Scholarship Winner Testimonials
My name is Elisa Bittante and I won the Tessa Beauchamp Scholarship in 2015. This scholarship truly helped pave the way to where I am now. It helped me pay for my undergraduate degree at the University of the Fraser Valley, where I majored in French and graduated with my Bachelor of Arts in December 2019. After this I went on to the University of British Columbia to complete my Bachelor of Education and graduated in July 2021. This past year I was hired as a French teacher at Holy Cross High School. This past year I also had the opportunity to coach one the Grade 8 Girls Basketball teams at Holy Cross and for the 2022/2023 school year as well as coaching, I will be the new Girls Basketball Program Coordinator at Holy Cross.
Tessa inspired me when I was just 11 years old and I continued to look up to her throughout my own high school basketball career. Receiving the scholarship in her name was a true honour and a huge step in beginning my career as a teacher. When I look back at my “why” for playing basketball, it was truly because I loved it and as Tessa got sick and I continued in the things I loved, Tessa was often at the forefront of my thoughts and I often looked down at my purple bracelet taking strength and courage from her when things were tough. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart to the Tessa Beauchamp foundation for this scholarship, the meaning behind it was invaluable to me and the money truly helped me succeed in my goals.
Elisa Bittante
Tessa inspired me when I was just 11 years old and I continued to look up to her throughout my own high school basketball career. Receiving the scholarship in her name was a true honour and a huge step in beginning my career as a teacher. When I look back at my “why” for playing basketball, it was truly because I loved it and as Tessa got sick and I continued in the things I loved, Tessa was often at the forefront of my thoughts and I often looked down at my purple bracelet taking strength and courage from her when things were tough. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart to the Tessa Beauchamp foundation for this scholarship, the meaning behind it was invaluable to me and the money truly helped me succeed in my goals.
Elisa Bittante
Nyah Courchesne (Heritage Woods) - 2021 Tessa Tournament Scholarship Recipient
Maezell Del Mundo (Notre Dame) - 2021 Tessa Tournament Scholarship Recipient
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Hi! I’d like to thank you for this scholarship! And I’d also like to congratulate the other winners of this scholarship. With this scholarship I hope to pursue my dream of becoming a nurse and honour Tessa’s memory. Once again thank you and good luck to everyone moving forward to post secondary! #23
Ito Ologhola (Holy Cross) 2021 Tessa Tournament Scholarship Recipient |
In my grade 12 year at Holy Cross Secondary School I was fortunate enough to be chosen for the Tessa Beauchamp Scholarship. This scholarship is helping me achieve my goals of becoming a lawyer. I have put the scholarship towards my Bachelor’s Degree of Arts in Political Science and International Relations. Obtaining a bachelors is the first step on my journey to becoming a lawyer. By becoming a lawyer I am hoping to make the world a safer place and really get the chance to make a difference. It was an honour to have received the Tessa Beauchamp scholarship and I hope the work I will do as a lawyer will positively impact the lives of others as much as Tessa Beauchamp has impacted mine.
Delani Buchen
Delani Buchen
Tessa Beauchamp’s story rings with perseverance and inspiration. In March of 2015, I was honoured to receive the Tessa Beauchamp Scholarship at the BC Catholic School’s Basketball Tournament. Receiving that award, an award that meant so much to me, at a basketball tournament was absolutely fitting. Basketball has always been a vehicle for me; providing me with countless opportunities to better myself as a person in order to become the best version of myself. Whether through volunteer opportunities or intense game situations, it has developed my leadership skills as well as my compassion. I am grateful for basketball, because was one of my greatest teachers.
At the end of my final year in high school, I made the difficult decision not to play basketball in university. It had been so closely associated with my identity as a person. While I am grateful for it, basketball does not define me. I am not simply a girl who plays basketball; I am more than that. I reflected on my years of playing, and decided that now was the time to invest in myself. So, I am now working full time at a law firm, earning the money to attend university in the fall. The meaning of the scholarship I received was not rooted in basketball. In fact, I don’t think Tessa’s purpose in life was either. I think her purpose was rooted in being the best version of herself as well. She had many obstacles to overcome, but she took them in stride while maintaining a level of grace that I strive for every day. I am not playing sports in university, but I know I will carry the legacy of Tessa with me regardless. Such an inspiring, beautiful, and amazing person’s story of strength should not be limited to athletics. It should permeate every aspect of life, and that is the message I choose to take from this scholarship. I choose to let Tessa’s story inspire me in every aspect of my life, and when I am inevitably faced with hardship, I know that what she has taught me will give me the strength to endure it.
Taylor Prescott
At the end of my final year in high school, I made the difficult decision not to play basketball in university. It had been so closely associated with my identity as a person. While I am grateful for it, basketball does not define me. I am not simply a girl who plays basketball; I am more than that. I reflected on my years of playing, and decided that now was the time to invest in myself. So, I am now working full time at a law firm, earning the money to attend university in the fall. The meaning of the scholarship I received was not rooted in basketball. In fact, I don’t think Tessa’s purpose in life was either. I think her purpose was rooted in being the best version of herself as well. She had many obstacles to overcome, but she took them in stride while maintaining a level of grace that I strive for every day. I am not playing sports in university, but I know I will carry the legacy of Tessa with me regardless. Such an inspiring, beautiful, and amazing person’s story of strength should not be limited to athletics. It should permeate every aspect of life, and that is the message I choose to take from this scholarship. I choose to let Tessa’s story inspire me in every aspect of my life, and when I am inevitably faced with hardship, I know that what she has taught me will give me the strength to endure it.
Taylor Prescott