I’m honoured to receive the Dave McAnerney Memorial Award. As a UBCO Bachelor of Management student specializing in accounting, this support affirms my hard work and helps me pursue my goals. As a child of Chinese immigrants, I’ve learned resilience - whether as a varsity soccer athlete, Academic All-Canadian, or community volunteer. Leadership, to me, means lifting others up. This award allows me to focus on school, my role at MNP LLP, and giving back - without financial stress. Thank you for believing in me. I’ll work to honour Dave McAnerney’s legacy.

Megan Sun

Dear Keith Brewster and the Stober Family Foundation, Thank you for your generous support through the SURF program. As a recent graduate in Health and Exercise Science from UBC Okanagan, now beginning my Master's here, this funding has been instrumental in allowing me to focus on research this summer. It has opened doors to valuable collaboration and learning opportunities that are helping shape my academic and professional path. Your support has created a strong foundation for my graduate studies, and I am sincerely grateful for the opportunity to grow as a researcher. Sincerely, Brydie Lemkes

Brydie Lemkes

I am extremely grateful to the Stober Family Foundation whose generosity has allowed me to take the next step towards my academic goals through my summer research project. The SURF program has been an invaluable experience for me, and I have grown so much through it! I am excited to build on what I have learned so far and carry it into my future academic and research-based endeavors. I’m passionate about the work I am doing and hope to continue using what I’ve learned to make a positive impact.

Sean McIntyre

Thank you to the Stober Family Foundation for supporting my research this summer. I’m entering my fourth year of BSc in Biochemistry, and I'm investigating how immunocyte mitochondrial function changes with menopause, and how metabolic enhancements can impact this transition. This funding has allowed me to work in a lab environment, learn new skills, and contribute to important metabolic health research in an underrepresented group. I’m very grateful for this opportunity.

Arwyn MacIntosh

I’ve always been fascinated by the human body and health, and my dream has long been to become a doctor. My education and experiences, especially witnessing healthcare challenges in northern BC, have only deepened that passion. Still, I’ve remained open to new opportunities—which led me to the Stober Foundation Undergraduate Research Fellowship. This fellowship has given me invaluable hands-on experience in research, from start to finish. I’ve discovered a genuine interest in data collection and in using research to positively impact communities. It’s even sparked my interest in possibly pursuing a master’s degree. I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity. It’s been the highlight of my summer and a defining part of my undergraduate journey. Thank you for making this experience possible.

Emma Shipalesky

Thank you so much to Keith Brewster and the Stober Family Foundation for supporting my research through the SURF program. As a student from Kamloops now studying at UBC Okanagan, this opportunity has allowed me to deepen my passion for pediatric health research. I'm currently working in the Pediatric Exercise Research Lab, exploring how puberty and hormones affect vascular function in adolescents. Your support has eased the financial stress of living away from home and allowed me to fully engage in research that is inclusive, meaningful, and rooted in equity. This experience is helping shape my future path toward graduate studies and a career focused on improving health outcomes for youth. Thank you for investing in students like me. It truly makes a difference.

anthony salvati-taylor

My name is Miyah Kailey and I was raised in Airdrie, Alberta. With a longstanding passion for education and research, I chose to complete an honours thesis in Dr. Brian Dalton’s Sensorimotor Physiology and Integrative Neuromechanics (SPIN) lab. My research focused on the effects of acute edible cannabis intoxication on posture-cognition dual-tasking In addition, I began working in Dr. Kathleen Martin-Ginis’ Spinal Cord Injury Action Canada (SCI AC) lab, motivated by my aspiration to pursue a career in occupational therapy. This summer, with the support from the Stober Foundation, I had the opportunity to lead a knowledge translation project for Spinal Cord Injury BC. The project centers on making information about cannabis use among individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI) more accessible. While cannabis presents both therapeutic potential and possible risks for this population, our goal is to provide evidence-based discussions that acknowledges cannabis as a potentially beneficial therapeutic option for certain individuals. Despite controversial opinions surrounding cannabis use, I am sincerely grateful to the Stober Foundation for enabling me to contribute meaningfully to the SCI community. This experience has allowed me to pursue my passion for research while making a positive impact. I extent my heartfelt thanks for the opportunity to support and inform a community that continues to inspire me.

