OUR RECIPIENTS

​Gurmaan Gill is a graduate of Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School and is currently attending the University of British Columbia. He aspires to enter the field of medicine and become a doctor or pharmacologist. Gurmaan defines success, opportunity, achievement and results as; Success: Being able to do what you want to do, Opportunity: Having the chance to succeed,  Achievement: What happens after you do something properly and Results: The consequences of your actions. 

​Hannah Kang is a graduate of Walnut Grove Secondary School and is currently attending the University of British Columbia. She aspires to become a surgeon for an international surgical care team working in developing countries. When she isn't hitting the books, Hannah spends her time taking photos and cooking.

​Kayla Lai is a graduate from Sands Secondary School and is currently attending the University of British Columbia. Even though school and volunteering takes up most of her time, Kayla likes to spend her spare time playing the piano and reading novels. If she could travel to anywhere she would love to visit any city in South Africa that is the home to a variety of wildlife for she has a strong affinity for seeing animals thrive in their natural habitat. 

​Emma Lu is a graduate of RC Palmer Secondary School and is currently attending the University of Pennsylvania. Emma aspires to become a physician-scientist and is currently working at a translation research laboratory where they investigate the critical developmental pathways for the cardiopulmonary system. Away from school, Emma enjoys playing volleyball, drawing and reading. 

​Kitty Cheung is a graduate of Johnston Heights Secondary School and is currently attending Simon Fraser University. Beyond University Kitty spends her time indulging in photography, poetry and skateboarding. Kitty aspires to become a teacher, hoping one day to become an English Language Learning teacher in order to help those new to the English language.

​Rebecca Suen is a graduate of New Westminster Secondary School and is currently attending the University of British Columbia. Rebecca aspires to enter med school and become a doctor however has yet to decide on what kind of doctor she would like to be. Outside of school, Rebecca spends her time drawing, designing, hiking, playing piano and volunteering. 

​Giordana Dougans is a graduate of Sands Secondary School and is currently attending Douglas College. When Giordana isn’t studying she likes to spend her time writing poetry, short stories and volunteering in aquatics. Her advice for younger students? “Believe in your abilities, work hard, don’t give up, and take things one step at a time. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how you get something done. What matters is that you complete it to the best of your ability and make an effort to succeed.

​Jenna Faykosh is a graduate of Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary School and is currently attending the University of British Columbia. Jenna aspires to become a physiotherapist along side being happy and healthy throughout life. Jenna believes that fear holds you back from pursuing dreams, overcoming challenges and achieving goals. You cannot let the fear of failure hold you back because you will never have the satisfaction of accomplishment.

​Tyler Legg is a graduate of Rockridge Secondary School and is currently attending Queen's University in Ontario. Tyler hopes to become a conflict mediator with the United Nations Peacekeeping force in Southern Warzones. When he's not studying Tyler enjoys hiking, sculpting and creating videos.

​Jessica Vidovic is a graduate of Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary School and is currently attending Champlain College. She is working towards her goal of becoming a sports psychologist. When she isn’t deep into the books, Jessica likes to spend her time playing and coaching basketball. She defines success, opportunity, achievement and results as; SUCCESS:  Reaching the best outcome to something I’ve worked hard for.  Applying my abilities and exceeding expectations without limiting myself. OPPORTUNITY:  Creating chances and thinking outside the box to seize a moment or situation that arises.  Knowing that there are many paths that will take me to where I want to go .ACHIEVEMENT:  Setting a personal or team goal and having a plan, the mindset and drive to crush that goal.  Set another goal and repeat, the sky is the limit. RESULTS:  Seeing a noticeable change or outcome from the hard work put into achieving a goal or task without getting discouraged along the way. 

​Jordan Roberts is a graduate of R.A. McMath Secondary School and is currently attending Simon Fraser University. Jordan aspires to become a police officer and keeps himself busy through playing a variety of sports. Jordan believes that people need to take risks and strive for greatness for if you don't try you will never know what you are capable of. 

​Roy Zhao is a graduate of Port Moody Secondary School and is currently attending the University of British Columbia where he aspires to become a researcher in the field of biochemistry. Besides school, Roy enjoys spending his time playing badminton. He also wishes all future graduates the best of luck and hopes everyone will live their life in a way that they will not regret.

​Carmen Kim is a graduate of Gleneagle Secondary School and is currently attending the University of British Columbia. Carmen aspires to be an advocate for improving the quality of like around the world and an ambassador for women's education in developing countries. Her advice for younger students? "Be present in the moment and take care of yourself. Rather than overwhelming yourself with too much stress, sort yourself out and take on tasks one at a time. Keep in mind that things always work out in the end."

​Elly Choi is a graduate of R.E Mountain Secondary School and is currently attending the University of Pennsylvania. When she's not studying, Elly enjoys writing, photography and singing. Her favourite quote is "I can and I will" because it shows goal-setting, determination, and above all, a tenacious spirit.

​Miranda Anderson is a graduate of Burnaby Mountain Secondary School and is currently attending the University of British Columbia where she hopes to pursue a career in marine biology or environmental sciences. When she is not studying, you can find her filmmaking, hiking or painting. Miranda also spends her time volunteering and advocating for environmental causes at UBC.

