually to a graduating student who is pursuing post-secondary studies and has obtained an academic average of 80% or higher. The amount to be awarded is $500.
Lorne Albert Carson was born September 1, 1923. He was raised on the family farm by Valparaiso, Saskatchewan, and lived and worked there as an adult. He passed away on November 2, 2011. He was a farmer at heart, a good neighbor, and always ready to help his fellowman. Gizella Wagner was born April 24, 1920, in Hungary. She was raised in the Anaheim district of Saskatchewan. She was a trained nurse and was active in Tisdale area hospitals for many years. She passed away July 21, 2006. They were married and lived in the Valparaiso community. They were recognized with a Family Farm Heritage Award in 1980, because Lorne’s family had been living on the home farm for seventy-five years. Their farmyard and garden were always carefully tended, and admired by all who saw it. They attended the Roman Catholic Church in Tisdale. They shared a love of travel, and visited many European countries as well as many spots on the North American continent. Lorne and Gizella had no children. A portion of their estate was given to the TMSS Scholarship Fund. Their donation was over $200,000, with the directive to fund students studying in the field of nursing. The Gizella and Lorne Carson Memorial Scholarship of $2000 was presented for the first time in 2013.
This scholarship has been generously created in honour of Richard Hildebrand’s grandmother, Molly. As a girl growing up in the Northwest Territories in 1892, there was no school close to the family’s homestead. As a result, many children, Molly included, were illiterate. These individuals were determined to make a better future for the next generations. They persevered and raised families, built schools for their children, sent sons to defend Canada and left behind a legacy of hard work and a prosperous nation for those who followed. This scholarship is awarded to a student who has taken advantage of the cocurricular opportunities at TMSS in grades 10-12. The student has been part of at least 9 co-curricular activities and has demonstrated academic excellence.
Boyd’s father, Henry Hamilton, arrived in Tisdale in 1907 with his parents Abner and Margaret. It was here Henry met and married Mary (Minnie) Boyd. Boyd Hamilton was born in Tisdale and received his primary and secondary education here. Following his naval service in WW II, he attended the University of Saskatchewan. Later, Boyd became a bee-inspector and had his own bee business. Boyd passed away January, 2002. Elsie’s parents came from Norway and settled west of Sylvania. Elsie was also born in Tisdale; she attended South Star primary school and completed high school at Arpsville. She attended University in Saskatoon and taught for three years until she and Boyd married in 1947. Although Elsie presently resides in Florida, she and Boyd have always considered the Tisdale district “home”, and have been generous in assisting local scholars. Boyd and Elsie made their first contribution to the TUCS Scholarship Fund in 1991. This was followed by contributions in 1994, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000. Now, their total pledge exceeds $100 000. Each year, a scholarship is presented in their honour to the graduating student with the highest academic standing.
As young children, Henry Hamilton and Mary (Minnie) Boyd came to Tisdale with their parents in 1905 and 1907 respectively. In 1919, Henry arried Minnie Boyd who, by then, was a young school- teacher in Crooked River. Together, they farmed, had an insurance agency and pioneered the bee business. Henry and Minnie had four children: Boyd Hamilton, deceased, who lived in Key West, Florida; Gladys Calton, who lives in Gainsville, Florida; Florence Kidney, who lives in Tisdale, Saskatchewan; and Muriel Downs, deceased, who lived in Norfolk, Virginia. Like their parents before them, Henry and Minnie valued education and made sacrifices to ensure their families received the benefit of formal schooling. Henry and Minnie spent many winters at Key West, Florida, but came home to Tisdale every summer. Both are now deceased and buried in the Tisdale Cemetery. A scholarship is presented in their honour to the graduating student with the second highest academic standing.
A scholarship was established in 1994 to honour Boyd’s two sets of grandparents. Abner and Margaret moved from Neepawa, Manitoba to homestead in the Tisdale area in 1907. Samuel Boyd and his wife, Elizabeth, moved from Dauphin, Manitoba to Saskatchewan in 1905, and recorded a homestead in the Golburn area. Both sets of grandparents valued education and made sacrifices to ensure their families received the benefit of formal schooling. The third place academic award is named in their honour.
