Five Surrey students receive $45K scholarships from Cmolik Foundation
Surrey Schools is proud to share that five students in the district are each receiving $45,000 scholarships from the Cmolik Foundation for their post-secondary education.
Students from Guildford Park Secondary, L.A. Matheson, Lord Tweedsmuir, Queen Elizabeth and Tamanawis secondary schools are among this year’s Cmolik scholarship winners, recognized for their academic achievements, work ethic, philanthropy and ability to overcome adversity.
This year’s Cmolik scholarship recipients are:
Ishaq Ahmad, L.A. Matheson Secondary
Recognized for his hard work and commitment to academic excellence, Ahmad is pursuing a bachelor of business administration at Simon Fraser University and sees himself as a financial manager for an ethically and morally responsible business in his future.
“Ishaq is an honest and respectable young man,” said the school’s music director Gary Tse. “He has a gentle spirit, very warm and welcoming. He is an incredibly hardworking, dedicated, strong-willed person.”
Annie Khosa, Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary
With a smile on her face, Khosa received her Cmolik scholarship to study dentistry, first attaining a bachelor of science in biology from the University of Alberta before enrolling in a four-year doctoral dentistry program.
“Annie’s educational goals are ambitious and reflect her determination to make a positive impact by giving back to the community,” said teacher and coach Sim Sidhu. “Knowing Annie, the decision to work in healthcare is rooted in a passion for helping others.”
“I am very proud of everything Annie has accomplished especially with the adversity facing her,” said counsellor Jordy Cameron. “She is a young woman with strong work ethics who overachieves in every aspect of her life.”
Jennifer McLaren, Queen Elizabeth Secondary
Always putting others first, McLaren was selected as a recipient for her desire to make positive change in the world. She will be studying history at Simon Fraser University before taking the school’s professional development program to become a teacher, saying, “you must look to the past to change the future.”
“Jennifer is intelligent, mature, and likable young woman,” said counsellor Jeremy Lendvoy. “She is a leader and will be an amazing advocate for other future generations. She is absolutely selfless.”
Gaveen Gia, Guildford Park Secondary
A natural leader driven by creativity and up for any challenge, Gia hopes to work as a creative director for a company that specializes in sports or fashion.
“I have grown to know Gaveen over the last five years both as a student and as an active volunteer,” said English teacher Mahvir Kaur Thiara. “To this day, Gaveen continues to be a dependable, resourceful and positive contributor to our school community. Her unfaltering dedication and persistence to achieve high academic results continues to impress all teachers at Guildford Park Secondary. She is a remarkable young woman and outstanding student.”
Giya Gill, Tamanawis Secondary
A past graduate of Tamanawis Secondary, Gill was awarded the scholarship as an alumnus towards her pursuit of a bachelor of science from Simon Fraser University. Gill intends to become a doctor and credits her academic motivation to the doctors she volunteers with the Korle-Bu Neuroscience Foundation, a Canadian charity that enhances the delivery of quality brain and spinal medical care in West Africa and beyond.
“Giya is a bright and engaging young person,” said teacher Debbie Darling. “She has clearly defined goals and the motivation and growth mindset required to see them through. These traits will serve her well as she pursues her plans to complete a degree in medicine.”
Founded in 2008, the Cmolik Foundation provides scholarships to youth who have experienced adversity, supporting their undergraduate and post-secondary education. Currently, 100 students are enrolled in the foundation’s scholarship program.
Congratulations to all of our 2024 Cmolik Foundation scholarship recipients!
For past winners, see our recipients from 2023, 2022 (including graduate scholarships), 2021 and 2020.
