Jonathan Bruce Memorial Award

This award is offered to honour and perpetuate Jonathon's spirit of adventure and service. 

Jonathon Alexander Bruce left this world on April 21, 2025, while on his beloved Bastion Mountain above Shuswap Lake in Tappen. Jonathon's passion for firefighting with the Tappen Sunnybrae Fire Department and BC Wildfire's RAP attack team, and his love for the outdoors, his friends, family, and community defined him. At the time of his passing, Jonathon was completing his initial Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) training with SD83. 

Jonathon was a young man of courage, kindness, and determination, who was always ready to lend a hand and share a laugh. Though his years were few, Jonathon squeezed a century of adventure and purpose into his life. His spirit was larger than life, and his impact deep and lasting. He is deeply missed by all whose lives he touched. 

The seed funds for this award were provided by Jonathon’s family, fire family, community members, strangers, friends and a CSRD Area C grant, and fundraising efforts were spearheaded by the Tappen Sunnybrae Firefighters Association with the blessing of Jonathon’s family. 

Criteria

If you embody any of the traits expressed in this eulogy for Jonathon, please apply for this award and honour his memory:

Lessons for Living ~ inspired by Jonathon Bruce: Smile widely. Embrace the unfamiliar. Pay attention. Volunteer enthusiastically for everything - especially anything fire-, helicopter-, or EMR-related. Share insightful ideas. Be positive. Connect with others - whether they are 3 or 73. Be respectful. Maintain eye contact. Go deeply into wild places. Eat candy and read quietly while embracing someone you love. Willingly engage with life in all of its facets. Laugh. Embody sincerity. Collaborate exceptionally. Commit fully. Know - and live - your priorities. Work hard. Be kind.

Recipient must graduate with a Dogwood, Evergreen, or Adult Grad diploma. 

Preference will be given to applicants who have been actively volunteering or working in an emergency services capacity since October of their grade 12 year - e.g.: Firefighter or Junior Firefighter with a CSRD or Salmon Arm fire hall; South or North Shuswap First Responder; Emergency Medical Responder. 

Mandatory Emergency Services Reference: Please provide contact name, email and phone number (e.g. Fire Department Chief or Officer; First Responder President/Training officer; BC Wildfire Rap Attack Trainer). Reference letter not required but please ensure your reference is aware that you are applying for this award as members of the Tappen Sunnybrae Firefighter Association Award Selection Committee will be reaching out to short-listed candidate’s references. 

Preference may be given to applicants choosing to pursue a career in emergency services. There is no requirement for post-secondary enrolment. 

2026 Award – one scholarship of $850