Two long-time Tisdale residents set up trusts with the encouragement and assistance of their lawyer, Kirby Burningham. The first one, the John Barron Trust, began in 2003, shortly before John’s death. John lived in the Tisdale region all his life and was the owner and operator of Barron’s Funeral Home. He served 14 years on the Town Council during which the Tisdale RECplex was completed. The second trust, the Kay Montgomery Trust, was set up in 2007. In 1945, Kay and her husband, Ab, bought the Tisdale Hotel. After Ab died in 1970, Kay continued to run the hotel until she retired in 1999. She bought her first house then, having always lived in the hotel. Kay was very generous with her community. The trusts were set up to benefit the town and RM of Tisdale. If you visit the Town Square, the Hospital, the Museum, the RECplex theater or auditorium, the bridge over the Doghide River that leads to the Golf Course, the Tennis Court, or the Riverside Golf Course, you are seeing some of the places that have been able to use funding from the Trusts. Scholarships, to help young people with their post-secondary education, are important to the John Barron and Kay Montgomery Trusts.
Henry Woodkey was born in Inglis, Manitoba and started working there for the Madison-Lindsay Grain Company as an elevator agent in 1928. After moves to Foam Lake, SK and Angusville, MB., Henry moved to Tisdale as an elevator agent for the Searle Grain Company. By the time he retired in 1969, Searle had amalgamated with the Federal Grain Company. Henry married Vi in 1932. Vi was a teacher at the time. Henry and Vi had four children: Bernie, Ken, Carolynne and Wendy. All four graduated from Tisdale Unit Composite High School and have successful careers. In 1995, Mr. Woodkey donated $12 505 to the TUCS Scholarship Fund in the memory of his wife, Vi. Henry Woodkey passed away in July, 1997. The Henry and Vi Woodkey Scholarship is awarded to the graduating student obtaining the fourth highest academic standing.
Cornerstone Credit Union is truly committed to supporting the communities it serves and is proud to contribute to the TMSS Scholarship Fund. We believe that, it is with this type of commitment to our communities, we will continue to promote the betterment of our youth. At Cornerstone Credit Union we strongly believe that learning is an ongoing process and are extremely pleased to be able to recognize a graduating student’s academic achievements. We are privileged to celebrate our youth through the presentation of this award in our name. The Cornerstone Credit Union Scholarship Award is presented annually to the graduating student with the fifth highest academic overall standing.
Sixth place academic standing will henceforth be known as the TUCS Alumni Association Scholarship. The Alumni Association has ceased to exist as an organization. This group, in the past, organized a basketball game and dance every year on December 26. Some proceeds from this activity were donated to the scholarship fund. When the association was disbanded, the remaining funds were dispersed, and our scholarship fund received another donation. This moved the total to Gold status, and a named scholarship. Many people in our community are TUCS alumni, and can take pride in helping to build our scholarship fund.
Ruth Jabusch (Le Grand) was a local hair stylist who owned and operated a hair salon in Tisdale for many years, beginning in 1951 and continuing through the 1980s. She was a skilled and well regarded stylist and a true female pioneer who succeeded in the business world before equality in the workplace was broadly supported as it is today. Ruth passed away in 2015 at the age of 90. This scholarship is awarded in her memory to a person wishing to further their career within the beauty and hair design industry. This scholarship is valued at $1000.
Kevin Jabusch and Cheryl Jabusch (nee Brown) are former students of TUCS who graduated in 1976 with Cheryl having the privilege of being Class Valedictorian. They were married in 1981 and made their home in Calgary where Cheryl continued her work as a registered nurse and Kevin started an engineering career in the oil and gas industry. They continue to reside in Calgary today and have three children and three grandchildren. Over the last 40 years they have maintained a strong connection to Tisdale and are grateful for their small town upbringing and for the quality primary and secondary education they received. Kevin and Cheryl feel fortunate to be able to offer this academic scholarship to a deserving student of TMSS.
