Our Foundation
The Cloverdale Rodeo Youth Initiative Foundation (CRYIF) was launched at the 68th annual Cloverdale Rodeo & Country Fair with the goal of giving back to the community through three core pillars: Financial, Resources, and People.
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Financial – scholarships, youth event sponsorships, and community contributions
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Resources – support for charities, foundations, and youth initiatives
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People – mentorship, event assistance, and volunteer power
In addition to our regular scholarships, the CRYIF Board presents a special “CRYIF Cares” award. This year’s $1,500 award went to Mehak Bhangu, a North Surrey Secondary graduate who began volunteering in Grade 10 and later served on the CRYIF Youth Advisory.
CRYIF funds are raised primarily through the annual 50/50 ticket program, with sales starting online before the Cloverdale Rodeo & Country Fair and the draw held during the final rodeo performance. In 2025, the program raised about $61,000, split between the winner and scholarships, youth, and family programs. This year, CRYIF also supported Storehouse Community Hub (Cloverdale Community Kitchen) and Ugly Potato Day.
About the CRYIF Scholarship
The Cloverdale Rodeo & Exhibition Association is proud to provide its annual Scholarship Program, supporting Surrey and Lower Fraser Valley youth with financial aid and resources.
Open to past and current student volunteers of the Cloverdale Rodeo & Country Fair in their graduation year, the program encourages youth engagement while rewarding volunteers with post-secondary funding.
The Cloverdale Rodeo Youth Initiative Foundation is offering $1,500 scholarships based on volunteer participation, community involvement, academics, and leadership.
About the Isabella Olson Rising Above Scholarship
The Cloverdale Rodeo Youth Initiative Foundation is honoured to present the Isabella Olson “Rising Above” Scholarship, created in memory of Isabella Olson, an extraordinary young woman who embodied perseverance, strength, and compassion. A national sports champion and Honour Roll student at Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary, Isabella inspired others through her determination to overcome obstacles and her dream of helping others through social services or law.
This $2,000 scholarship recognizes a Lord Tweedsmuir Grade 12 student who is “Rising Above” challenges—whether personal, mental health, bullying, or family-related—while showing dedication in academics, school involvement, community service, or work experience.
About the Gary & Gail Grelish Foundation Scholarship
The Gary & Gail Grelish Foundation Scholarship ($2,000) recognizes a Surrey School District #36 Grade 12 student who has shown exceptional perseverance while navigating a learning difficulty, such as dyslexia, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, or other challenges.
The award honours a student who demonstrates determination in academics, school activities, community service, and work experience, while embodying the spirit of “G.R.I.T.”:
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Growth – personal, academic, or extracurricular progress
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Responsibility – accountability and reliability
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Initiative – proactive pursuit of goals and contributions
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Tenacity – persistence in overcoming obstacles
Winners
2025 CRYIF Scholarship Winners:
- Farezeh Alhamza – Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary
- Alice Chen – Ecole Salish Secondary
- Rylann Harding – North Surrey Secondary
- Harrison Lobley – Clayton Heights Secondary
- Tyas Mehat – Frank Hurt Secondary
- Nixon Pech – Ecole Salish Secondary
- Zoya Reaz- Princess Margaret Secondary
- Agamdeep Singh – W.J. Mouat Secondary
- Sineth Thilakaratne (Rehan) – Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary
2024 CRYIF Scholarship Winners
- Trisha Balosbalos – École Salish Secondary
- Robert Cook – Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary
- Harnoor Dhillon – Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary
- Sienna Juco – Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary
Priya Khangura – Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary - Yamna Laloui – Princess Margaret Secondary
- Illary Salazar – Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary
- Dildeep Sangha – Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary
- Sohila Sethi – École Salish Secondary
- Angelina Sonsoiy – École Panorama Ridge Secondary
- Sarah White – Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary
2023 CRYIF Scholarship Winners
- Deesha Basra – Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary
- Sahib Brar – École Panorama Ridge Secondary
- Rehea Johal – Grandview Heights Secondary
- Mae Malone – École Salish Secondary
- Nikayla Moodley – École Salish Secondary
- Alana Nguyen – Guildford Park Secondary
- Truman Porter – École Salish Secondary
- Alexis Shepherd – Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary
2025 Isabella Olson Rising Above Scholarship Winner:
Jeneya McNab – Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary
2024 Isabella Olson Rising Above Scholarship Winner:
Tabatha Acosta-Villasenor – Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary
2023 Isabella Olson Rising Above Scholarship Winner:
Kendra Wilson – Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary
2025 The Gary & Gail Grelish Foundation Scholarship Winner:
Sydney Vacek – Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary
2024 The Gary & Gail Grelish Foundation Scholarship Winner:
Arianna Hachey – Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary
How To Apply
Applicants must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident/landed immigrant. Anyone whose status is different from those classifications is asked to contact CRYIF at cryif@cloverdalerodeo.com, prior to applying.
Application deadline is : TBC 2026
CRYIF Scholarship
Please download the Scholarship Application Form to apply and for further details.
Isabella Olson Rising Above Scholarship
Please download the Scholarship Application Form to apply and for further details.
The Gary & Gail Grelish Foundation Scholarship
Please download the Scholarship Application Form to apply and for further details.
Contact and Getting Involved
If you’re in need of a helping hand, able to provide support, or have any questions, please contact us at:
6060 – 176th Street
Surrey, British Columbia
Canada V3S 4E7
Tel: 604-576-9461
Fax: 604-576-0216
To request support, please complete our funding resource application downloadable here.
Board & Committees
Board of Advisors
The Foundation is governed by a Board of Advisors that reports to the Board of Directors of the Cloverdale Rodeo & Exhibition Association. The Board of Advisors consists of:
- Taylor Monastersky – Chair
- Kelsey Swanson – Treasurer
- Tania Smythe – Secretary
- Rick Hugh
- Novy Bose
- Joon Sohn
- Jen Temple
CRYIF Committees:
The Cloverdale Rodeo Youth Initiative Foundation has four committees that organize and support the initiatives and objectives of the foundation.
- Scholarship Committee
- Fundraising Committee
- Events Committee
- Youth Ambassador Committee
If you’re interested in joining one of the committees please contact us at cryif@cloverdalerodeo.com or by phone at 604-576-9461.