Scholarships and Bursaries

Alexander Economou

I am the son of Ruth Economou, a teacher with the SMS chapter. I just graduated from high school at St. Michaels University School in Victoria, where I was involved in United Nations and Commonwealth Youth summits, rugby, track, and community service opportunities.  In my community, I volunteer with my local Greek Community Society, and participate in club rugby and basketball. I am passionate about history, politics, and international relations. I have been accepted to Mount Allison University in New Brunswick where I will be pursuing my passions by studying Political Science. Before I begin my undergraduate studies in September 2012, I will be volunteering for Canada World Youth where I will be working with a team of eight other Canadian youth on an environmental/agricultural project for three months in rural Quebec and three months in Mali, Africa. I hope that by immersing myself in a different community context in Quebec and in a different culture in Mali, I will be contributing to others while teaching myself to be a better global citizen. Read his essay here

Michael Gibbard

I would like to take his opportunity to thank the PEA you for the contribution that the it has made towards my future endeavors in life, helping me achieve a dream of the furtherance of my education.  I will use this generous donation to help pay for my future studies at the University of British Columbia, where I plan to double major in Psychology and Physics.  After receiving my bachelors degree, I plan to apply to law school and continue my education.  Read his essay here

Jordan Pryce

My name is Jordan Pryce and I am a recipient of one of the PEA Scholarships for this year. I want to express my gratitude to the award committee for selecting my essay and for the opportunity this award has given me. The scholarship will provide the funding I need to meet my tuition requirements at the University of British Columbia where I will be pursuing a Bachelor of Science. I want to make a difference in the world by working in the environmental sector. Read his essay here

Ian Sunde

I am very pleased to have been chosen as a recipient of a PEA scholarship.  It is an important contribution to my first year of studies at Vancouver Island University.  I am pursuing a degree in sciences and will be majoring in Geology.  It is an honour to receive this award. Read his essay here

Will Tanner

Thank you so much for this scholarship, it is truly a huge contribution. I will be studying economics at the University of British Columbia in the fall, so this year's essay was right up my alley. I hope to participate in future years, thanks again! Read his essay here

Daniel Weisgerber

Read his essay here

Courtenay Clark

I am very grateful for the PEA scholarship to help fund the second year of my Masters of Science program at the University of Montreal.  My project on ethnobotany and ethnoecology involves working with Inuit elders in Labrador to document their traditional uses of plants and the landscape, for example, which plants were eaten, or used for medicinal purposes.  I hope to continue working with other aboriginal groups, particularly in BC, towards the goal of linguistic, cultural, and biodiversity conservation. Read her essay here

Daniel Penny

I am very thankful for the help of the PEA, as I may be switching my focus for my post secondary education to engineering. This field shows lots of variability and seems to suit my interests. Moving from small town Williams lake to UNBC in Prince George has been a big jump that I have  really enjoyed and benefited from. Read his essay here

Trevor Sproule

When I’m not out on my next extreme adventure, I’m hard at work in the beautiful Okanagan. I have recently finished my first year at university and I plan to go back for 8 more to become an Orthopedic Surgeon. In the meantime I work at the local pool as a lifeguard and swim instructor and enjoy protecting lives. Outside of my days sitting in a classroom or jumping in a pool for little kids I get out and get my adrenaline flowing. I fill my spare time with snowmobiling, snowboarding, wakeboarding and downhill biking. Read his essay here

Riley Whyte

It is truly an honour to be awarded with one of the PEA Scholarships.  The topic for this year's essay was of particular importance to me being a full-time student holding two jobs at minimum wage.  With increasing tuition costs and the cost of living going up, the winnings from this Scholarship will greatly help me financially this coming school year.  I have recently been accepted into the Bsc Pharmacy program for which I will attend this coming fall.  My future academic plans are to complete my degree in Pharmacy in 2015 and do one further year of schooling which will allow me to be a Pharmacist in a hospital setting. I would like to thank the PEA for making these scholarships available and personally thank you for the financial contributions and recognition to myself as a recipient. Read his essay here

Bursary Recepients

• Carlie Graham, UVic, Victoria
• Kate Hollefreund, UVic, Victoria
• Scott McKay, PGSD, Prince George
• Karen Whonnock, LSS, Thornhill