As Delta’s Grade 12 students graduate this week, many have reasons to celebrate after finding out they are the recipients of some sizeable scholarships. Below is a selection of just some of the many talented and deserving scholarship winners in the district – Congratulations to all!
Sophia Kashi from Delta Secondary won the $50,000 Cmolik Foundation Scholarship
Sophia found out that she had won both The Cmolik Foundation Scholarship and the Beedie Luminaries SHINE Scholarship in April and was in utter disbelief. “Choosing between the two scholarships felt impossible. Ultimately, I chose The Cmolik Foundation’s scholarship, as I enjoyed my interview with them and felt a close connection to the foundation’s mission. During my interview, the panel recognized me beyond my academic, athletic, volunteer, and work achievements; they acknowledged and empathized with all that I have overcome to be where and who I am today. Although I have only been a part of the Foundation for a short period of time, I have already made meaningful connections with fellow scholars, board members, my mentor, and Mr. Cmolik himself,” said Sophia.
“No one can succeed on their own, I know firsthand that I have had a lot of help along the way. I am beyond grateful to Ms. Day and Ms. Rogers who, on top of their support over the past two years, wrote my letters of recommendation. Ms. Louiselle and Venetia, who have always been there for me. And last, but certainly not least, Ms. Jew, Ms. Greene, my friends, and my family—whose confidence in me never faltered despite my own doubts. Receiving these scholarships truly would not have been possible without their continual love and support,” she continued. “I can confidently say that I will use this opportunity to change the trajectory of my life, my family’s life, and contribute to making the world a better place through the education I will receive.”
Photo: Kim Jew, Shelley Greene, Sophia Kashi, Carla Day, Venetia Sylvester, Heather Loiselle
Inbal Tzafrir, from Delta Secondary, was selected as a 2025 Schulich Leader winning $100,000 to help her study Computer Science and Biology at McGill University.
“Winning the Schulich Leader Scholarship means having the freedom to focus on the work that matters to me and the responsibility to continue showing up for the communities I care about. It recognizes not just academic performance, but leadership in STEM,” said Inbal. “I chose McGill University because I see it as a place where I can grow both as a student and as a changemaker. The Computer Science and Biology program aligns perfectly with my interests, combining science, creativity, and impact. I was drawn to McGill’s collaborative environment and its excellent reputation for research that leads to real world solutions. I am excited to be challenged, to be pushed outside my comfort zone, and to learn from people who are just as curious and driven as I am. Being part of the Schulich community provides me with the resources and support to shape the next generation of science leaders. I hope to inspire more girls to pursue STEM and help others find their spark, just as I have.”
Inbal won multiple other scholarships including the BC Excellence Scholarship, the BCSTA (British Columbia School Trustees Association) Student Citizenship Scholarship, the Basant Motors Outstanding Academic and Community Pride Scholarship and the Delta Hospital and Community Health Foundation Scholarship.
Valerie Nguyen, also from Delta Secondary, won $26,800 from UBC.
She is planning to study for a Bachelor of Science at UBC and has secured a seat in its interdisciplinary, integrated program Science One for first years.
“I believe the importance of science is how to explain the “why?” of reality, advancing our understanding of the world to make a difference to those in our community,” said Valerie. “With a strong interest to dissect hearts, calculate the math of cathode ray tubes and a lifelong desire to help others, my current plan is to follow a career path in the field of healthcare. There are a giant number of options, from working night shifts in the hectic environment of the ER or becoming your local friendly pharmacist. And I intend to find where I fit best in the world by making the most of my university experience.”
“From a young age, I’ve always been someone to dream big and reach for the stars, no matter how many obstacles are presented in my path. It feels truly amazing to have my efforts rewarded – especially when I didn’t expect it,” she continued. “I consider this scholarship a huge stepping stone of my personal success to aid the next journey of my life. My parents have always valued education as a means for security and success. Receiving the award has greatly relieved the financial burden for my family and allowed me to focus on my academic pursuits in university, and I intend to make the most of it.”
“The highlight of my job as a Career and Post Secondary Advisor is helping students with their scholarship applications. It’s incredibly rewarding to be part of a process that can have such a big impact on their future. It was a pleasure working with Sophia, Inbal, Valerie and many other brilliant students these past few years,” said Kim Jew, Delta Secondary.
Cynthia Shingoose from Burnsview Secondary received the SHINE grade 12 scholarship of $22,000 from the Beedie Luminaries organization.
She is planning to study at Douglas College for a Sports Science diploma, then hopefully transfer into UBC for kinesiology. Cynthia hopes to become a chiropractor one day.
“Receiving this scholarship means everything to me,” said Cynthia. “This encourages me to strive towards my goals and to make everyone proud who has helped me along my journey, especially my dad, if it means that it can lift the weight off his shoulders and he doesn’t have to worry about my school funds, then yes this scholarship is super important to me and I’ll take it with pride and not let anyone down.
Fatima Zafar from Seaquam Secondary was awarded the UBC Centennial Scholars Entrance Award, valued at $40,000 over four years.
She will be attending UBC in the coming fall to pursue a Bachelor of Science. “I will be studying how sustainable bioproducts and natural resources can be used in healthcare spaces. Receiving the UBC Centennial Scholars Entrance Award means a lot to me as it recognizes my efforts and helps me connect with other diverse recipients to collaborate on projects to impact the local community and beyond,” said Fatima.
Piper Minty from Seaquam Secondary received the Beedie Luminaries scholarship of $44,000, as well as $1,000 from the Cmolik Foundation, $3,000 from the University of Victoria and $40,000 from UBC.
