Five Grade 12 students from Richmond have received potentially life-changing financial awards from the Beedie Luminaries Scholarships.
The students were awarded a Beedie Luminaries scholarship of up to $44,000, given to those who have faced life challenges and “adversity with determination and resilience.”
For many of these students, the scholarship means the difference between being able to attend post-secondary or not.
Ryan Beedie, through his foundation, Beedie Luminaries, has awarded this year $6.9 million in scholarships worth up to $44,000 each to 116 Grade 12 students, 10 refugee and immigrant students and 20 single parents in B.C.
“It has been inspiring to see the success that this talented and determined group of young people has achieved over the past four years,” said Beedie.
“I can’t wait to see what they will accomplish as they move forward to the next chapter of their lives.”
The Beedie Luminaries Grade 12 scholarship program provides students who demonstrate strong academic potential and determination, but face financial barriers to attending post-secondary, with up to $44,000 each over four years as well as access to mentors, student coaches, paid internships and ongoing support from the Beedie Luminaries community.
This year’s Grade 12 recipients come from 67 high schools in 29 communities, with 41 per cent being the first in their immediate family to pursue post-secondary education and 60 per cent coming from single parent or legal guardian families.
In addition to university, a number of students will use the funds to attend trade school and vocational training.
The Richmond recipients were:
Ali Saffari, of Richmond Secondary, who will attend UBC;
Amna Siddiqui, of Richmond Secondary, who will attend UBC;
Layla Ayyash, of Kwantlen Park Secondary, who will attend BCIT;
Maureen Joy Mendania, of Princess Margaret Secondary, who will attend KPU;
Nathan Rajkumar, of St Thomas More Collegiate, who will attend UBC.
