Meet the Winners

Here are the successful applicants of the 2023 Jane Stock Excellence in Horticulture Scholarships:

Rachel Draaistra

When I was 5, I began to help Grandpa in his garden, it would consist of my Grandpa, Bill Van Belle, giving me specific instructions of holding the gardening hose and then watering the recently planted plants. Eventually I would upgrade to assisting him plant annuals in the garden, and work in the greenhouse and nursery. Throughout my years at working at Van Belle Nursery, I have worked in various fields with diverse individuals. The past 4-5 summers I have put in 30-45 hours a week doing seasonal work within a specific department. I have become very familiar with propagation, shipping, E-Commerce, potting and the print shop. The influential factors are major as this work has taught me that I value hard work in others and myself.

Joah Walters

For as long as I can remember, my family has lived on a large property and my parents take a lot of pride in their yard, plants and trees. I was always out there helping to weed or plant while my Dad shared his knowledge with me after many years working in trades and for the City. Naturally, the field of horticulture seemed to be a good path to take. Thankfully, Langley Senior Secondary had a trades program in place that offered me the chance to pursue my Red Seal in Horticulture right after Grade 12. They partnered with Kwantlen Polytechnic University and was able to complete Level 1 - which made the transition to University so much easier. Without this program in place, I feel like I might not have had exposure to this trade or known about the many opportunities it offered for my future. I have always loved the idea of working outside and being hands on and the ‘work and learn’ concept of this trade gives me the chance to put into practice everything I have studied.

Dinh Tran

My career journey began in the constructions industry where I trained as a civil engineer. However, two years ago, I made the decision to switch to horticulture, which opened my eyes to a whole new world. While construction taught me how to build permanent structures for people, horticulture showed me the art of connecting humans to the natural environment through plants and trees. This horticultural path has filled the gaps in my knowledge and allowed me to become a more well-rounded individual. I have completed my Residential Landscape Technician Diploma, and now I’m eager to enhance my expertise further by undertaking the Red Seal Landscape Horticulturist program,

Samir Ghimire

My passion for horticulture started when I was just a child, growing up in a family that valued the beauty of nature and the importance of preserving it for future generations. My parents are farmers in Nepal, and when I was a child, I was surprised by the beauty of plants, and the insects that were roaming around on the muddy land. I have always been fascinated by the intricate balance that plants and their environment maintain, and I knew from an early age that I wanted to pursue a career in horticulture. I studied Plant Science as my area of focus from ninth through twelfth grade (in Nepal). I am currently pursuing my Diploma in Horticulture Technology (Landscape Specialization). My future career plans include obtaining a bachelor’s degree in Horticulture, with a focus on Plant Health.

Jessica Giebelhaus

Growing up, I did not have much exposure to gardening or growing any type of plant. I feel that my own lack of exposure drives me to share with others what I feel that I missed out on for so long. I think we forget, or maybe ignore human’s inherent reliance on nature for health, mental and physical. It cultivates creativity and industry in people, builds a sense of community and teaches society to be stewards of the land they rely on. In my grade 11 year, I took on a rescue mission to save my Mother’s succulent planter. Watching this Kalanchoe grow and bloom, be cut back and continue to thrive sparked so much curiosity inside me. The following weeks I applied to the garden centres in my town and started working part time in the nursey and part time landscaping. I was spending lots of time outside in the sun, with dirt under my fingernails, and I felt so much joy. Something I hadn’t realized was how much impact it had on my mental health and wellness in general. There’s a quote that says, ‘to plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow’. Because of horticulture, I no longer feel apathy towards life. Today, I am pursuing an education because I believe that it will help me inspire someone else to believe in their own tomorrow.

Scholarship Winners Since 2012

2023

Rachel Draaistra (Granddaughter to Bill & Grace Van Belle, Van Belle Nursery, Abbotsford)

Joah Walters (Employee of Blue Pine Enterprises, Surrey)

Dinh Tran (Employee of Para Space Landscaping Inc., Burnaby)

Samir Ghimire (Employee of Para Space Landscaping Inc., Burnaby)

Jessica Giebelhaus (Employee at Gardenworks, Victoria)

2022

Danika Potter (Employee of Golden Spruce Nurseries, Langley)

Kenny Shang (Son to BCLNA Member, Frank Shang, MRD Landscaping Inc.)

2021

Brooke Furtado (Daughter to BCLNA Member, Carlos Furtado, Victoria Landscaping)

Iain Wilson (BCLNA Member, ISW Landscapes)

Emma Breukers (Employee at NATS Nursery Ltd.)

2020

Kate van der Zalm (Granddaughter to Art & Dorothy van der Zalm, Art’s Nursery)

Aaron Campbell (BCLNA Student Member)

Samantha Stewart (Daughter to Colin Stewart, Heartwood Farms)

2019

Lynda Krabbendam (West Creek Farms Ltd.)

Caitlin Williams (Meridian Landscaping Ltd.)

Jessie Machhein (Arborist ISA Certificate)

Kayla Whatley

2018

Clare Douglas (Bella Terra Landscaping Ltd.)

Isabella Hargrave (Cedar Crest Lands (BC) Ltd.)

Lea Bortnick-Marks (Rakes & Ladders Garden and Property Services)

Linnaea Kennedy (Blasig Landscape Design & Construction)

Piper Kenney (Hunter Garden Centre)

2017

Colin Jansen (West Creek Farms Ltd.)

Robyn Nakano (Daughter to Michelle Nakano, Kwantlen Polytechnic University)

Nicholas Ogilvie (Ikonic Enterprises Inc.)

Peggy Wong (Phoenix Perennial and Specialty Plants Ltd.)

Paige Hunter (Art’s Nursery)

2016

Anita Proom (Elk Lake Garden Centre)

Juliana Chalifour (Paridon Horticultural Ltd.)

Sam Van Noort (Van Noort Bulb Company Ltd.)

2015

Alexander Johnsen Howkins (Specimen Trees Wholesale Nurseries Ltd.)

Ashlyn Ouellette (Sticks ‘N Stones Nursery)

Ryan Broadfoot (Think Green Landscaping Ltd.)

2014

Taylor Josephy (Richbar Nursery)

Danielle Frost (Frost Nursery)

Tyler De Jong (Son to Doug De Jong, Misty Meadow Nursery)

2013

Justin McTavish (Environmental Farm Planners Ltd.)

Wayne - Carter Williams (Candy Cane Nursery)

Tyler Burns (Ethical Concrete Solutions Inc.)

2012

Acacia Meyer (Contour Landscape Installation & Design Ltd.)

Christopher Hoegler (BC Plant Health Care Inc.)

Spencer Bronson (Pond Doctor Water Garden Specialist)

Ryan De Jong (Son to Doug De Jong, Misty Meadow Nursery)