The Tisdale Lions Club was founded in December 1947 and had its Charter Night on May 12, 1948. The Lions, a year later, had a car raffle to assist the school which had burned. Minutes from that year note $3624.99 in tickets sold for the school. Also in that year, $2500 was donated to establish school libraries in Tisdale and for the next 20 years $500 was given annually to the school library. In January 1951, a $50 scholarship was started by the Lions at the High School. In May of 1963, at the request of the Tisdale Composite, our general proficiency trophy was changed to an award for the highest academic excellence. That trophy is still awarded today. Tisdale Lions are pleased to serve the needs of students in our town. The 8th place academic award is named the Tisdale Lions Club Scholarship.
Tisdale’s Kinsmen Club was chartered in 1958 by a group of community-minded businessmen. Supporting the education of Tisdale’s future generations is consistent with the Kin motto “Serving the Community’s Greatest Need”. By contributing to the TMSS Scholarship Fund, the Tisdale Kinsmen Club acknowledges the dedication and achievements of TMSS graduates. The Tisdale Kinsmen Club Scholarship is awarded to the student with the ninth highest academic standing.
W E WOOLLEY, CPA PROF. CORP. along with their predecessors have been serving Tisdale and area for over 35 years. We are proud to have supported the TMSS Scholarship Fund since its inception and we will continue our support into the future. We believe an education is a foundation for a successful livelihood and a strong community. Recognizing academic achievements only enhances this foundation. We are extremely proud to be associated with such a fine cause as the TMSS Scholarship Fund. The W E WOOLLEY CPA Scholarship is presented annually to the student with the tenth highest academic standing.
Ernie and Irene Markwart were both born and raised in Rosthern, Saskatchewan. Ernie trained and apprenticed as a watchmaker and also attended the ‘Labelle School of Beauty, Culture and Barbering’ in Saskatoon. In December of 1949, Ernie came to Tisdale to accept a position barbering. In June of 1950, Ernie was joined by his new bride Irene. In the fall of 1960, they purchased Clark’s Jewellery store. Working their own business was very challenging and fulfilling. In 1978, they were joined at the store by their oldest son, Timothy. In 1982, their youngest son, Trent, joined them in the store full-time. Ernie, Irene, Tim and Trent oversaw the business with the help of various staff over the years. They expanded their business and purchased the Jewellery store location at the Tisdale Mall. Brothers Fine Jewellery started operation in 1987. In 1989, Irene and Ernie retired from Markwart Jewellers which is still owned and operated by their son Trent and his wife. Over the years, Ernie and Irene joined in various community groups and activities. Ernie and Irene made Tisdale their home and enjoyed giving back to the community that had given to them. They gave generously to various community endeavours such as the Renew and Expand, Tisdale Hospital and the Legacy Committee. The eleventh place academic scholarship is named in their honour.
Grant, born and raised in the Runciman area and Karen (nee Bowditch), born and raised in the Sylvania area, attended Tisdale Unit Composite School together - both graduating in 1960. Karen became a registered nurse after graduating from the St. Paul’s School of Nursing in 1963. Grant graduated from the College of Pharmacy in 1964 with his degree in Pharmacy. After several years of working in Saskatoon, they decided to return home to Tisdale to farm and raise their family. While raising their family, Grant worked as a pharmacist at Lacroix Drug in the winters and farmed during the warmer months. Grant passed away in 2017. Karen worked as a R.N. at Sasko Park Lodge for many years and then began working as the Home Care Co-ordinator for Tisdale and area. The couple was actively involved in various committees and community organizations - and always stressed to heir children the importance of being actively involved in the community. Grant and Karen farmed until 2010, when they semi-retired and moved to town. All four of their children, Tracy, Scott, Nicole and Ian attended T.U.C.S. and six of their 13 grandchildren attend TMSS. The twelfth place academic scholarship is named in their honour.
