By Bob Carter
Elgin Park Secondary graduate Brett Youngberg knows that the value of a scholarship extends beyond mere dollars and cents. When Youngberg earned scholarships toward a post-secondary education at Stanford University, he absorbed the intangibles. “It’s more than financial,” Youngberg said. “There’s also a confidence component. You’re being rewarded for your hard work and the character you’ve shown. It’s a big confidence-builder.”
The former Canadian National Team player was among the donors to scholarships given in conjunction with last year’s Big Kahuna BC Volleyball Championships. He thinks such support is important and would love to see it grow this year.
“When I was in high school,” said Youngberg, who played in the 1996 AAA provincials, “any scholarship money I got went a long way.”
Early this year, three Grade 12 players in the province were awarded $500 scholarships by the selection committee of the 2014 Boys BC’s. Jordan Koslowsky of MEI received the Big Kahuna Scholarship, Lambrick Park’s Isaac Dellabough won the Buy-Low Scholarship and Gladstone’s Steven Trinh was given the BC High School Boys Volleyball Alumni Scholarship. Koslowsky won the Most Outstanding Player award after leading MEI’s Eagles to their ninth AA championship last November at the Langley Events Centre. The MEI captain, now beginning his first season with Trinity Western, was excited when he learned the provincial tournament was awarding scholarships. “It was awesome,” he said, “especially because it was connected to volleyball, something I’ve invested so much of my time in.”
Longtime coach Chris Frehlick, another donor last fall, has invested much of his life in volleyball. He played in three BC’s as a youngster at Matthew McNair, helping the Richmond school to the 1979 AAA title and reaching the tournament as a coach another 15 times. Frehlick, now the coach at AA George Elliot, guided AAA Mount Boucherie to 2003 gold. Last season was the first in years that Frehlick wasn’t involved in the provincials in some role.
“I thought it would be a good idea, a good time to give to a scholarship,” he said, adding that the opportunity of scholarships “keeps the kids interested, that there might be something there for them down the road.”
Donor Jesse Vaid, who played in the 1992 provincials with Delta, said he was fortunate to be in a position now to contribute. “It’s giving back to the sport that has given me so much in my life,” Vaid said. “It’s opened doors and given me opportunities I wouldn’t have had. I’d like to give that same opportunity to the next generation of volleyball players.”
Similarly, Earl Marriott grad Al Schill, another donor, acknowledges that “the game gave me a ton, and giving now is important. It gives kids a jump-start to their post-secondary dreams.” Schill played in three BC’s in the 1980s with the Mariners.
Lambrick Park grad Dellabough didn’t get a chance to experience the provincials last season as his team fell short of qualifying. But he was elated to receive a scholarship from the selection committee. “It was very rewarding,” said Dellabough, now on the Camosun College team. “You feel that everything you did paid off. It’s extra gratification for what you put in.” Koslowsky said he hoped to contribute to a volleyball scholarship later in life. “Knowing how scholarships can help you get to where you want to go, it’s something I’d want to do,” he said. “It’s important, actually making a difference in a person’s life.”
If you would like to Donate to this year’s scholarship click here for more information
