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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.
My experience attending the UBC overnight sports camp has taught me many valuable lessons about myself and what my post secondary life may be. Our on court sessions has taught me what it takes to compete at the next level and the steps that I personally need to take to get there.
When we were off the court having our meals in the dining hall or going to grab a snack helped me to make connections and find things out about new people that I just met, or people that I have played against in school or club seasons. The camp helped me make great connections with girls out of province, and we still talk here and there about how our senior year of sports are going. After dinner most days we would get free time, coaches gave us the freedom to wander campus as long as we were in groups. This freedom gave me a great experience to explore all parts of the campus and learn interesting facts and see different aspects that the campus has to offer. Me and a group of teammates went to the rose garden and watched the sunset together taking in the beautiful view.
I genuinely think that I improved as a player having the opportunity to play against and be coached by elite high level people. I found it extremely helpful that at the very end of the camp before it was time for us to get picked up, we had a chance to get to talk with the coaches. We sat with our teams for the competition day and coaches went around to all groups answering any questions we had. I liked that they did this because I learned many insights of being a university athlete. Some shared how they deal with balancing school and basketball, they also gave great tips for how to de-stress after a tough basketball game. Overall my whole experience at the UBC camp was exciting and taught me many things not only on the court but also off that I will take with me to my school season and post secondary.
There are many ways to support Brit kids. You can volunteer your time and expertise, host a fundraiser, or simply spread the word about our work! Contact us today to learn more.
Habiba Akl - recipient of Grant Hulme Bursary
Uday Al Hamdan- recipient of Jack Schreiber Bursary
Takumi Dionigi - recipient of Walter Shynkaryk Bursary
Ryley Dye-Hogan - recipient of Adele Case Bursary
Valentina Huang - recipient of John Minichiello Bursary
Jazib Jeehan - recipient of Rose -Marie Voakes Bursary
Antonio Ndolala - recipient of W.R. Vance Bursary
Rachel Oleksyn - recipient of Fred Roots Bursary
Ilia Saghaei - recipient of Mike Evans Bursary
Rheagan Thomas - recipient of Bob Fitzpatrick Bursary
Damien Tran-Pal - recipient of George Rapanos Bursary
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.
The Britannia Support Society was created in 1990s to address the inequities that face many students at Britannia Secondary School. Our goal is to create opportunities for success in all aspects of school life and beyond.
Britannia Secondary is situated on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
Penny Bickerton
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