Surrey teens who face barriers, challenges receive $20K bursaries

Four students from a Cloverdale school who have challenging life issues have beaten the odds and received bursaries for post-secondary.

The Cloverdale Learning Centre students are recipients of the Clarence Heppell Foundation bursaries for either two or four years, worth $10,000 for each year to be used at any post-secondary institution. According to a Surrey Schools release, the bursary is granted to students who would otherwise face financial barriers in accessing post-secondary education.

That sounds just about right for the learning centre students, as these schools are alternatives to mainstream, for students who often had trouble in regular school. This could be due to bullying or harassment, for students who have socialization issues but are gifted, or various other reasons.

“It is, in my opinion, a life-changing amount of money for anyone, and our students were absolutely thrilled at the news,” CLC counsellor Brigitte Bourassa-LeBlanc said.

“They really met the criteria and presented well, so I felt confident in their chances.”

Staff at the school worked together with students to support in submitting applications for those who met the criteria outlined, which included students needing financial assistance, being on-track for for graduation and had an interest in pursuing work in a field they could be successful in receiving employment in.

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