Award Recipients

Being selected for this scholarship is such an honor. It will ease some of the financial burden of my education and allow me to fully focus on achieving my academic and career goals. The STA has always been an important part of my mom’s life, and soon it will be a part of mine as I follow in her footsteps of becoming an elementary school teacher.

I have had opportunities to volunteer in classrooms and build meaningful relationships with students while firsthand seeing the hard work that gets put in, which has strengthened my passion for teaching. Throughout my years in elementary and high school, I have had unforgettable experiences with incredible teachers who have inspired me and continue to, and I hope to be just as impactful in the lives of my future students.

I am truly grateful to be chosen for this scholarship and excited to see what the future brings in my educational journey!

Hello, my name is Amishka Pashan and I’m honoured to be a recipient of the Surrey Teachers’ Association Scholarship. This scholarship means a lot to me, as it is a reflection of the hard work and effort I have put into my studies throughout high school.

At the moment, I am studying Engineering at UBC and am eager to learn more about technology and innovation in the world. Receiving this scholarship will aid me financially in pursuing my education and allow me to dedicate myself fully to my studies and future goals. I’m sincerely grateful for this support as I continue my academic journey.

I’m both deeply honoured and grateful to be selected as a recipient for the Surrey Teachers Association’s Scholarship this year. This generous award will allow me to take full advantage of UBC’s available opportunities for engineering students and relieve some financial pressure allowing me to allocate more time to pursue my academic goals.

Throughout secondary school, I discovered a passion for analytical problem solving and Physics, so I aim to specialize in Mechanical Engineering and to contribute to the development of innovative solutions, ensuring a more ethical, sustainable, and convenient future for the world.

However, during my time in high school, I also unearthed an inclination to leadership and teaching positions after being inspired by some of the excellent teachers I had the pleasure of learning from. Despite my pursuit of a Bachelor’s of Applied Science, I would one day like to work as a teacher or professor, and leave a lasting impression on the next generation of students.

Once again, I’m very thankful and proud to be a recipient of this scholarship.

I would like to express my utmost gratitude for being awarded the Surrey Teacher Association’s Student Scholarship Award. In appreciation for recognizing my efforts to contribute mentorship and leadership to the community, I extend a heartfelt thank you.

This coming fall, I will be pursuing a degree in the Bachelor of Arts at the University of British Columbia with a specific focus on the Urban Studies program. This specialization focuses on the ways our cities are designed, along with how planning decisions affect our health, economy, and daily lives. The award generously given to me will help me work towards my goal of working in an Urban Planning career so that I can help improve the places in which we live. In this way, I am committed to giving back to my community. Any amount of support to lift the burden for my family, who are simultaneously supporting my two brothers in their post secondary endeavors, is very much appreciated.

Again, I truly appreciate your support in helping me not only pursue my own dreams but also in allowing me to improve our community. I am extremely grateful that my efforts are being recognized and support and I hope that my contributions will be impactful for generations to come.

I am so honoured and extremely grateful to have been selected for the Surrey Teachers’ Association Scholarship! This scholarship means a lot to me, covering a significant cost of my first semester and recognizing the hard work I’ve put into my studies and extracurriculars.

I’m currently in my first year at Simon Fraser University’s Beedie School of Business, working toward a BBA degree and pursuing a career in business following graduation. This scholarship will allow me to dedicate more focus to my studies and discover which concentration of business I have a passion for!

Thank you so much, STA committee, for this generous award! I truly appreciate it and can’t wait to make the most of this opportunity.

I want to sincerely thank STA for selecting me as the recipient of the Surrey Teachers’ Association Bursary. I am truly grateful for your support. This award will make a significant difference in helping me pursue my passion for studying engineering. I am thrilled that my hard work has been recognized, and it motivates me to continue striving toward my academic and career goals.

Thank you once again for your generosity and encouragement.

