Empowering Communities & Changing lives. Meet Rassell Labash Class of 2024
My name is Rassell Labash, and I graduated from Britannia Secondary this past June. Currently, I’m in my first year at Simon Fraser University. I love to bake and decorate cakes and go biking around my neighbourhood!
I’m in my first year of a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University, where I'm considering a concentration in either Life Sciences or Public Health and Data. My goal is to find the perfect blend of science and community health, particularly in fields where I can have a direct impact on people’s well-being.
I felt so lost when I first moved to Canada but when I moved to Strathcona, everything changed. There, I finally felt a sense of belonging that helped me gain confidence and purpose. Since then, I have developed a deep passion for my community and I do everything I can to give back to it. I knew I wanted a career that combines both sciences and my passion for community, but it was not easy. I came to the conclusion of going into family or children’s medicine, where I am still able to form connections and help my community through science.
Throughout high school several teachers shaped me into the person I am today. Ms. Hannah Sugar, my grade 8 math teacher, was the reason I loved high school from the start. The reason I fell in love with STEM is because of Mr. Sammy Scorda and Ms. Yulanda Ng. Ms. Ng’s biology classes, in particular, are why I am pursuing a degree in biology!
In the future, I want to attend medical school and become a doctor. Specifically, I want to become a pediatrician and specialize in youth mental health. My goal is to start my own youth mental health organization, that not only raises awareness but to be a free resource to help youth access the support they need.
About Britannia Support
It is with tremendous gratitude for all of his many years of service to the BSS, that we say farewell to Eddy Teranishi who is stepping down from the board.
Eddy has been on the board from the very beginning, when John Minichiello first came up with the idea to create a group of staff and alumni that would raise money in support of Britannia students and their extracurricular pursuits.
Along with Glan Hara, Stan Wong, Stu Jordan, Larry Prentice, Willy Quan, Jennifer Ju, Michal Kwan, Frank Sam, Paul Sawyer, Brenda Wong, Amy Pon, Enzo Guerierro, to name a few, Britannia Secondary alumni have demonstrated that they understand the importance of the work of the BSS, dedicating countless hours to the board.
But to be the Treasurer for all those years is above and beyond! Our new board member Mitra Tshan has very large shoes to fill.
Eddy is retiring from the board but not completely from his accounting firm. His son has joined him in the business. This will give Eddy the time to go to Arizona with his wife Ann and to enjoy his son and two daughters and his seven granddaughters!
Thank you Eddy. Your contribution and hours dedicated to BSS are immeasurable. The tax receipt is in the mail. 😉.
We will miss you.
About Britannia Support
Our Mission
At Britannia Support, we are dedicated to improving the lives of those in need by providing essential resources and support. Our mission is to make a positive impact in our community and beyond.
“Remember no one is never on their own. Reach out a hand and someone will help you. Asking is sometimes all it takes. COVID has been hard on all of us. We are here to help!”
Penny Bickerton
Britannia Support - Building a Better Future
Britannia Support - Fighting for a better world
Recently over twenty Britannia students took part in Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week. The students worked hard behind the scenes to make sure the event was a success and they also walked the runway at the Queen Elizabeth theatre in clothes they created.
Congratulations to all involved!
https://www.createastir.ca/articles/joleen-mitton-vancouver-indigenous-fashion-week-2024
At Britannia Support, we are committed to creating a world where every person has access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive. From advocating for policy change to supporting grassroots movements, we work tirelessly to create a more just and equitable society. Join us in our fight for a better world.
Britannia Excellence
North American Indigenous Games Champs!
North American Indigenous Games Champs!
The North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) help Indigenous athletes realize the collective potential of our bodies, minds, spirit and of our people – our hopes and dreams – the spirit strong, brave and true.
The Games brought together 756 Indigenous Nations and over 5000 athletes to celebrate, share and reconnect through sport and culture in Kjipuktuk (Halifax), Dartmouth and Millbrook First Nation.
GOLD U16 Soccer - Tessa Scarlett-Charleson BRONZE U16 BASKETBALL Kailani Austin Taegan Lee
and coach and mentor Mitra Tshan !!
Street2Peak 2023 - Gros Morne, Newfoundland
Things that are hard are good. Lessons learned struggling makes for profound memories. Discomfort is temporary. Being tired is entirely relative. Mud up to your waist can be overcome. Relentless bugs are real but they too fade. Carrying a 35 pound pack is initially unbearably heavy but when you stop for the night, 9 hours later, you not only held that weight, you navigated incredible terrain to do so and you can smile about it, with your friends.
We continued with our Street2Peak Project which brings inner-city students on incredible adventures around the world. Kilimanjaro and the Serengeti in 2015, Patagonia in 2017, New Zealand in 2019 and now, maybe our most challenging and definitely our most rigorous, the Long Range Traverse in the incredible national park of Gros Morne, Newfoundland. What we experienced was beyond what we expected in terms of beauty, grandness, challenge and perseverance. It offered a commitment that students are rarely asked to meet. It required a team to succeed. You had to have faith and trust that things would work out. You had to believe that you are capable and that your effort will offer a reward. The reward is scars. The reward is aching bodies. The reward is wolfing down as many calories as you can. The reward is knowing you didn't give up. The reward is knowing someone was there to help you if you faltered. The reward was laughing in a place you never dreamed you'd visit.
Incredible. Magical. Powerful.
Thanks to Trevor Stokes for his beautiful words and Barry Skillin for the incredible photography.
Britannia Secondary