Northeast Financial Services have been serving the financial and insurance needs of many people in the Tisdale area since 1995. They are proud to be a supporter of the TMSS Scholarship Fund at this level because Kent, Karen and their three children: Kris, Karissa, and Kandace all graduated from TUCS/TMSS and certainly appreciated the benefits they received from their education here in Tisdale. All three children also benefited directly from the TMSS Scholarship Fund and are currently employed in the Tisdale area. Kris was a teacher here at TMSS between 2010-2014 and then left to join his father in Northeast Financial Services. That same year, Kandace joined the TMSS staff. Education is an extremely important part of one’s life and graduation is a time to honor the years of commitment and hard work of that individual. As such, it is hoped that this scholarship will be used by the student to further their own educational goals. There is an old verse that says, “Run in such a way as to get the prize.” Congratulations, graduate for being the runner to win this prize. Use it in the best way possible! The thirteenth place scholarship is named Northeast Financial Services – Kent and Kris Little Scholarship.
Lacroix Drug has been a staple and pillar of Tisdale since George Lacroix founded it in 1905, and it has been a big source of community support ever since. One of the pioneer businesses of Tisdale, Lacroix Drug has carried the name of its founder for its entire existence. In 1977, Reid and Jean Homstol purchased the business from Gerry Barber, and it was passed on to the next Homstol generation in 2008, when they sold it to current owners, Scott and Kristie Homstol. Over the years, Tisdale has watched Lacroix Drug transform from a traditional drug dispensary with a few front store items, to a “one stop shop” for healthcare, gifts, and a variety of other products. Lacroix Drug has always been well known for its friendly accommodating staff, and superb customer service. This organizational culture has translated into the same method of thinking in terms of supporting many community initiatives including the TMSS Scholarship Fund. Since Scott and Kristie Homstol both graduated from TMSS, and expect their three children to also be future TMSS grads, they recognize the importance of these scholarships. The Lacroix Drug Scholarship is presented annually to the student with the fourteenth highest academic standing.
The Beeland Co-op cares about the things that are important to its members, and we are proud to be part of the community and to support the organizations, projects, and events that are doing good things close to home. A strong social conscience has always been part of our co-op; in fact, the co-operative business model has been built on a foundation of community involvement and service. As a strong co-operative enterprise with significant community ties, Beeland Coop is proud of our co-operative roots. Our members are rewarded for their loyalty through patronage payments totalling more than $7.8 million over the last 10 years. Along with these patronage payments we have donated over $600 thousand over the last 10 years to local charity’s, non-profits, scholarships and other fundraising groups so they can continue their great work in our communities. With this proud history of supporting our community Beeland Co-op takes pride in helping TMSS with their scholarship program.
Meridian Ventures is a proud supporter of the TMSS scholarship program. While agriculture is the base of our local economy, people, and especially our youth are our strongest asset. Meridian Ventures as a corporate citizen directly supporting the agriculture industry, we feel it is important to support our local youth as they move forward with their continued education. Congratulations to all the graduates! The fifteenth place academic scholarship is named the Beeland Coop and Meridian Ventures Scholarship.
Justin Peterson went to school in Ridgedale to the end of Grade 6, and then attended TMSS until his graduation in 2003. He took the Process Operators Course at SIAST, to work with steam engineering. He started work with Bunge Canada at Nipawin in 2004. Justin was taking more classes at the time of his sudden death in 2006. In school, Justin played football, and loved to compete in track and field, and long distance running. Outside of school, he had many outdoor interests: riding his toboggan and four-wheeler, hunting, fishing, and going to the lake. He loved spending time with his family and friends. He lived life to the fullest. Giving up was never an option for Justin. To honour Justin’s memory, his friends and family have raised money to establish, in 2008, the Justin Peterson Memorial Scholarship. It will be presented to a student with interests similar to Justin’s. The recipient must plan to attend a technical school, with a goal of outdoor or hands-on employment. The value of this scholarship is $1 000.
