Zane Halperin Legacy Scholarship
This scholarship is established in loving memory of Zane Halperin: an adventurous, generous, and infectiously positive soul who created community wherever he went.
Zane lived by a simple philosophy: “It’s a great day to have a great day.” It was more than a saying; it was how he showed up in the world. He had a natural magnetism, a huge and kind heart, and a quiet way of encouraging everyone around him to be their best. It is the goal of this scholarship to honour Zane by giving another young person the same chance to rise to a challenge, find their community, and discover what they’re capable of.
Zane’s story
Born and raised in Kelowna, Zane embraced everything the Okanagan has to offer. In the summer he spent every free moment on Lake Okanagan; early-morning water skiing, mid-day paddles, sailing and windsurfing at sunset. He was the first out of bed for a mountain bike ride (often towing along less-eager friends), and in the winter he chased fresh powder and first tracks at Big White before heading off for a game of shinny. There were always frisbees and skipping rocks in his car, and he was never happier than when he was adventuring in the mountains with the people he loved.
What people remember most isn’t any single sport – it’s the way Zane made them feel. He was a leader, an initiator, and a visionary. A beloved sailing coach at COSA and the first to volunteer to take his young cousins around the ski hill, he had a gift for drawing people in and lifting them up. Kids and adults alike considered him a friend. He loved sharing his passion for the outdoors, and he made the harshest conditions feel like a breeze.
Zane carried that purpose into his studies at Mount Royal University, where he was working toward a Bachelor of Health and Physical Education with a major in Outdoor Leadership and Ecotourism. His outdoor-leadership friends became an extended part of his family.
On the inside of his bedroom door, Zane kept a note to himself that he read every morning on his way out to meet the day:
“It’s all part of the process, all it takes is the first step.”
That spirit – showing up, taking the first step, and bringing others along for the adventure, is exactly what the Leaders in Action program is about, and exactly what this scholarship is meant to carry forward.
The Zane Halperin Legacy Fund supports youth, young adult development, and outdoor adventure. Zane was one of the most adventurous souls, always going for an adventure, finding a new challenge to surpass and conquer.
Through Zane’s memory and everlasting legacy, we hope to give others opportunities to rise to challenges just as he did – bringing others to experience the smiles and joy he brought everywhere he went.
In loving memory of Zane Halperin.
#LiveLikeZane
“eyes closed, head first, can’t lose”
Zane’s Legacy Video. Credit: Danielle Grundy.
How the scholarship works
The Zane Halperin Legacy Scholarship is awarded each year to one youth in our Leaders in Action program. It covers a full program seat, giving a young person a year of mentorship, outdoor challenge, and community that they might not otherwise have access to.
Recipients are selected by our team based on the very qualities Zane embodied. Passion for the outdoors, a willingness to take on a challenge, and a heart for lifting up the people around them. In keeping with Zane’s memory, this scholarship is about giving a young leader room to grow.
At Elevation Outdoors, our mission is to help young people find a passion that keeps them healthy, happy, and active for life and to build the confidence and community that come with it. That was Zane’s gift to everyone who knew him, and this scholarship ensures his legacy lives on for years to come in the young leaders it supports.
Thank you to Zane’s family and to the generous donors who made this scholarship possible in his memory.
Get involved
If your interested in applying for our Leaders In Action program, or to learn more, visit our Leader’s In Action program page.
If you’d like to help the next generation of young leaders find their passion for the outdoors, visit our volunteer page to learn more and get involved.
To learn more about Zane and his everlasting legacy, visit Live Like Zane.