Miyah Kailey

Dear Keith Brewster and the Stober Family Foundation, My name is Charlie Kanuka, a UBC Okanagan student from North Vancouver. I joined the SURF program to deepen my understanding of exercise metabolism, both academically and personally. My mother lives with ME/CFS, a poorly understood illness tied to metabolic and immune dysfunction. This, along with my time as a varsity cross-country athlete, inspired my passion for exercise metabolism. UBCO’s community and accessible faculty have opened doors to meaningful research. Your generous funding supports my growth as a future medical professional and brings me closer to improving care for people like my mother; for that, I deeply thank you. Sincerely, Charlie Kanuka

Charlie Kanuka

I am grateful to have received the award provided by the Stober Family Foundation. With this award, I can have hands-on experience applying the theories I have learned in the classroom to the Kelowna community. I am fortunate to be entering my final year of my undergraduate degree with a wide breadth of knowledge and experience I have gained from the Stober Foundation award. I plan to continue exploring different types of research while finding ways to support my community.  With gratitude,   Makenna Clark 

Makenna Clark

My name is Isla MacPherson, and I’m a Human Kinetics student at the University of Guelph, originally from Kelowna, BC. This summer, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to return home and participate in the SURF program at UBC Okanagan as a recipient of the Stober Undergraduate Research Fellowship. My research focuses on how circadian rhythm affects neuromuscular function, specifically measuring strength and power in the quadriceps throughout the day. Being the youngest in the lab, this experience has pushed me to grow, ask questions, and gain confidence in research. I’ve developed new hard and soft skills, and this award has thoroughly deepened my passion for science. Thank you to the Stober family Foundation for making this experience possible. Your support has been life-changing and will stay with me throughout my academic journey. Thank you Isla MacPherson

Isla MacPherson

Dear, Keith Brewster and the Stober Family Foundation My name is Charlie Kanuka. I am originally from North Vancouver, B.C. and have the privilege of currently attending the University of British Columbia Okanagan. I chose the SURF program to advance my expertise and knowledge on the course topics I love. Specifically in all things related to exercise metabolism. Not only did I enjoy metabolism academically, but I also have two personal connections that drove me to this topic. Firstly, my mother suffers from a complex chronic illness called ME/CFS. Unfortunately, there is little known and studied about this disease, with the bare bones being a dysregulatory energy production (metabolism) and immune system. This, alongside being a varsity athlete on the UBCO cross-country team for the first two years of my undergrad, gave me the personal motivation to pursue exercise metabolism. I love the UBCO campus, and I strongly believe the smaller class sizes and easy-to-access facilities allowed me to better connect with my professors and have these amazing opportunities. This funding has greatly impacted my desire to learn about the topics I am passionate about, as well as drive me closer to my goal of a future career in the medical field. I hope one day to apply this knowledge to future research and treatment for patients suffering from ME/CFS. For this opportunity to advance my path towards helping people like my mother, I deeply thank you. Sincerely, Charlie

Charlie Kanuka

My name is Sydney Hilton, and I am a recent MSc graduate from the University of Guelph. Throughout my grade school years, I was a competitive dancer and participated in various school sports such as volleyball, soccer, and intramurals. This developed my passion for exercise and my desire to improve my performance. I studied biomedical sciences during my undergraduate degree and took a particular interest in the heart and cardiorespiratory system. Combining these together, I was able to expand these interests into my graduate studies, where I investigate the neural mechanisms associated with elevated blood pressure during exercise. I want to thank the University of British Columbia, the Stober Foundation, and the Heart, Lung, and Vascular Heath committee for selecting me for the Chris Willie Graduate Prize. I am inspired by Chris, his excellence in science, his prioritization of friends and family, and his ability to always live life to the fullest. Chris' passion for science and taking risks has motivated me to keep persevering in my academic career; whether when designing a study, collecting data, or presenting novel findings. After receiving this award, I was honoured that my hard work was recognized by cardiovascular experts, and that I was able to share my findings with a wider audience.