​Niloufar Abrishami is a graduate of Ecole Handsworth Secondary School and is currently attending Simon Fraser University. She aspires to be a the change in the future generation in order to make a difference in the world and fight for the rights of those who have been discriminated against and forgotten. She has these words for younger students; “make each day count and make sure you are ready for a new chapter in your book of life. Enter post secondary with an open mind and open your mind to knowledge.”

​John Deasy is a graduate of A.R. MacNeil Secondary School and is currently attending Kwantlen Polytechnic University where he is studying engineering. John aspires to be a "changer" and hopes to specifically enter the field of Chemical/Biological Engineering. When he's not studying, John spends his time playing soccer, hiking and visiting various cultural spots around Vancouver. 

​Allison Mangaya is a graduate of Riverside Secondary School and is currently attending BCIT studying within the Biomedical Engineering program. Beyond University Allison enjoying playing a number of instruments such as the piano, trombone and guitar. Her advice for younger students? "The point of education isn't to achieve the highest marks but rather to make mistakes. Learn from them and become curious of the unknown."

​Hannah Grigg is a graduate of Delta Secondary School and is currently attending Western University. She aspires to be someone who cares for the planet and the people that share it with her. In her spare time Hannah loves to travel and explore the outdoors.

​Stanford Lin is a Henry James Cambie Secondary School graduate and is currently attending the University of British Columbia. Stanford aspires to be a software developer or have his own technological company. "Kites rise highest against the wind, not with it." Stanford loves this quote for he believes you can learn more through challenging yourself.

​Alex wen is a graduate of Semiahmoo Secondary School and is currently attending the University of British Columbia. There he aspires to become a theoretical/mathematical physicist. He defines success, opportunity, achievement, results as; success: how happy you are, opportunity: a chance for you and others to be happy, achievement: how much you've made others happy and results: how successfully you have used opportunities to create achievements. 

​Anurada Amarasekera is a graduate of Fraser Heights Secondary School. She is currently attending Simon Fraser University and is studying psychology. She hopes to pursue a career in Social Work. Anurada enjoys practicing yoga and writing poetry in her spare time. If Anurada could travel anywhere, she would go to Sri Lanka to see her extended family again.  Her advice for graduating students is to remember where their roots are; including their hometown and high school friends.

​Justin Chen is a graduate of Vancouver Technical Secondary School and is currently attending Simon Fraser University. Justin hopes to become a global leader who has the ability to empathize and communicate with others around the world. Outside of school Justin enjoys ice skating, meditating and playing the cello.

​Mackenzie Seaborn is a graduate of Hugh Boyd Secondary School and is currently attending Simon Fraser University where she is pursuing her passion for dance at Simon Fraser's School for Contemporary Arts. Mackenzie enjoys all genres of dance including contemporary, ballet and modern. Beyond university Mackenzie spends her time volunteering with a variety of organizations and officiating soccer games. 

​Kristine Deda is a graduate of Terry Fox Secondary School and is currently attending Simon Fraser University where she aspires to enter the medical or preservation of the environment field. When asked if she had any advice for younger students Kristine had this to say; “Study hard in high school because building good work habits will almost guarantee success in your post secondary career as well as get you accepted. Experience as much as you can, as soon as you can. This will help you narrow down your choices and figure out what exactly you are hoping to get out of your post secondary experience so you can spend the most time you can at post secondary striving for that goal, showing admissions officers that you are there for a reason and not just to get a degree”

​Dhupreet Dhaliwal is a graduate of Magee Secondary School and is currently attending Simon Fraser University. Duhpreet moves forward in her studies with the hopes of one day becoming a lawyer. Beyond University, Dhupreet says she would love to visit London ever since reading the Harry Potter books. Even though she probably wishes she got a letter from Hogwarts, Simon Fraser will have to do.

​Kevin Nan is a graduate of Fraser Heights Secondary school and a student at the UBC Sauder School of Business. When he’s not hitting the books, Kevin enjoys playing baseball and volleyball. In the future Kevin hopes to travel to South America in pursuit of his goal of visiting every continent by the age of 25. A goal from his years of being involved with Model UN, pushing him to explore cultures like his own. Living by the words of his fifth grade teacher “shoot for the moon and even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.”

​Elijah Bautista is a graduate of Holy Cross Regional Secondary School and is currently attending Simon Fraser University. Elijah enjoys playing ultimate hiking and strangely enough...studying for mid-terms. When asked if he had any advice for younger students Elijah said "whenever an opportunity (maybe in the form of a scholarship, job opening, or service) presents itself, seize it. You never know what will come out of it; and who knows, through one opportunity, many more opportunities could open up!"

​Hannah Grigg is a graduate of Delta Secondary School and is currently attending Western University. She aspires to be someone who cares for the planet and the people that share it with her. In her spare time Hannah loves to travel and explore the outdoors.

​Salisa Jatuweerapong is a graduate of Lord Byng Secondary school and is currently attending OCAD University. She aspires to be someone who can inspire others to be a better person, wanting her work whatever it may be to have a positive impact on people and create a movement. In future, Salisa hopes to visit her home, Thailand.

​Eric Liang is a graduate of David Thompson Secondary School and is currently attending the University of Waterloo. Eric aspires to one day work in the field of Data Management while keeping his passion for the piano alive. When he’s not studying Eric likes to play badminton, go on hikes or listen to some classical music.