“I’m planning to study a pre-medical degree in Biochemistry at the University of Victoria in the fall. I chose this subject as I’m pursuing a career in anesthesiology. What started as a curiosity for anesthesiology became something I couldn’t stop thinking about. The more I learned, the more fascinated I became by their role in surgeries, pain management, and critical care. That interest has now become a full career goal to which I’m committed,” said Piper. “Winning these awards means more than recognition. It’s reassurance that all the late nights, the setbacks, and the persistence have led somewhere. Coming from a background where financial hardship and instability were constant challenges, this award lifts a huge weight off my shoulders and brings me closer to a future I’ve worked incredibly hard for. It’s not just encouragement, it’s freedom, opportunity, and a vote of confidence in my potential.”
Eileen Cai from South Delta Secondary won the Seymor Schulich Community Service Award, totalling $75,800.
Eileen plans to study engineering at the University of Calgary. “I’ve always been passionate about science and technology, especially when it comes to improving people’s health and quality of life. Biomedical Engineering stood out because it combines my engineering, biology, and medicine interests.” said Eileen. “Winning this award is a great honour. It recognizes the hard work I’ve put into my academics and personal growth, and it helps relieve some of the financial pressure of university costs, which means I can focus more on my studies and getting involved in the community.”
Evie Li from South Delta Secondary won the Beedie Luminaries scholarship and the Horatio Alger Award, totalling $49,000.
Evie is planning to study something related to biology or health sciences at UBC. “My interest in the sciences – specifically anatomy and physiology, stems from my innate curiosity about the human body and my desire to help others. I hope to go into a career where I can work with a variety of patients and provide them with adequate care while making a difference in their lives,” said Evie. “I am beyond grateful to Beedie Luminaries and the Horatio Alger Association of Canada for believing in my ambitions and helping fund the education to achieve my aspirations. Winning these awards has allowed me to feel more financially secure, as well as supported by the amazing team of people behind these organizations. The various networking opportunities, mentors, and support groups that have been offered to me will ultimately set me up for success.”
Rajkaranveer Sandhu from North Delta Secondary won the $20K Beedie Luminaries BUILD scholarship.
This is the first year that Beedie has provided a scholarship for students going into the Trades. Rajkaranveer enrolled in the BCIT level one Electrical Foundations program while at high school and plans to complete his education at BCIT to become a construction electrician and Red Seal Certified.
“I choose this career path because my family has always been tradespeople and I enjoy working in the construction industry, but more importantly my older brother is a big inspiration to me as he helped me get into the BCIT level one foundation program. I want to follow in his footsteps and become a great electrician who is prestigious in their craft,” said Rajkaranveer. “I am incredibly thankful and honoured to receive such a great opportunity. This award allows me to focus more on school and not have to worry about tuition fees or any underlying expenses that might arise.”
Mehr Bajwa from Delview Secondary was awarded the H.Y. Louise Entrance Award to SFU worth $5,000.
She is planning to study engineering with a specialization in biomedical engineering. “I’ve always been drawn to the medical field, but I’ve also really enjoyed math throughout high school. Biomedical Engineering stood out to me as the perfect way to bring both of those interests together. It combines problem-solving, creativity, and a real opportunity to help others through innovation in the healthcare industry,” said Mehr. “My long-term goal is to work with athletes with disabilities. As someone who has been involved in sports my whole life, I know how much movement, performance, and physical confidence impact overall well-being; not just physically, but mentally too. I hope to design medical devices that support recovery, enhance mobility, and help athletes reach their full potential, even after injury or setbacks.”
“Winning this scholarship is an honorable achievement and a meaningful milestone in my academic journey. It recognizes the countless hours I have devoted to my academics, clubs, leadership roles, and sports teams throughout high school. From organizing school events and volunteering in my community to leading on the basketball court and balancing multiple extracurricular activities, I have always worked hard to give my best. I am especially grateful for my parents, whose support behind the scenes has been invaluable. They have believed in me even during challenging times, provided constant encouragement, driven me to practices and events, and cheered for me at every game. Receiving this scholarship motivates me to continue working diligently as I pursue my post-secondary education. It reminds me that commitment and perseverance truly lead to success, and I am thankful for the opportunity to focus on my goals and make a positive impact in the future,” Mehr concluded.
- Isaias Aquino from North Delta Secondary won a Beedie Luminaries scholarship of $44,000.
- Amrita Bhardwaj from Seaquam Secondary received a bursary of $2,000 from the Delta Hospital Auxiliary Society.
- Rauha Khan from Delview Secondary won a $44, 000 Beedie Luminaries Award and is heading to UBC.
- Maria Machlout from Delview Secondary won the Douglas President Entrance Award of $20,000 and a $1,250 District Authority scholarship.
- Nevada Nygard from Delview Secondary was a recipient of a $1,500 Royal Legion Bursary.
- Manahil Sahar from Delview Secondary was awarded a $40,000 SFU Entrance Award, $2,200 Basant Motors Scholarship $2200, $1,500 from the Delta Hospital Foundation $1500, a $5,000 BC Excellence Scholarship and a $1,250 District Authority Scholarship.
- Danishta Roy Sing from Delview Secondary was the recipient of a $1,800 scholarship from the Susan and Steven Education Fund.
- Muhammad Usaid from North Delta Secondary won $50,000 from the Cmolik Foundation and a $20,000 SFU Entrance Scholarship.
We wish all Delta students the very best of luck as they embark on their post-secondary journey!
Many thanks to the district’s Career & Post-Secondary Advisors for connecting the students to the vast array of scholarships available from universities, colleges and community organizations, and guiding them through the complex application process.
For students entering Grade 12 in September, we encourage you to connect with your school’s Career & Post-Secondary Advisor as early in the school year as possible to ensure you don’t miss out on any scholarships, bursaries and awards that you may qualify for.