Myles Sauer

B次元官网网址 Staff

A young Saanich resident with aspirations set on working in law enforcement has been awarded the inaugural Const. Sarah Beckett Memorial Scholarship.

Tanner Stevenson, a soon-to-be 22-year-old volunteer with the Saanich Police Reserves and an infantryman in the Canadian Armed Forces Reserve, received the award during SundayB次元官网网址檚 Victoria Shamrocks game, with the Westshore RCMP and Const. BeckettB次元官网网址檚 family in attendance.

B次元官网网址淚t feels amazing. IB次元官网网址檓 so honoured to be able to receive an award, especially when itB次元官网网址檚 in the name of Sarah,B次元官网网址� Stevenson said. B次元官网网址淚t makes it very humbling and that much more special.B次元官网网址�

Beckett lost her life in a tragic automobile crash last year. The Capital Region District Traffic Safety Commission created the scholarship to raise awareness of traffic safety issues and highlight the community service provided by police.

B次元官网网址淭his scholarship acknowledges the loss of Const. Beckett and recognizes the vital role police play in service for our community, including increasing traffic safety. Tanner has clearly demonstrated his dedication to his community with his volunteer work.B次元官网网址� said Colin Plant, chair of the Traffic Safety Commission. B次元官网网址淭his scholarship recognizes Tanner as he continues to work hard in school, pursuing his goal of becoming a police officer.B次元官网网址�

The $2,000 scholarship will be awarded annually to a post-secondary student based on demonstrated academic achievement, financial need, community service record, and an expressed interest in pursuing a career in law enforcement. The Victoria Shamrocks provided an additional $1,250 in fan donations to the scholarship.

Stevenson said heB次元官网网址檚 the first person in his family to go into law enforcement, which has proven to be a new experience for both of them. HeB次元官网网址檚 already completed two years of study at Camosun College, and will attend Royal Roads in the fall to complete a bachelorB次元官网网址檚 degree in criminal justice. The two-year online program will allow Stevenson to continue working and volunteering with the reserves while finishing his studies.

The scholarship will be a huge help in achieving that goal, he said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 helping me continue my education B次元官网网址� IB次元官网网址檓 hoping to get into policing as a career, and the scholarship will do a lot for that.B次元官网网址�

According to Plant, choosing the inaugural winner wasnB次元官网网址檛 easy. B次元官网网址淲e couldB次元官网网址檝e given out five scholarships if we had the funding,B次元官网网址� he said. But heB次元官网网址檚 confident that they found the right recipient in Stevenson.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e pleased to award this to someone so deserving.B次元官网网址