Three win $40,000 scholarships!
Three SD83 Grade 12 students are the deserving recipients of $40,000 scholarships! Glitter Esquivias of Salmon Arm Secondary (Sullivan) has been awarded a Beedie Luminaries scholarship while Lynndsay Terpsma of Pleasant Valley Secondary School and Garrett Kelley of Salmon Arm Secondary (Sullivan) have each been awarded a Cmolik Foundation award.
Glitter commented she applied for the scholarship because she wanted to see “just how far my own story could go; plus Beedie was just a perfect fit.”
The Beedie Luminaries scholarships are for students with potential who are facing financial adversity. Students who are smart, but constrained by circumstance. Students who are resilient and gritty. Students who are creative, have empathy, and ready to make a positive change in their lives. The scholarship also includes access to student support, peer support groups, mentors, and summer paid internship opportunities.
“I’m hoping to pursue fine arts in university; it’s likely that it’ll be theatre, music, or visual arts. Perhaps even all three! I’m a bit of a jack-of-all trades when it comes to being a creator, so I’m honestly just planning to pursue what I enjoy and see where it takes me.”
“I’d really like to thank the faculty that supported me during the process, the school counsellors, my careers teacher, the lovely Indigenous education workers, and then also my arts teachers. They’ve all been such a wonderful help in supporting me, and I have such a beloved relationship with my fine arts teachers. I’m really going to miss it.”
More information about the Beedie Luminaries scholarship here
Lynndsay Terpsma, a student at Pleasant Valley Secondary School has been awarded a $40,000 post-secondary scholarship with The Cmolik Foundation in recognition of her achievements in overcoming adversity and excelling in her studies. The Selection Committee was impressed with Terpsma’s application, her academic goals, and her future career aspirations. The award recognizes and honours Terpsma’s hard work and commitment with this financial award and is keen to support Terpsma pursuing interests in science and biochemistry. She has also been awarded a $10,000 University of B.C. Presidential Scholars Award.
Terpsma plans on pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree, with a major in Biochemistry at UBCO. “I chose this area of study because I want to use applied research to target real world issues,” she explains.
“I am so incredibly honoured to be awarded this scholarship, and it has taken away a huge portion of my stress about post-secondary school,” commented Lynndsay. “I have always dreamed of attending UBC Okanagan, but I never thought it would happen, especially after my father’s passing in October 2021. The combination of the Cmolik Scholarship and the UBC Presidential Scholars award is making my dreams come true, and these awards even allow me to live in residence and experience university life to the fullest! I am also incredibly excited about having access to a mentor and other students to help me through my post-secondary journey.”
“I truly cannot express how thankful and how honoured I am to be a recipient of these awards.”
Janet Gillis, a French teacher at Pleasant Valley Secondary School describes Terpsma as, “an exceptional student with exemplary grades resulting from diligent work habits and keen intellect. She has also been a model citizen in our school community, exemplifying positive behaviour, maturity, and discipline throughout her high school career. She is a brilliant young woman who can make a difference in the world.”
Terpsma is very involved in Pleasant Valley Secondary’s band program, where she plays the tenor saxophone and the piano. Outside of school she loves to horseback ride and she also gives riding lessons.
Garrett Kelley, a student at Salmon Arm Secondary has also awarded a $40,000 post-secondary scholarship with The Cmolik Foundation in recognition of his achievements in overcoming adversity and excelling in his studies. According to information from Cmolik, the Selection Committee was impressed with Kelley’s application, his academic goals, and his future career aspirations. The award recognizes and honours Kelley’s hard work and commitment with this financial award and is keen to support Kelley pursuing interest in pursuing a career as a French Immersion Social Studies teacher.
Garrett says, “I envision myself teaching at a high school while raising a family, coaching a minor hockey team and becoming a volunteer firefighter.”
“Without a doubt, he is a most dedicated, conscientious, hard-working, and caring student who puts his very best effort into everything that he does”, Ms. Izik-Dzurko explains, “Garrett has an exciting vision for the future and demonstrates the talent, work ethic and heart needed to attain them.”
“I decided to apply for the Cmolik Foundation Scholarship because, after hearing about it from one of my teachers, I thought it sounded like an amazing opportunity that would greatly benefit me during my time at university,” commented Garrett. “Before I continue, I would just like to add that this scholarship was created to help students such as myself who have experienced a lot of adversity in their lives.”
“Of course, the financial support I will receive from the scholarship will be crucial in helping me achieve my future goals, but the fact that the Cmolik Foundation also offers support, in the form of mentors, to its students is a unique part of the award that, I believe, will prove just as valuable as the money I will receive.”
“I plan on pursuing becoming a French Immersion Social Studies teacher as my career because I believe it is my calling to help as many people as possible through teaching.”
“There are many people I would like to thank who have helped me get to the place I am today. First of all, I would like to thank my family for always being there and supporting me in every aspect of my life. In particular, I would like to thank my grandparents for taking my sister and I in when we were young. My older sister is another person I would like to thank for always being there for me and helping me become the person I am today. Additionally, I would also like to thank my many teachers from over the years who were so influential for me.”
“One particular teacher who made an especially big impact on me was my grade four/five teacher at South Broadview, Earl Dodds. He is the reason I am the strong student I am today and that I have always enjoyed going to school, especially during the two years when he was my teacher. Patricia Izik-Dzurko is another teacher who deserves my deepest thanks. She has worked tirelessly with me during my grade twelve year to help me find and apply for as many scholarships as possible. She is the person who helped me apply for the Cmolik Foundation Scholarship which I am fortunate enough to have received. In addition to all of these people, I must also express my sincerest gratitude to all of my good friends who have supported me over the years. They are one of the main reasons I have become who I am today and have been able to overcome the adversity I have faced in my life. Lastly, I would like to thank the Cmolik Foundation who administers the generous scholarship I have received. The support they are offering me is incredible and the gratitude I feel toward them is immeasurable.”
“I would also like to add one piece of advice for anyone experiencing adversity in their life, especially young people: don’t try to do everything yourself. There are people who care about you who you know and who you don’t even know of. You are strong enough and everything will be okay.”