Scholarships help with Langley students’ post-secondary dreams

Beedie Luminary Awards given to six local youths this year

Scholarships help with Langley students’ post-secondary dreams Published 5:45 pm Tuesday, July 14, 2026 Shara Sherwan Azad had to read the email from the Beedie Luminaries Foundation over and over to make sure she was really a scholarship winner. The 18-year-old Langley Secondary grad, who hopes to become a dentist, is one of six local students chosen by the B.C. foundation to receive SHINE Awards (Soaring Higher IN Education).

The Langley Advance Times reached out to the six and included those who responded. “It helps immensely with my goal of becoming a dentist takes multiple years to complete,” she explained. “Getting the SHINE award made it seem like it was possible for me without going into immense debt which truly makes me want to push myself harder to achieve my goal knowing that I have the Beedie Luminaries team right behind me.”

R.E. Mountain Secondary student Emil Hung, 17, who attended the school’s International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program will head to the University of British Columbia, going for a degree in biology, cellular anatomy, or physiological sciences as a first step to medical school. He called the Beedie “life-changing.” “It allows me to focus more fully on my education while taking advantage of experiences like volunteering, research, internships, and community involvement without the financial pressures,” Hung said.

He was “absolutely ecstatic” to be a recipient. “As a first-generation immigrant to Canada, starting over in a new country came with so many uncertainties, hence, receiving this support gave me the confidence that I belong, the motivation to continue advocating for my passions, and to give back to others whenever I can,” Hung said. Daniella Willson also attended R.E. Mountain and did her final year of high school online.

Her plan is to get a bachelor in psychology. “Receiving the SHINE Award has had a significant impact on my plans. The financial support will allow me to focus more on my education and reduce the stress of paying for university.

It has also given me confidence in pursuing my goal of getting a bachelor’s degree and helping others,” the 18-year-old said. Beedie Luminary scholarships were established in 2018 with a $50 million donation from businessman Ryan Beedie to mark his 50th birthday. There are now six scholarship streams: SHINE (Soaring Higher IN Education) supporting grade 12 students, RISE (Refugee & Immigrant Student Education), SPARK (Single Parent Award for Resilience and Knowledge), a Graduate Studies stream for those who have obtained their undergraduate degree with support from Luminaries, BUILD for those pursuing skilled trades, and the new Family Practice Medical Degree Scholarship.

A total of $59 million in scholarships have been given away since 2018 to more than 1,300 students facing financial hardship. Beedie Luminaries’ students receive scholarships valued at up to $44,000 for undergraduate studies, $50,000 for graduate studies, and $20,000 for skilled trades. Beyond financial support, each student also receives services designed to help them thrive, including mentorship, student success advising, workshops, and peer support.

• Value of scholarships: • Up to $44,000 for undergraduate studies • $50,000 for graduate studies • $20,000 for skilled trades • Each student also receives services designed to help them thrive, including mentorship, student success advising, workshops, and peer support (valued at up to $30,000 per student).

This Year’s Cohort • Total number of students awarded scholarships: 310 • Total amount of scholarships awarded this year: $13 million (a record for the program) • Breakdown: • SHINE: 187 • RISE: 44 • SPARK: 11 • GSA: 11 • BUILD: 25 • Family Practice Medical Degree: 33 • Where the students are from: 34 municipalities across the province • 85 per cent of students live in rental, co-op, or social/transitional housing • 25 per cent of SHINE recipients are the first-generation in their family to go to post- secondary • 58 per cent identify as Black, Indigenous, or racialized • SHINE students come from 95 unique high schools across B.C. • Northern-most hometown represented: Hudson’s Hope • Smallest hometown: Cache Creek (population 1,000) • RISE:

Students come from 17 unique home countries • BUILD: 20 per cent of the recipients are female