Two New Westminster students have earned a huge boost for their post-secondary studies.
Samantha Harris and Bingjing (Clarissa) Tang were among 140 Grade 12 students around B.C. to earn Beedie Luminaries scholarships.
Harris is a New Westminster resident who is graduating from Cariboo Hill Secondary. Tang is a Burnaby resident graduating from New Westminster Secondary School.
The scholarship program supports students who demonstrate strong academic potential and are involved in their communities and who have also faced life challenges and adversity with determination and optimism, a press release notes.
Each scholarship comes with financial assistance of up to $40,000 per student, plus mentorships, paid work opportunities, student support, invitations to special events and access to the Beedie Luminaries online community.
The Beedie Luminaries program was started by Burnaby developer Ryan Beedie four years ago. This year, it handed out $6.2 million in scholarships to 140 Grade 12 students and 17 single parents.
"Year after year, I am amazed and inspired by the sheer number of bright, driven and highly engaged students who apply to the Beedie Luminaries program and the promise that they show," Beedie said in a press release. "I am elated to be able to extend our support to more students than ever before so that even more talented British Columbians can pursue higher education and reach their full potential."
Applications for next year's Beedie Luminaries cohort will open this fall.
Follow Julie MacLellan on Twitter @juliemaclellan.
Email Julie, jmaclellan@newwestrecord.ca
