Families and friends of Braxton Leask and Dylan Buckle are still trying to cope with the tragedy of losing the two young men. Collectively, the group has established a scholarship fund in memory of the best friends who were shot and killed in Lund on June 17.
The new scholarship is meant to provide high school graduates with financial assistance to pursue careers in the trades and athletics, and also memorialize the lives of Leask and Buckle.
For Leask’s mother Nichelle Guignard and family friend Anita Adams, the tribute keeps them focused on something other than the loss.
“We thought this is one way of keeping Dylan and Braxton's memories alive and also help youth in Powell River continue on with their education,” said Adams, who is a School District 47 elementary school teacher. “It's a positive thing to do.”
Guignard said there have not been any positive days since the loss of her son and she has not accepted that he is gone.
“That’s life; you have to go on and try to make it a better life for people,” said Guignard. “That’s the symbol of the scholarship.”
Buckle’s mother Terry said her family is doing okay and trying to adjust to a new kind of normal.
“I'm still waiting for the boys to come home,” said Terry. “It seems like they're just still away. Dylan was living in London, England. I feel like he's still there and he's just not home yet.”
Knowing real efforts are being made as a tribute to Leask and Buckle has helped, according to Guignard.
“It takes away that big, dark despair,” she said.
In the weeks since the two young men were killed, Guignard has been able to go through boxes of Leask’s belongings, including photos, a newspaper article from when he lost his eye and medals from soccer.
Throughout the day on June 17, as news of the crime spread throughout the region, family and friends congregated at Guignard’s home to mourn. It was then the idea to establish an award was formed.
Braxton’s brother Taylor Lance and his fiancé Ariana Sian first broached the subject, according to Adams. Almost spontaneously, Adams said she had the same idea. Then Terry and Guignard agreed it would be a fitting way to keep their sons’ memories alive.
“It's very important to me,” said Guignard. “The more I get better, the more I'm easing into doing more things like this because people come up to me and ask, ‘How can I help?’ They really mean it.”
In school, Leask and Buckle were bright but did not excel academically, according to Guignard. Terry said her son struggled in elementary school, but one educator made a difference once he went to Brooks Secondary School.
“[Former Brooks principal] Jamie Burt totally turned Dylan around and he ended up doing great in school and doing things he never thought he'd ever try,” said Terry. “All he needed was one teacher to believe in him.”
Burt was principal at Henderson Elementary School when Dylan was a student there. He said he was devastated when he heard the news of Dylan and Leask’s deaths.
Burt said it is rarely just one teacher who influences a student.
“Not to be too cliché, but that's the best thing, having all different kinds of teachers,” he said. “Kids have an opportunity to connect with different personalities.”
Burt said he and Dylan had a special connection, sometimes up and down, but they always came around.
“Dylan was a real neat kid who just needed time to find his interests and his passions,” said Burt. “He just needed someone to be patient with where he was at. He was an amazing young guy.”
Burt said Dylan wasn’t a straight-A student, but he was talented. As an educator, Burt knows the need that scholarships fill.
“We know in this day and age that post-secondary training of some sort is almost a necessity, and it's costly,” said Burt. “More and more students need help.”
Leask and Buckle were set on career paths in the trades. Leask was an apprentice pipe-fitter and Dylan wanted to be a firefighter, but sports was their passion.
The pair are fondly remembered when talk turns to soccer in Powell River. Both had returned to their hometown, Leask from Alberta and Buckle from London, to be with their friends and play soccer for Villa.
Adams has approached Villa about the scholarship, but a decision has not been made by the club, according to Villa president Jamie Zroback.
“We'll decide sometime in the future whether it's a fundraiser or it's a game,” said Zroback. “We will do something but we don't know what it is yet.”
Villa’s training camp has opened and as the team prepares for the 2017/2018 Vancouver Island Soccer League season, the fallen teammates are very much on players’ minds. The same can be said for Villa’s new coach Chris McDonough as he prepares for the upcoming season.
“You can't forget those guys, honestly,” said McDonough. “It's on my mind. I can't speak for everyone, but I'm still shocked.”
A scholarship account has been established at First Credit Union and anyone wishing to make a donation can enquire inside the branch at 4721 Joyce Avenue, according to Adams. She and Guignard are trustees of the account.
“Powell River is an incredible community,” said Adams. “We really look after our youth in education and the scholarship plays a major role for a lot of children and a lot of families.”
The account will be open for one year, then the funds will be invested in an interest-bearing account to ensure the scholarship will have enough in reserve to be awarded each year to a deserving student. Adams said she hopes $10,000 to $20,000 can be raised.
“It's been good for Anita and I, just doing something,” said Guignard. “It has also given Taylor a focus because he is hurting; we're all hurting. A lot of people are angry; this is to take that away. We know kids who are going to Brooks are going to get a helping hand.”