Shirley Hunt began teaching for the Tisdale School Division in the wonderful world of Kindergarten in 1982. She loved the children and the children loved Mrs. Hunt! She welcomed many little faces into her classroom each year until her retirement in 2005. During those years she had the opportunity to introduce many students to school and help them develop a keen interest in learning. She was able to do this in fun and memorable ways that many of her students will remember to this day. It is likely that each student that Shirley taught would be able to tell you what their role was in the Kindergarten Circus and perhaps tell you of some funny or entertaining incidents that they remember from their year in Kindergarten. She took great interest in seeing her students graduate and go on to further their education in their chosen field. She would be proud of each and every one of them in their accomplishments. In the last few years of Shirley’s life, she took time to rekindle an old hobby of painting. She always loved learning new techniques and perfecting her painting skills. Shirley was also born with the gift of music. Each day, Shirley’s classroom would have the sound of little voices singing songs to the strum of her guitar. Shirley passed from this life in September, 2006. The Shirley Hunt Memorial Scholarship was established in 2007. This $1 000 scholarship is presented to a student who will enrol in Education or the Arts.
Julien LeStrat began teaching in Tisdale in 1971, retiring in 1996 after a 31-year teaching career. Julien was well-respected as a teacher, in Tisdale (1971-1996). After his retirement, he continued to tutor and mentor young people who needed extra help with their math skills. Julien’s dedication to education was fundamental to his character. Julien’s untimely death in July 2007 left the community of Tisdale reeling. Julien was a Director on the Board of Tisdale Credit Union, active in the K-40 Club, on the finance committee for the Catholic Church, and also served as a Board Member for the Cumberland Regional College. Julien was also a founding director of the TMSS Scholarship Fund and served in the capacity of director from 1988 until his passing. He capably handled the finances of the scholarship fund, as well as many contacts with donors. Julien was a quiet, insightful man, and his words held meaning. His contributions to the organizations he served were many, and made a difference in our community. In 2008, Cornerstone Credit Union made a donation to the TMSS Scholarship Fund in the name of Julien LeStrat - as recognition, not only of his lifelong devotion to educating youth, but to recognize his commitment to the co-operative movement and the spirit of co-operation. Julien exemplified the co-operative spirit through his practice of the co-operative values and principles. His contributions to the co-operative system, and in particular, to Tisdale Credit Union will provide a lasting legacy, and allow Julien to live on in spirit through this award. The Julien LeStrat Memorial Scholarship “the Spirit of Co-operation”, is presented to the student who best exemplifies the values held by the man it honours. This scholarship is valued at $500.
Growing up on a farm south of Regina, Harley dreamed of becoming an engineer. In pursuit of this dream, he went to live with relatives in Winnipeg where he attended a high school that offered courses in pre-engineering. However, the Great Depression prevented his fulfilling his goal. The closest Harley got to work in his area of interest was during WW II when he was assigned to aircraft maintenance and inspection. Following the war, he worked as a mechanic and then a machinist at Bowman Brothers until his retirement in 1969. Hazel was living in Port Hope at the outbreak of WW II when she met Harley. They were married the following year. Hazel spent the war years in Montreal working for the defense department and played an important role in the construction of military airports all across the country. Shortly after moving to Tisdale, Hazel worked as a secretary at the Tisdale School Unit Office and continued in their employ until 1969. Mrs. Ranson passed away in July of 1994. Mr. Ranson passed away in July, 2001. The Ranson Scholarship was established in 1995 with a donation of $30 000. It was Mr. Ranson’s desire that students receiving these awards pursue post-secondary training in the area of engineering or a related field of science. He looked forward to providing others with the opportunity that eluded him, the opportunity to pursue a career in engineering. This scholarship is valued at $1 000.
