In Alex Adamson, Josiah Thompson and Acacia Sproule, Marie and Rudy Kiist saw different facets of their late son, Sawyer.

The Kiists awarded them a total of $2,000, making them the first recipients of the Sawyer Kiist Passion for Life Bursary, a fund created to honour Sawyer’s memory by helping young people chase a dream.

Winners were unveiled on March 11, the night of Cow Patti Theatre’s final show of the season.

There’s a strong link between the theatre company and the Kiists. Sawyer was an actor for Cow Patti Theatre before the 24 year old was killed in a car crash in March 2017.

Cow Patti Theatre held several benefit shows last year during its production of The Christmas Express, raising more than $23,000 for the bursary and five other causes.

Marie and Rudy said they had Sawyer in mind as they adjudicated the bursary, evaluating about 50 applications.

They awarded $1,000 to Adamson, who plays drums in a band.

“Sawyer was also a drummer. And the music, Sawyer would have just loved,” Marie said.

Thompson and Sproule received $500 each.

According to Marie, Thompson had suffered from depression and wanted to become a counsellor. Their son would have been touched by his desire to help others, she said.

As for Sproule, Marie said it came down to her zest for life.

“Her spirit just shone through in her. It was just her playful, fun attitude that came out and that reminded us so much of Sawyer,” she said.

Rudy said their son had many interests. He was a blackbelt in karate, enjoyed hiking and rock climbing. But also video games, television and music.

“He was just into so much stuff. That really made (selecting recipients) harder because as you’re reading all these things, you’re thinking, ‘Oh yeah, I could see this in Sawyer,’” Rudy said.

Marie said there was only supposed to be a single award when the bursary was first announced. However, she said they had to give more after seeing so much generosity from those who supported its creation. Her voice breaks a little at the thought.

“It’s just an honour to have been Sawyer’s mother and to be able to honour his life and help other kids.”