Born in Salmon Arm, Brad Jackson was in Grade 11 when he passed away.
He was a kind, gentle kid who loved sports. He played hockey from a young age, began playing rugby when he was in Grade 8, and had just started playing football. A fit, focused athlete, when he wasn’t on the ice or on the field, he’d be in the gym, training.
Well-liked and respected by his teachers, as a straight ‘A’ student Brad set very high goals for himself, always challenging himself physically and intellectually. He told his family he might like to enter into the field of medicine, or become a teacher, specifically of history, which he loved.
He enjoyed school and was an attentive student who didn’t give his teachers, or his parents, any trouble. His Principal, Greg Kitchen, says Brad was an exceptional student with a great sense of humour. Richard Sweet, Brad’s fitness trainer, called him “the real deal, a role model for his fellow students. He walked and talked with confidence and treated everyone he met with respect and kindness.” “Everybody loved Brad” is a frequent comment made in the memorial books his family treasures.
When he passed away, his family, friends and community decided to honour his memory by setting up a scholarship fund in Brad’s name through the auspices of the Shuswap Community Foundation. The first scholarship from the Brad Jackson Scholarship Fund was given out in June 2011. Since, a scholarship is annually awarded to a graduating student who intends to pursue post-secondary studies, has demonstrated combined achievement in academics and athletics, and who best exhibits Brad’s qualities of self-discipline, sportsmanship and determination as selected by the award selection committee at Salmon Arm Secondary School. This scholarship will be awarded each year, in perpetuity, in remembrance of Brad.
