Scholarships & Awards

Students at DTSS are fortunate to have a very supportive community that offers a wide variety of scholarships and bursaries for our graduates. ​Scholarships are based on specific criteria such as academic achievement or specific skills and interests. Bursaries are based more on financial need in addition to specific criteria. ​Some of these opportunities are listed below, but please see Student Services for more up to date information.

1) Community Local Scholarships - from throughout the Columbia Valley - see below - application deadline is April 30th, 2025 at 4:00pm

2) Columbia Valley Community Foundation Awards - see below 

3) District/Authority Scholarships - see below - applications are due by May 16th, 2025

Alan J. Witherspoon loved the arts. Through the Alan J. Witherspoon Memorial Fine Arts Award his passion for the arts will live on by supporting Columbia Valley youth pursuing an education in the fine arts.

Mediums considered include but are not necessarily limited to: drawing, painting, ceramics, photography, sculpture, graphics, printmaking, calligraphy, architecture, design, woodworking, wood carving, music, and the teaching of any of the above.

Students are required to submit two (2) samples of their current work with their application.

The District / Authority Scholarship Awards program rewards students for excellence in their choice of interest or strength. These scholarships are intended to assist students in furthering their post-secondary education. DTSS has several scholarships of approximately $1250 vouchers that can be used toward post-secondary education tuition. 

What to Do: 

1. Complete an application form (click here) and submit it to the Main Office by Friday, May 16th, 2025. 

2. Check your presentation time - this will be emailed to you and posted throughout the school.

3. Presentation Day:

A - Show up to the Theatre for an introduction to the panelists.

B - Show up at your scheduled presentation time and do amazing things!

About the Scholarship: 

Confirmed recipients receive a $1,250 scholarship voucher. They can use this voucher to be reimbursed by the Ministry of Education for tuition paid at a post-secondary institution that is designated by the Province of B.C. (i.e., approved for Canada Student Loans) or a program provider that is approved by the Industry Training Authority.

Students have five years to redeem their District/Authority scholarship vouchers; an expiry date is printed on each voucher and extensions are not possible.

​​​​If you are applying for a scholarship and require a referral letter from a staff member, please fill out the ​form to assist them in writing the best letter possible.​

Scholarship Referral Letter

Here are some honours and awards you may wish to work toward:​​

Honour Roll

• 80% average with no course mark below 60%.  Students must be enrolled in a full course load.
• Students may withdraw from a course and remain eligible if they are still taking a full course load (7 for grade 12 students and 8 for all other students).
• When calculating Year-end Honour Roll, the final grades are used and 2 credit courses are weighted half as much as 4 credit courses to reflect 50 hours of instruction vs. 100 hours.  This only applies to grade 8 and 9.

 Governor General's Academic Medal

• The average includes all grade 11 and grade 12 courses as listed on the student's official Transcript of Grades issued by the Ministry of Education. The average cannot be anticipated; it must be calculated based on final results after provincial exams.
• There is no differentiation between "academic" and "vocational" types of courses; all those courses taken which directly result in the obtaining of a secondary school diploma, should, for obvious reasons, be included in the calculation.
• This award is given the June after graduation to allow for provincial exam marks to be included in the average.

Honours Medallion

• This is awarded to grade 12 graduating students with a B average in all grade 10-12 courses leading to graduation.

Major Awards (Grade 12)

• Top All-Around Student
  • Criteria: Student…
    • has a history of outstanding involvement and achievement in a wide variety of areas including scholarship, athletics, visual and/or performing arts and applied skills.
    • demonstrates academic excellence and an exemplary work ethic.
    • is a positive role model who is widely respected in the school community for their initiative, dedication and hard work.
    • community involvement is not necessary, but will be considered.
    • would act as an excellent ambassador for our school.
• ​Rotarian Leadership
  • Criteria: Student…
    • has a vision or goal to enrich the school community.
    • can generate, spearhead, direct and conclude initiatives undertaken.
    • is able to influence and motivate others to achieve a positive outcome for the benefit of the school.
    • acts as a good role model, inspires trust and confidence in others and is widely respected in the school.
    • community involvement is not necessary, but will be considered.
    • would act as an excellent ambassador for our school.
• Citizen of the Year
  • Criteria: Student…
    • is a reliable, congenial, respectful and mature facilitator, helper and supporter who consistently assist others to an exceptional degree.
    • unselfishly works to build positive spirit and sense of community in the school.
    • is widely respected for their dedication, hard work, responsibility and helpfulness.
    • community involvement is not necessary, but will be considered.
    • would act as an excellent ambassador for our school.