Liana Schmalz

We would like to highlight one of our past scholarship winners so you can
see how important it is to support and encourage our graduating students.

Liana Schmalz was one of the 2003 recipients of the Francis Family
Scholarships. Her proud parents are Edwin and Mickie Schmalz.

Liana studied at the Capernwray Bible College in Bodenseehof, Germany and
at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia. She is currently working as
a Program Assistant in the International Services for Students office at
Simon Fraser University. Her job is to help all incoming exchange student
hoping to attend S.F.U. with their application, transition and courses. On
a daily basis she communicates with students and institutions all over the
world. She describes the experience as awesome. Down the road she would
like to be a Park Ranger for a Canadian National Park (khaki pants and all).

Liana’s most passionate interest is travel. She loves exploring different
cultures and languages. Liana hopes to see the penguins and icebergs in
Ushuaia, Argentina. On a personal level she enjoys gourmet coffee, playing
her guitar and interior design. For fun she completes Do-It -Yourself
projects.

Liana wishes to thank Mr. Francis for buying her plane ticket to Germany
when she was eighteen. Because of the scholarship she had the opportunity to
study at an international school for eight months. Even now she says it
feels like a dream. She wishes all of the future S.O.S.S. grads courage and
happiness in the coming years. “You really can be anything you want to be”.

The primary goal of the Southern Okanagan Secondary School Enrichment Fund is to assist deserving students in the continuance of a quality education.
This is done through the establishment of various Scholarship, Trust and
Memorial Funds which make annual Bursaries and awards available to all
students demonstrating excellence in their field of academic, technical,
trade or vocational training.

The Francis Family Scholarship was donated by Mr. Norman Francis in memory
of his parents Blaine and Alice Francis of Oliver, BC. Blaine arrived in
Oliver in the early 1930’s and Alice came to Oliver during the 1940’s to
teach school. Both were active community members and volunteers. The first
Francis scholarship awards were presented in 2001. Norm Francis was born and
raised in Oliver and graduated from S.O.S.S. (1967). He attended UBC and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Sciences, and subsequently earned a Chartered Accountant designation. He co-founded several technology companies, including the company that invented the ACCPAC and Simply Accounting software, and later Pivotal Corporation, a world leader in
customer relationship software, where he was CEO until 2001. Mr. Francis is
retired and spends his time travelling, skiing, cycling and playing golf, as
well as being an active philanthropist in the Vancouver area.

The Francis Family Scholarships are $2,500.00 awards given to two deserving
students each year. Each student must submit a portfolio to highlight their
involvement in school and community. The portfolios are graded on
organization, academics, school involvement, community involvement,
citizenship, work ethic, and self awareness. A properly formatted resume
must be submitted. The portfolios are critiqued and graded by four teachers
and the recipients are chosen from this.