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Sawyer Kiist Passion for Life Bursary established

The deadline for submissions for this season is March 1st
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COMMUNITY SUPPORT - Each season, the Cow Patti Theatre Company shares some of its profits with several local agencies and organizations. From left are Dawna Morey (The Lending Cupboard), AnnaMarie Lea (Cow Patti Theatre Company); Rudy and Marie Kiist (the Sawyer Kiist Passion for Life Bursary); Marsha Glenn (Clive Resource Centre and the Friends of the Library), a representative with Kasota East Camp and Kevin Broderson (Lacombe Golf and Country Club). Missing is Barb Proudler of the Caroline Seniors. photo submitted

A late Lacombe resident’s memory and legacy will live on thanks to a bursary established in his name by the Cow Patti Theatre Company and the Kiist family.

This past season, Cow Patti and the Lacombe Golf and Country Club raised more than $23,000 for their six benefits during the run of their latest production, the Christmas Express - The Sawyer Kiist Passion for Life Bursary, Medicine River Wildlife Centre, Kasota East Camp, Caroline Seniors, the Clive Resource Centre and Friends of the Library and The Lending Cupboard.

“Our first benefit performance of the 21st season was put in place by family and friends of Sawyer Kiist,” said AnnaMarie Lea, founder and artistic director of the Cow Patti Theatre Company.

“Sawyer was a young man that was part of Cow Patti for numerous seasons, most notably when he played Peter in our production of Nurse Jane Goes to Hawaii.”

Lea said the Sawyer Kiist Passion for Life Bursary is a way to honour his memory and help students in pursuing their educational pursuits.

“I just pray that hundreds of kids will submit for the bursary - so (Sawyer’s parents) receive letters, videos or whatever the applicants decide to send in. I think that if there is a lot then it will really make them see the purpose and the value in the bursary (that much more),” said Lea, who remembers Kiist as a hard working, talented young actor who poured so much into every performance. He passed away last March.

“Annually, we will be distributing a bursary valued at $1,000 which will be a huge influence for their passion. Whether is it post-secondary, extra-curricular activities or support in bringing whatever their passion might be to life, we would love to include all in consideration,” she said.

Lea said that all young people are invited to send in their submissions by letter, a power point presentation or a short video to Kiist’s family.

“We ask in their submission that they tell us a bit about themselves, their passion and why they are pursuing it.

“With the Sawyer Kiist Passion for Life Bursary, we are determined to keep Sawyer’s memory alive and along with the Kiist family we look forward to being a part of some young people’s lives and to watch their journeys continue in a positive and bright path.”

The deadline for submissions for this season is March 1st, and on the closing show of the upcoming production of Here on the Flight Path (March 11th), Lea will be presenting this year’s recipient.

Those interested can forward submissions to theatre@cowpatti.com or mail them to Box 217, Clive, Alberta. The postal code is TOC OYO.

Meanwhile, Cow Patti’s last show, The Christmas Express, which ran this past November and December, was company’s most successful show to date.

“We have had hundreds if not thousands of amazing and gracious comments on how The Christmas Express blew it out of the park. Not only did we break records in patrons coming to Cow Patti, but the percentage of new people at Cow Patti rose by 29%.

“We entertained over 70 Christmas parties, had sell-out crowds with our seniors’ Wednesday brunch matinees, and saw over 400 young people at our school matinees.”

Last season, staff also introduced a more affordable evening with Wing Wednesdays and this season with the Coffee and Connoli Thursdays.

As mentioned, next up for Cow Patti is Here on the Flight Path which opens Feb. 14th.

Check out www.cowpatti.com.

news@lacombeexpress.com



Mark Weber

About the Author: Mark Weber

I've been a part of the Black Press Media family for about a dozen years now, with stints at the Red Deer Express, the Stettler Independent, and now the Lacombe Express.
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