For further information on the Downtown Surrey Business Improvement Association Bursary please contact the DSBIA via email: info@downtownsurreybia.com.

–

2008 BIA Bursary Winner – Kwantlen Park Secondary

Daveena Jagpal was thrilled to receive a financial awards this spring from the Downtown Surrey Business Improvement Association’s Business Education Scholarship program.

She was chosen by a committee of Kwantlen teachers out of nearly 100 student applicants for the DSBIA bursary in recognition for her outstanding academic performance, business aspirations, and commitment to community.

She begins her career in earnest, as a student in the SFU Surrey Business Administration faculty with a major in accounting and a minor in finances.

“I know being a chartered accountant is a tougher goal but I know I can do it. They are in demand and more versatile,” says Daveena, “and I like math and organization. I was inspired by a visiting accountant on Professional Day in Grade 6 and I’ve worked towards that goal ever since. Believe me, those Professional Days really work.”

She is very active in the Indo-Canadian community, performing with the Kwantlen Parek Bhangra dance team at numerous events. “It’s such a great way to stay connected with my culture and help others learn about it.”

She also served on Student Council and Grad Committee and was Kwantlen’s Fundraising Team Captain for the Canadian Cancer Society.

“Always have something to work towards, and never give up.” Wise words from a little whirlwind with a very bright future.

–

2008 BIA Bursary Winner – Queen Elizabeth Secondary

Kyle Krystalowich is one of two local grade 12 students recently awarded a $1,000 business education bursary to SFU Surrey by the Downtown Surrey Business Improvement Association.

An in-school scholarship committee of teachers chose Kyle for the Business Futures category in recognition of his business interest and potential, academic achievement, and community participation. The prize will be applied to his first year tuition in SFU Surrey’s Business Faculty.

“SFU Surrey has one of the best business programs and faculties in western Canada,” says Kyle, “and has a great student community with lots of activities. I wanted to stay in my community, and with the quality of program and minimal commute, it was a perfect option.”

Kyle was hooked on business with his first accounting class in Grade 11, enjoying working through case studies and business problems and continued with economics courses in Grade 12. “I was intrigued by how the economic world goes ‘round.”

He balances his academic life with organized sports and Surrey City lifeguarding, working at North Surrey Rec Centre pool this summer before attending SFU.

Currently interested in accounting, which has nine specialties to choose from, Kyle plans a CGA career, first for a large company then for himself.

“My inspiration for success? Do something that interests you and you enjoy and give it all you’ve got.”

–

2007 Downtown Surrey BIA Bursaries

In 2007, two outstanding local teens each received $1,000 bursaries from the DSBIA.

Simi Brar, of Kwantlen Park, and Hans Aisake, of Queen Elizabeth, are both heading to SFU Surrey this September with big plans for the future.

“Our scholarship committee looks for excellence in community and school service, skill level, marks, business ability and business career plans,” says Rick Minkler, committee co-chair and Career Facilitator at Kwantlen Park. Simi has all she needs to be very successful in business.”

Besides her academic achievements, she is also very involved in her Indo-Canadian community as a musician and dancer with the Punjab Cultural Arts Club, often performing at local events, and plays on her school’s basketball and volleyball teams.

“After my MBA from SFU, I see myself taking over and building up my dad’s trucking companies. I want to be the first local Indo-Canadian woman to make it big in business.”

Hans Aisake is a real modern-day ‘Renaissance Man’ who promises to “do everyone proud,” in robotical or software engineering.

“I am really looking forward to starting in the Science I cohort at SFU this fall; the class sizes and variety of courses really appeal to me – so much better than UBC or on the mountain.”

When he’s not building robots, he’s peer-tutoring at school in math & sciences for grades 8-to-12, playing rugby, or running track & field. And for a change of pace, he plays a little alto sax and guitar. “I try to be a balanced person – to keep well-rounded in everything.”

In ten years he sees himself traveling and working overseas. “My ideal job is lead designer for an engineering team for all the latest communications technology. And hopefully, by then, women will have discovered me,” he says, winking.

–

Countoures Awarded 2006 DSBIA Bursary

Emmanuel Countoures has been awarded the first Downtown Surrey Business Improvement Association Bursary of $1,000. Developed to support academic excellence in the  community, the DSBIA Bursary is a scholarship offered to students who will be pursuing higher education at SFU’s Surrey campus.

After completing his Bachelor’s Degree, Emmanuel will work toward his Master’s in Computing at SFU’s Faculty of Applied Science. His long-range plans include a career in the computer game industry. Passionate about game design, his aim is job satisfaction. “I admire someone who loves what they do, regardless of financial reward.” In addition to English, he speaks Greek and conversational French, acts, and does stand-up comedy. He’s also been active in improv for a number of years and was a member of the second- ranked improv team in B.C, in 2005. An outstanding member of the community, Emmanuel also plays soccer, baseball and hockey and has served over 1500 hours as an altar boy.

–

2008 BIA Bursary Winner – Kyle Krystalowich

I caught up with Kyle Krystalowich, a 19-year-old Surrey local over the phone on a hectic Tuesday afternoon. Between the hustle and bustle of going to class at Simon Fraser University and working part time as a life guard at the North Surrey Rec Centre, he took some time out of his busy schedule to get me caught up on his many projects.

Krystalowich, the winner of the 2008 Downtown Surrey Business Improvement Association bursary, has certainly been keeping busy. His university life not only includes matriculating, but also participating in a little known club called Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE).

Krystalowich explains that SIFE, which he joined during his first year of university, has opened the doors to a world of new challenges and rewarding experiences. In fact, he just returned from a competition held in Toronto, where he and fellow SIFE members presented on community development in front of a national audience. When asked what it is about SIFE that appeals to him so much, Krystalowich eagerly explains, “It’s not like regular projects that are repeated year after year. We get to create new projects from our own ideas and run them!”

Currently, Krystalowich is working on LIFE (Learning Important Fundamentals and Ethics) where he gives presentations on sustainability to high school students and encourages them to get involved with local and global issues. “I just like giving back to my school. SIFE lets me help the community and it also helps me with my university career”, says Krystalowich modestly.

It looks as though Krystalowich’s experiences with SIFE are paving his educational path too. Although he is undecided on a major, he says entrepreneurship is definitely an attractive route. His advice for other students looking for bursaries is to “just go out there. Not many people apply, so just by doing that, you have good chance”.

- Joyce Quach