More than a year following his tragic death, a Turner Valley teen continues to make a lasting impression on those around him.
The foothills community was devastated when 16-year-old Ben Steiger was killed shortly after coming out of the chutes at a rodeo school in Thorsby in April 2014, but the teen's name lives on through the Ben Steiger Memorial Scholarship established by his father and brothers.
“They say that as long as people remember a loved one they never die,” said Wayne Steiger, Ben's father. “We are going to keep him alive.”
Steiger and his sons initiated the scholarship after raising $50,000 at a golf tournament in Ben's honour last summer. The scholarship awards $1,500 each to two Grade 12 students for each year of their post-secondary schooling, Steiger said.
“If it's a four year program they will get $1,500 every year for the four years,” said the Turner Valley veterinarian. “By the time we get up to the four years it will be 16 (recipients) and $24,000 a year. We hope to build it up so it will go on in perpetuity.”
Recipients must be registered in or accepted to a training, apprenticeship or post-secondary institute and have a passion and respect for life and learning, similar to Ben. They must also complete an essay describing how they embody what Ben stood for in his life.
This year's scholarship was presented to Jake Bews and Jaelynn Varty, students at Oilfields High School where Steiger attended, during the Black and Gold Awards ceremony on June 12.
“We just wanted to keep Ben's name alive,” said Steiger. “We wanted to help his friends. We wanted to start the scholarship and keep it going and help the kids reach their potential.”
As well as being positive and respectful, Steiger said his youngest son had a zest for life.
“He was a bit of a daredevil,” he said. “There wasn't much I could do about that. He was very self-confident.”
Steiger said Ben began riding sheep in his preschool years and then progressed to calves, steers, bulls and saddle bronc, and rode in the local rodeo circuit for the last three or four years.
In addition to being involved in the rodeo, Ben worked at an auction market on weekends, and loved singing country music, surfing, skiing and snowboarding.
“He did everything that was exciting,” he said. “He was only 16 but he was well on his own. He stood up for his friends and didn't allow any bullying.”
Steiger said the scholarship is open to graduands across the foothills.
“We want to help kids that need it and show the passion to go to school and to further their education,” he said.
Scott Carey, Oilfields High School principal, said he appreciates that the scholarship is helping students financially in their post-secondary pursuits.
“We are very humbled that Dr. Steiger would think of us,” he said.
“It's a chance to keep Ben's memory alive in our school and just the opportunity to continue to offer support to our students. It makes me happy to know that we have awards like this and can continue a memory in a very tangible way that's helping students get that leg up going in to post secondary.”
Carey said he remembers Ben as being dynamic and positive during the short time he was at the school.
“You couldn't be in proximity of Ben and not leave without a smile on your face,” he said. “He was with us just for the one year and had just an instant positive impact in terms of rapport with kids, rapport with staff, rapport with whoever he encountered. He was friends with everyone.”
The annual Ben Steiger Memorial Golf Tournament takes place at the Turner Valley Golf and Country Club on Sept. 11. To register go to bensteigermemorial@gmail.com or visit the Diamond Valley Veterinary Clinic.