Burnaby-born developer and philanthropist Ryan Beedie is once again preparing to hand out $4.2 million in scholarships to B.C. high school grads facing financial barriers to post-secondary education.
Beedie Luminaries, Beedie's scholarship program, will award 105 scholarships in 2022, each worth up to $40,000 toward studies at any public university, college or trade school in B.C., according to a news release.
There will be a virtual open house on Nov. 25 for prospective applicants who want to know more about the program, ask questions and interact with scholarship recipients.
Students looking to attend the open house are encouraged to follow Beedie Luminaries announcements on social media, the release said.
Last year, Beedie Luminaries handed out 112 scholarships to promising Grade 12 students, including nine from Burnaby.
“The Beedie Luminaries community made me feel like I belong,” Byrne Creek Community School grad and 2021 Beedie Luminaries scholarship winner Sana Alzaza said in the release. “It is a family that welcomes everyone.”
Past Beedie Luminaries have demonstrated not just academic readiness, but also shared compelling personal stories of adversity and resilience as well as a strong record of contributing to their families and communities, according to the release.
More than 70% of last year’s recipients live in rental or social housing, 75% come from single-parent or foster families and 35% are the first in their family to attend post-secondary schools, the release said.
“We cannot wait to connect with more promising students from all over B.C. and support them as they further their education,” Beedie said in the release. “This year, in light of the labour shortage within the skilled trades sector, we would like to particularly encourage students considering a career in the trades to apply.”
Now in its fifth year, Beedie Luminaries launched in November 2018 with a $50-million donation from Beedie to coincide with his 50th birthday.
In its first year, the program was only open to students from Metro Vancouver but expanded to include students from all over B.C in its second year.
B.C. Grade 12 students looking to apply for a Beedie Luminaries scholarship can do so online at beedieluminaries.ca.
The deadline is Jan. 13, 2022 at 9 a.m. (PST).
Successful applicants will be announced in mid-May 2022.
