Four Delta students are among this year’s Beedie Luminaries.
Julia Townsend, Nimmy Sebastian, Maria Pauchly and Chantal de Haas are part of a class of 128 students from across the province to receive scholarships of up to $40,000 each to pursue their post-secondary education at universities, colleges and trade schools in B.C.
Ryan Beedie, through his foundation, Beedie Luminaries, increased the number of students receiving scholarships this year from the expected 105 to 128. Beedie Luminaries provides scholarships to resilient students across the province who face financial adversity.
“We received an overwhelming number of great applications from deserving students and it was hard to narrow down our selection to the anticipated 105, knowing the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on families and employment opportunities for young people and their parents,” said Ryan Beedie on his decision to increase the scholarships by an additional 23 students.
“We wanted to extend our support to as many deserving students as possible as we believe that personal and financial hardship should not stop talented British Columbians from pursuing higher education and realizing their full potential.”
In addition to financial adversity, the recipients demonstrated resilience, grit, academic readiness and the determination to succeed – with many sharing compelling personal stories of overcoming challenges. Over 70 per cent of this year’s recipients live in rental or social housing, 48 per cent come from single-parent or foster families, and 26 per cent are first-generation post-secondary students in their family.
Beedie Luminaries launched in late 2018 with a $50-million donation from Beedie that coincided with his 50th birthday. In its first year, the program awarded 80 scholarships to students in Metro Vancouver. This year, the program expanded province-wide with recipients from 25 communities across B.C.
In addition to financial assistance of up to $40,000 per student, recipients are also paired with mentors, and offered paid summer internship opportunities, Stay on Track student support, invitations to special events and access to the Beedie Luminaries online community.
Students who are entering Grade 12 and are interested in applying to be part of next year’s Beedie Luminaries are encouraged to follow Beedie Luminaries on social media platforms or visit beedieluminaries.ca. The application period for the 2021 cohort will open in fall 2020.