I am incredibly honoured to be the recipient of the Surrey Teacher’s Association Bursary. Thank you to the STA Awards committee for acknowledging my dedication to my education and my community. As I complete a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of British Columbia and plan to pursue a career in the medical field, this generous award will provide significant financial support, bringing me a step closer to my dreams.

Having been a student in the Surrey School District for all thirteen years of my schooling, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all the amazing teachers that make up this district, especially those who have supported me along the way. Their encouragement, guidance, and belief in my potential has shaped me into the confident, ambitious, and hopeful young woman I am today. I also want to thank my mother for the unwavering love, sacrifice, and constant support she provides.

I am deeply inspired by the genuine passion that my mother and all the teachers I’ve had throughout the years have for their careers, as well as the profound impact they continue to have on countless young lives. I hope to carry those same values of compassion, dedication, and service into my future career, so that I too can make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

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My name is Emily Tong, and I am currently a first-year student at Simon Fraser University, majoring in Health Science. I am extremely grateful and honoured to receive the Surrey Teachers’ Association Bursary Scholarship. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Surrey Teachers’ Association and the members of the scholarship committee for selecting me for this scholarship. This support is invaluable to me and will make a real difference, allowing me to dedicate myself fully to my education. I would also like to thank all my teachers at Burnaby Mountain Secondary for their guidance and support, as well as my parents for their constant encouragement and help in preparing me for post-secondary life.

Being awarded the Surrey Teachers Association Bursary has pushed me to strive towards success to an even greater extent in both school and life. In preparation for the future, I plan to use this bursary to further my education as I continue to study my passions and interests in an academic setting. This bursary symbolizes not only my hard work and perseverance over the years, but the time and effort of those who contributed towards my application. I am incredibly grateful to everyone who supported me throughout this journey, and I will continue to work diligently in the years to come with the help of this bursary.

Hello my name is madi perreault I am Metis I go to Enver creek secondary and receiving this bursary is incredibly meaningful to me. As a student entering the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at UBC Okanagan, this support helps reduce the financial barriers that often come with pursuing post-secondary education and moving 6 hours from surrey to kelowna.

My long-term goal is to become a nurse serving rural and underserved communities in British Columbia. One of the main places i hope to work is Williams lake. Growing up, I saw how access to healthcare can vary significantly depending on where people live, and I want to help address those gaps by providing care to communities that often face shortages of healthcare professionals.

As an Indigenous student and youth in fostercare, education represents an opportunity not only to build a meaningful career but also to create positive change for others who may face similar challenges. In the future, I hope to further my education by completing studies in Indigenous Studies alongside my nursing career. By combining nursing knowledge with a deeper understanding of Indigenous history, cultures, and perspectives, I hope to provide culturally safe care and strengthen relationships between healthcare providers and Indigenous communities. This bursary brings me one step closer to achieving these goals.

Receiving this scholarship is incredibly meaningful to me. Throughout high school, I have been passionate about serving my community and creating positive change. As the founder of Hands of Hope, a youth-led nonprofit organization supporting people affected by homelessness in Surrey, I have organized fundraisers, coordinated volunteers, assembled care packages, and worked directly with community organizations. Through these efforts, I have helped raise over $10,000 to support individuals experiencing homelessness and other vulnerable members of our community. These experiences have strengthened my commitment to social justice, advocacy, and service. I was also honoured to receive Surrey’s Top 25 Under 25 Award in recognition of my work with Hands of Hope and my contributions to the community.

This scholarship will help support my studies at the University of British Columbia, where I will be pursuing a Bachelor of Arts. My goal is to continue advocating for communities facing social and economic challenges while developing the knowledge and skills needed to create meaningful change through public service and community leadership.

I am extremely grateful to the Surrey Teachers’ Association and the Awards Committee for their generosity and belief in my potential. This recognition motivates me to continue working toward making a positive impact in the lives of others.

Thank you again for this honour.

