FH&P Awards John M. Hannah Memorial Bursary

Each year FH&P Lawyers hands out the John M. Hannah Memorial Bursary Award to one lucky post-secondary student studying in any field.

This year’s recipient is Arianna Johnston of Penticton who is entering her third year of University. She will be attending UBC Okanagan this fall, but all her classes will still be online due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. In the second semester after the exam break her classes will be a blend of online and in class.

“This bursary means a lot to me,” says Arianna. “I feel really thankful that I was given this bursary especially with the meaning behind it. This bursary represents a hard-working man that passed away. To be honouring his memory by working hard myself and helping the world in my own way feels gratifying. School is a stressful time in itself with all the deadlines. So, having some financial help lifts the burden and worry of how to pay for school. I do not have to choose which textbook to get because I could not afford them thanks to this bursary. I can just worry about my studies.”

Since she was little girl Arianna has wanted to be a scientist. In the tenth grade her passion became the water and ocean-based environments after a project she did with fisheries and water pollution. Now, she is pursuing her Bachelor of Science with a major in Environmental Science and a minor in Biology. Once she has that she plans to pursue a masters in either oceanography or in marine biology.

She says, “One of my dream jobs is to work/do research at the Vancouver Aquarium. I love Ocean Wise and how sustainable the company is. The aquarium itself is a good place to educate others about aquatic environments in Canada. The research that they do helps the oceans heal from the damage we have caused them over the years.”

ABOUT THE JOHN M. HANNAH MEMORIAL BURSARY

John M. Hannah, BCom LLB, was a long-time lawyer at FH&P Lawyers who passed away on December 16, 2015. He was an adoring father and a loyal friend. He was passionate about the law and a mentor to many. He was very involved with Rotary, as a past President and recipient of The Albert Baldeo Caring Rotarian Award.

John was married to his loving wife, Kathy, and a proud father to his daughters Shilo, Courtnay Taylor (Bill), Ashley Dumas (Jeff) and Tess, and his 12 grandchildren.

The Memorial Bursary assists one post-secondary student each year, assisting them financially with tuition or books.