Images submitted by Jennifer Lawton-Godziuk. Left: Miriam with her mom Jennifer and dad Larry at the viewing tower at Walsh Field on Sept. 17, 2022. Right: Larry wears a Bonnyville Voyageurs jersey with Miriam’s nickname on the nameplate at the first game following her passing.
Out of tragedy for one local family has come a remarkable opportunity — to support post-secondary students in healthcare fields.
The Miriam Godziuk Memorial Scholarship presented their two recipients, Ava Hughes and Thomas Kissel, with $1500 to further their efforts in nursing and emergency response this summer.
This scholarship keeps her memory alive after an unexpected tragedy.
On October 16, 2022, Miriam Godziuk died suddenly at just the age of 22 as a result of complications from diabetes, a condition she’d had since she was a toddler.
Her parents, Jennifer and Larry, teaching at Bonnyville schools for decades and coaching within the Bonnyville Amateur Football Association, were overwhelmed with donations in a GoFundMe to the tune of over $20,000 in the wake of the tragedy.
That eventually spurred the scholarship idea.
“We were driving home from Cold Lake when we found out Miriam had passed,” Jennifer told Lakeland Connect.
“I just turned down the Ardmore road and saw this really bright star, and just came into my head that maybe we could set up a scholarship, so other people could finish what Miriam hadn’t had the opportunity to. She’d finished one year of her LPN at Portage.”
Miriam grew up assisting the Bonnyville Voyageurs and Lakeland Yellowjackets teams as a trainer, ingraining herself in those communities. Known for her friendly and helpful spirit, now she gets to help others achieve their dreams of completing their studies in healthcare.
Ava Hughes receives the scholarship at Walsh Field from Jennifer Lawton-Godziuk.
Thomas Kissel receives the scholarship at Walsh Field from Jennifer Lawton-Godziuk.
Scholarship recipients
Following the massive spree of donations, the money is left in the Godziuk’s hands to select the right people for the scholarship, who’ve attended at least one year of medical study.
“I appreciate that, that they would trust who we pick,” Jennifer said, adding the focus is on students from the Lakeland.
“I thought nursing at first, but then both of us have been helped with our diabetes from paramedics. So then I thought why not include anyone in healthcare.”
Ava Hughes is currently in taking a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Saskatchewan.
Out of several applicants, she was selected because of her meaningful impact in the lives of others. She’s helped establish The Hive in Bonnyville, is an advocate for youth needs and mental health, and worked in home care with Apidae Compassion Care this summer. She’s also active in sports and demonstrates strong leadership and advocacy qualities.
Meanwhile, Thomas Kissel is an Advanced Care Parademic at NAIT.
Kissel is looking to further his trained in providing pain control, intubating patients, and operating a ventilator. Through his work, he has a strong commitment to the Maskwacis community, which mirrors Miriam’s connections to many Indigenous and Metis friends over the years.
This is the second year of Miriam Godziuk Memorial Scholarship presentations.
The inaugural recipients being Faith Gratton and Sidney Cey last year.
Gratton just completed her LPN studies at Portage College this summer. Cey is currently enrolled at the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Science in Bilingual Nursing.
Faith Gratton receives the scholarship in 2023.
Local BRFA emergency response staff Ken Hesson, left, and Alicia Krawchuk, right, helped train Thomas.
Faith Gratton graduates. 2024.
Sidney Cey receives the scholarship in 2023.
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