When Jackie Thompson got lost in the middle of the Crumpit Woods, little did she know that her experience would lead the way towards a $2,500 scholarship.
Thompson and her friend Rebecca Valleau were riding throughout the trails in the relatively new Valleycliffe mountain biking area, but after taking too many wrong turns, couldn't find their way out. That's when an idea stood out in her head, and she and Valleau decided to add it to their "list" of ideas that they occasionally come up with to improve the mountain bike community in Squamish.
She thought, "why not have a series of maps and signs throughout the network of trails so people won't get lost?"
With this idea in mind, Thompson then found out about a SuperPages scholarship program called Make it Real. Students from participating schools throughout the Sea to Sky corridor were invited to submit essays based on the following theme: "If I had $3,500 to help my community, I would."
Thompson knew that $3,500 would go a long way in making sure that the thousands of riders who use Squamish's immense network of mountain bike trails won't get lost, so she decided to enter the contest.
"When I heard about this I thought it was the perfect opportunity to pursue my idea," said Thompson. "It's very easy to get lost because there are so many trails and it would be helpful if there were signs and maps to help people find their way."
Ironically, Thompson and her friend got lost in an area known as the Lost Loop on the day the idea came to be.
"We realized that it wasn't just us who'd been lost there - the name pretty much says it all."In addition to the $2,500 grand prize award (which will be used towards her studies at the University of Northern B.C. in Prince George), a cheque for $3,500 was presented to the Squamish Off-Road Cycling Association (SORCA).
SORCA will use the money to have signs and maps designed and installed at strategic location throughout the extensive trail network - something they hope to do quite soon.
"I would hope we get a jump start on it pretty quick," said SORCA president Cliff Miller. "It would be a nice going-away present for Jackie to see some tangible results. We'll implement her plan - she worked for it."
Winners of this year's contest were chosen by: Pemberton Mayor Elinor Warner, Squamish Mayor Ian Sutherland, school board trustee Constance Rulka, Pique newsmagazine editor Bob Barnett and SuperPages regional account manager Casey Lynn. Pemberton Secondary School students Jason McEwan and Jessica Blanchet were awarded $1,000 and $500 scholarships respectively.
