BONNYVILLE – Seven more post-secondary students are getting help toward careers in healthcare through a scholarship created in memory of Miriam Godzuik.

The Miriam Godzuik Memorial Scholarship received 39 applications this year, representing 13 different medical fields. Seven students were selected, bringing the total number of recipients supported through the scholarship to more than 21.

For Miriam’s parents, Jennifer Lawton-Godzuik and Larry Godzuik, each scholarship helps carry forward the future their daughter never had the chance to complete.

“It’s heartbreaking to not see your child go on with their life and their career,” Lawton-Godzuik told Lakeland Connect. “It makes us happy and grateful for the huge generosity of people from here.”

Remembering Miriam

Miriam died suddenly on Oct. 16, 2022, at just 22 years old due to complications from diabetes, a condition she had lived with since she was a toddler.

Her mom remembers her as a bright, caring young woman who had a way of making everyone feel welcome.

“She was a pretty sparkly soul who loved animals and had a sense of humour,” Lawton-Godzuik said. “She loved being at the farm and she made friends with all kinds of people. She never left anyone out.”

Miriam had hoped to become a nurse and completed one year of her training before she died.

“She hoped to be a nurse one day,” her mom said. “We are happy to share our community’s gifts for other students to make their dreams come true.”

Community support becomes a lasting legacy

In the days following Miriam’s death, friends and community members rallied around the family. A GoFundMe organized with help from fellow football coaches, Dan Jubinville and Kevin Sartain, raised more than $20,000.

Support came from the family’s friends, relatives, church and the Bonnyville football community, where Larry spent many years coaching. Donations even arrived from people the family had never met.

“We had a friend of a friend of Miriam’s from England,” Lawton-Godzuik said. “It’s just been huge.”

The scholarship was initially created for nursing students, reflecting Miriam’s own career plans. The family later expanded it to include emergency medical services and other healthcare programs.

“Being that Miriam had been helped by the EMS community, we were happy to provide that,” Lawton-Godzuik said. “We just decided to open it up a little bit more.”

Looking for good humans

When reviewing the applications, the family considered each student’s career goals and whether they understood the healthcare needs facing rural communities.

Just as importantly, they wanted to know what kind of person each applicant hoped to be within their profession.

“In their references, what kind of humans they were and the values that we think are important as a community member, human and health professional,” Lawton-Godzuik said.

Sometimes, the final decision came down to something in an application that reminded the family of Miriam.

“There were a few little things that just spoke to our hearts that went kind of like Miriam,” she said. “We wanted to help them out.”

A lasting mark on Bonnyville

The latest scholarship presentations come as Jennifer and Larry begin a new chapter following their recent retirements.

Both spent decades teaching in Bonnyville schools. Larry also became a familiar presence on the sidelines through his work with the Bonnyville Amateur Football Association.

Lawton-Godzuik said it has been special to teach multiple generations of local families over the years.

“We’ve enjoyed being part of this community and lots of different organizations, and teaching our students’ children and the odd time a grandchild,” she said. “That’s a pretty special gift.”

Through the scholarship bearing their daughter’s name, the family’s impact on students will continue well beyond the classroom.