I am honoured to receive the Surrey Teachers’ Association Jennifer Wadge Memorial Social Justice Award. Throughout high school, I have been passionate about serving my community through leadership, tutoring, volunteering, and community outreach. This award will support my studies at the University of British Columbia, where I will pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree. I hope to build a career in creating positive change in my community. I am sincerely grateful to the STA Awards Committee for their generosity and support as I begin this next chapter of my education.

I am incredibly grateful and honoured to receive this scholarship. Your generosity will help support my studies at the UBC Sauder School of Business, allowing me to focus on my education and fully engage in the opportunities that will help me grow as a student and future professional. My long-term goal is not simply personal success, but to use my skills, education, and voice to contribute meaningfully to my community and help create systems that better serve the people within them. By pursuing a career in accounting or finance, I hope to make a positive impact through ethical leadership, informed decision-making, and service to others. This scholarship brings me one step closer to achieving those aspirations, and I am sincerely thankful for your investment in my future.

This scholarship means more to me than words can describe. Beyond the financial support for my studies at UBC, it sets off a beautiful chain of events. Attending university allows me to expand my social justice work in ways that would otherwise be impossible, granting me access to networks, connections, and philanthropic pathways. Pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Food, Nutrition, and Health (BSFN) bridges my interests in STEM and social studies, directly shaping how I approach humanitarian issues.

My drive for philanthropy was sparked entirely by the educators in the Surrey Teachers’ Association. My journey began in Grade 7 with Ms. Marcakis, where a “Genius Hour” project on global women’s rights ignited my passion. Later, my secondary school teachers – Ms. Johal and Ms. Sitch deepened my understanding of community and global issues. Tragically, the passing of my Grade 1 teacher, Ms. Onotera, opened my eyes to the ongoing reality of domestic violence. This inspired me to create a support system for affected women and daughters. Today, at 18, I run my non-profit, the “Phulkari Movement,” which provides mentorship and raises funds to uplift women and girls.

My ultimate career goal is to become an obstetrician-gynecologist. I want to advocate for female patients who often feel unheard regarding their own bodies. To me, being a physician requires more than just STEM excellence; it demands a deep education in social issues and a heart for global change. I am profoundly grateful to the STA for helping me take this next step.

Receiving this scholarship is truly an honour, and I am incredibly grateful to the donors, sponsors, and supporters who made it possible.
As an international student, funding my post-secondary education comes with many challenges. The cost of tuition and other expenses can be overwhelming at times, so receiving this award means more to me than I can fully express. Not only does it ease some of the financial pressure, but it also gives me confidence and encouragement as I continue working toward my academic and career goals.

What makes this scholarship especially meaningful is its focus on social justice. Through my involvement in student leadership, community service, and advocacy initiatives, I have learned how important it is to create spaces where people feel seen, heard, and valued. Being recognized for these efforts motivates me to keep pursuing meaningful change and to continue working toward a future where fairness, inclusion, and equal opportunity are realities for everyone.

Beyond the financial support, this scholarship has shown me the difference that believing in young people can make. Knowing that an organization is willing to invest in students like me is incredibly inspiring. It has encouraged me not only to continue pursuing my own goals but also to think about the impact I hope to have on others in the future.

I hope that through my education, career, and community involvement, I can help create the same opportunities and encouragement that I have received through this award. Just as this organization has invested in me, I hope to one day support and inspire others, especially young people who may face barriers of their own. Receiving this scholarship has strengthened my desire to contribute to the work of building a more equitable society and to help open doors for future generations.

This award is more than an investment in my education; it is a reminder of the responsibility I have to use my experiences, knowledge, and opportunities to make a positive difference. I am honoured to be recognized by an organization whose values resonate so deeply with me, and I look forward to carrying those values forward in my studies, my future career, and my service to others.

Thank you again for your generosity and for believing in my potential. Your support will have a lasting impact on my educational journey, and it inspires me to continue striving toward a future where I can make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.