The Labour Day weekend was a celebratory one for Buckingham Inc. and the 2023 recipients of the Alice Patricia Buckingham Scholarship Award. Payten Keyowski, Abigail Kyliuk and their families made the trek from Shellbrook to Regina on Saturday to receive their awards and enjoy a fun-filled and educational weekend.

Rod Buckingham, CEO of Buckingham Inc., who created and named the scholarship in honour of his late mother, is continually amazed by the positive qualities exemplified by the chosen recipients of the award. “I know my mom would be extremely proud of them and what they represent,” he stated. The award criteria of kindness, compassion, leadership in human safety and protecting others has most certainly been demonstrated by Payten and Abigail.

Keyowski has been a member of 4H since 2012. She is currently involved with the 4H Pony Club, Equine Canada and has recently become a certified Equestrian Canada riding instructor. The safety of her students and the horses are of utmost importance to her. The responsibilities involved with these experiences as well as her time with the Student Leadership Council have formed Payten into the great leader that she is. Payten’s biggest role models have been the teachers involved in the SLC and her mother, Jennifer, a 4H Club Leader. “I recognize all their hard work and contributions and it inspires me to carry that on,” she said. After completing grade twelve, Payten plans to study Animal Sciences with the aspiration of being accepted into Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan.

Kyliuk’s post-secondary interests are in the Healthcare and Environmental fields. “I always try to make people feel safe and comfortable around me. I want the safety of others and the safety of the planet to be my focus,” she said. Abigail has demonstrated her compassionate, caring and protective nature in her role at a daycare as a childcare provider. She attributes these qualities to her mother, Renee. “My mom is a very compassionate person and is always looking out for my safety and the safety of my friends,” Abigail shared. Kyliuk has further honed her leadership skills with her involvement in Saskatchewan Rivers Students for Change, a student leadership initiative within the school division that gives voice to educational and social concerns that may impact its students.

The scholarship celebration weekend included a reception at Buckingham Inc. followed by guided tours of the RCMP Heritage Centre, The Saskatchewan Legislature and Mosaic Stadium. The recipients and their families were able to take in the rich heritage and learn processes that each takes in protecting the public. They also enjoyed a thrilling overtime win by the Saskatchewan Roughriders over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in a legendary CFL Labour Day Classic game.

The Alice Patricia Buckingham Scholarship is awarded annually to two Grade 11 W.P. Sandin Public High School students who have displayed leadership in protecting and demonstrating kindness and compassion for fellow students and school faculty. “My hope is that they will go back to their school and talk about this and motivate others to do the same thing,” Rod Buckingham stated as he reflected on the success of the weekend.