Cloverdale Rodeo Youth Initiative Foundation awards more than $25,000 in scholarships

The Cloverdale Rodeo Youth Initiative Foundation awarded $26,000 in post-secondary scholarships this year, marking the 13th year it has supported Lower Mainland Grade 12 students. The foundation issued 13 awards of $2,000 each.

Former foundation president Rick Hugh said CRYIF began in 2014 with two $500 scholarships. The organization has increased the available scholarship funding by $16,000 over the past three years: $5,000 was added two years ago, $4,000 last year and $7,000 this year. It awarded $10,000 in 2023, $15,000 in 2024, $19,000 in 2025 and $26,000 in 2026, for a four-year total of $70,000.

The regular 2026 CRYIF scholarship recipients are Ishika Baraitch of Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary; Nicolle Guerra Ospino of Queen Elizabeth Secondary; Ali Hojjati, Nisal Jayewardena, Sidhak Jhangria, Varuna Satheesh Kumar, Taranvir Sidhu and Yoey Wu of Salish Secondary; and Jashanjit Kaur and Riley Shepherd of Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary. Each received $2,000.

Aarushi Raj of Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary received the 2026 CRYIF Cares scholarship, also worth $2,000. Madison Lynn Perreault of Enver Creek Secondary and Brendan Scarrotts of Clayton Heights Secondary received $2,000 Gary and Gail Grelish Foundation scholarships. That scholarship recognizes a Surrey School District Grade 12 student who has shown exceptional perseverance while navigating a learning difficulty.

Regular CRYIF scholarships are available to Grade 12 students who have contributed to their schools and communities and who are current or former Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair volunteers.

The annual 50/50 ticket program is CRYIF's main source of funding. Ticket sales begin online before the Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair, with most sales occurring during rodeo weekend. The draw is held during the final rodeo performance on the Monday of the Victoria Day long weekend. This year's program raised a record $64,790, with Kelowna's Kevin Woronchak receiving $32,395.

The foundation also raises money through its annual early-May BBQ chicken dance, a joint event with the Cloverdale District Chamber of Commerce, and through donations. Information on the foundation, volunteering and scholarships is available at cloverdalerodeo.com under “About and Contact” and “Cloverdale Rodeo Youth Initiative Foundation.”