A Parksville high school student has been awarded a life-changing scholarship.
Keevah Kupiak, a student at Ballenas Secondary School, will use the $40,000 from Beedie Luminaries scholarship program when she begins a bachelor of arts degree in criminology at VIU this fall. She said she then plans to pursue a law degree.
“It’s hard to believe that it happened. I was jumping up and down when I got the phone call,” said Kupiak, who will graduate a year early.
The scholarships recognize promising students who have faced life challenges and adversity with determination and resilience, according to Beedie Luminaries.
“I’ve struggled a lot with my mental health and health issues in my lifetime,” said Kupiak, who has faced challenges such as anxiety, depression and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). “I was always one of those troubled kids for the first few years, probably until Grade 9. And then in Grade 10 I really turned my life around and realized I want to do big things, I need to try harder and get to where I need to be to be successful.”
Kupiak said she sought extra help from doctors, exercised, journalled and put herself out there more, to turn things around.
READ MORE: Sixth Ballenas Secondary student wins prestigious $100,000 scholarship
She found out about the opportunity by coming across a website called ‘Grant Me’ while scrolling social media. The website helps students prepare for post-secondary education with assistance writing scholarship applications, writing essays, and also recommended Kupiak apply for the Beedie Luminaries scholarship
Beedie Luminaries awarded $6.2 million in scholarships to 140 Grade 12 students and 17 single parents in B.C. this year. This is the largest number of scholarships it has awarded at one time since it was established four years ago, according to a news release by the foundation.
“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,” said Ryan Beedie, real estate developer and philanthropist. “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.”
The Beedie Luminaries scholarship program supports students who not only demonstrate strong academic potential, but are also involved in their communities and have faced life challenges and adversity with determination and optimism. These scholarships recognize students’ resilience and resolve while lowering the financial barriers to pursuing a post-secondary education.
In addition to those attending university, a number of recipients will be attending trade school or vocational training to learn everything from animal health and forestry management to computer science and 3D animation.
Beedie Luminaries launched in November 2018, with a $50 million donation from Beedie that coincided with his 50th birthday. To date, the program has awarded 487 scholarships to students across the province.
Students who are interested in applying to be part of next year’s cohort are encouraged to follow Beedie Luminaries on social media or visit beedieluminaries.ca. The application period for the 2023 cohort will open in fall 2022.
Beedie Luminaries is a registered foundation and a non-profit society whose mission is built on the premise that education can enhance future career opportunities, and fundamentally create positive societal outcomes. The program offers financial support to students applying to B.C. public post-secondary institutions, including universities, colleges and trade schools.