This Scholarship was created in loving memory of Mrs. McRae, who was a devoted school teacher in the Tisdale area for much of her life. Her first four years of teaching were at Allan, SK, where she was heavily involved in the High School Drama Club. She then taught in Ridgedale until 1979, when she moved to Tisdale Elementary School and taught there until her retirement in 2002. Darlene loved and enjoyed all of her Grade Five students and they loved and enjoyed Mrs. McRae. She believed childhood could be a magical and imaginative time of life; a time to treasure and remember always. She put fun and adventure into the classroom whether sharing the magic of C. S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia or planning and preparing for the annual Grade Five Family Dance. Darlene loved to dance and even after retiring, she continued to enjoy ballroom dancing. In 2005 Darlene embarked on one of her greatest adventures, teaching English at a Women’s University in Seoul, Korea. She thoroughly enjoyed this experience, and stayed for almost two years. Darlene believed in the importance of choosing to take the positive outlook in any situation, and she encouraged those she knew and cared about, to always do the same. That included her students. She was an encouragement to all who knew her. She demonstrated to family and friends how to embrace the adventure and magic in every day and in doing so, to see the child in ourselves and in each other. Darlene Hunt passed from this life on November 30, 2012. The Memorial Scholarship was established in 2013 and will be presented to a student who will pursue a career in Education, OR Drama, Music, Visual, Graphic or Computer based Arts.
Gary and Jean have both lived and made a living from agriculture during their entire lives. Gary was born and raised on a farm near Tisdale. Jean lived on a farm near Roblin, Manitoba. Gary was part of the first graduating class from TUCS in 1956. He went on to the University of Saskatchewan where he attended the School of Agriculture first, then got a bachelor degree from the College of Agriculture in 1961. After doing a few different jobs in various locations, the two of them settled on their farm in Tisdale in 1974. Their farm involved both grain and cattle, operated by themselves until 2012. At that time, they moved into Caleb Village and live there now. Over their career, they saw huge changes in the agricultural industry, and found their love of learning was a necessity to their farming success. In their retirement, they have chosen to donate to this scholarship, to support education in Agriculture for local students.
Walter and Kathleen (Mateyko) Shwetz grew up in the Gronlid area, northwest of Tisdale. Walter joined SaskPower in 1960 and trained as a journeyman lineman based out of Regina. He and Kathy moved to Tisdale in 1967 to be closer to family and build their farming operation. Their three daughters were raised and educated in Tisdale. After 35 years with SaskPower, Walter retired in 1996 and Walter and Kathleen moved back to the Gronlid area and continued farming under Agri-Pine Farms Ltd until 2017. After stepping away from the farming operations, Walter and Kathleen retired to Tisdale, in 2021, and are enjoying retirement. Walter and Kathy are please to be able to give back to the community by donating $10,000 to the TMSS Scholarship Fund. Public healthcare was born in Saskatchewan, and they want to ensure that trained health care professionals continue to provide quality healthcare. It is their desire to provide $1,500 to a graduating student who is pursuing post-secondary education in the field of healthcare.
Kirby Harold Burningham was born on October 29, 1962. At the age of 25, Kirby started his own law practice, Burningham Law Office. Despite his busy schedule, Kirby found time for the things that mattered to him – his family, friends and volunteer work. He used his legal knowledge and expertise to facilitate community projects. From one end of Tisdale to the other, the work that Kirby and other community minded people have accomplished is apparent. He was a tremendous leader, showing foresight and, from a legal perspective, made sure that the community’s interests were protected. As a legal practitioner and business owner, Kirby had a strong work ethic which earned him tremendous respect among his colleagues, clients, employees and the community. Kirby was a humanitarian, always ready to help, giving his all to people while expecting nothing in return. Kirby has been instrumental in helping various individuals achieve their dreams, including studying and practicing law. Kirby was proud of that he offered the Tisdale community and even in his death, Kirby is fondly remembered for his sense of humour, community involvement, leadership, perseverance and work ethic. The Kirby Burningham Memorial scholarship is valued at $1,000.00 (funded by Tomi Law Office) and will be presented annually to a graduating student who exemplifies Kirby’s traits and is pursuing post-secondary education in the legal or business field.