Sydney Hilton

I am deeply thankful for the generosity of the Stober family, and I look forward to contributing to the positive impact their foundation strives to create.

Rhys Kraft

It was like a dream come true when I got the email that I had received the Stober Foundation Award in Engineering. I couldn’t believe my eyes because I knew how much this would mean to my family. I immediately called my parents screaming with joy and telling them about the good news. My heartfelt gratitude goes out to the Stober Foundation for their kindness and generosity towards me. Their support will allow me to achieve my academic goals without having to worry about the financial burden post-secondary education brings. This award has not only provided me with financial aid but also with a UBC family I can fall back on, the Society of Scholars. I cannot wait to see how far this award takes me and the impact it will have on my academic journey. Once again, thank you to the Stober Family Foundation.

Abena Rockson

I am deeply honoured to receive the Stober Foundation Entrance Award in Medicine. As the first in my family to attend university and having financed my education over the past four years, this award greatly alleviates the financial burden of medical school. With this support, I can dedicate more time and energy to my studies and fully immerse myself in the learning process. For this, I am sincerely grateful and would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to the Stober Family Foundation for their generosity and support of students like myself. Thank you!

Dinithi Mudalige

My name is Holly Currie. I was born in Kitimat, BC and moved to Creighton, SK, shortly after. In Creighton I completed my elementary and high school education. I chose UBCO because of their outstanding nursing program and because I have family ties in the Okanagan. I am loving the scenery here in Kelowna and the numerous opportunities that have opened up. I am planning to volunteer at one of the nursing homes in the area. My favorite place on campus so far is The Commons. It is the perfect place to study with friends and get work done. My favorite course I am taking so far is Human Anatomy and Physiology. I enjoy this class because it focuses primarily on the human body and how it functions. My professor, Dr. Zoë Soon always makes the class enjoyable and engaging. I am looking forward to my clinical practice next semester and having the opportunity to apply my knowledge and skills in a healthcare setting. I hope to become a Pediatric Nurse in the future and make a difference in people's lives.

Holly Currie

I am a recipient of the Stober Foundation Undergraduate Entrance Award in Human Kinetics. Your generosity is extremely appreciated and has made a meaningful impact on my life. I graduated high school in New Brunswick, but I chose to attend UBC because of its Health and Exercise Sciences program, atmosphere, and reputation as an educational institution. After I complete my undergraduate degree, I plan to get my masters in occupational therapy. When I found out I had won this award I was shocked. I have worked extremely hard to attain good grades, participate in sports and extracurricular activities, and work to save money for university. Because of my family situation, I have no financial support other than what I’ve saved on my own. My mom hated that she couldn’t help me pay for school, so receiving this award lifted a huge weight off my shoulders and hers. This award and similar ones are life-changing for many people, which is why they are so important. Without awards like this many people, including myself, would not be able to attend university. Every award has a monetary value, but the change and impact they have on people’s lives are invaluable. Your donation has changed my and my family’s lives for the better, and for that, I am tremendously grateful.

Kate Hughes

I would like to extend my gratitude again to the Stober Foundation Family for the recognition and prize.

Fredrich Yooku Anson

As an international student from Mexico studying business management, receiving the Stober Family Foundation Award has eased the financial burden of my studies, allowing me to focus on my academic and extracurricular pursuits. It also fills me with pride and a sense of accomplishment to be one of the few selected based on merit. I am extremely grateful to the Stober Family Foundation for this generous support, which inspires me to bring positive change to both my home country and the broader community. Thank you for making a meaningful impact on my educational journey and the community.

Daniel Lopez Delgado Falcon