Girl Guides of Canada

Emily Coffen
Ottawa, ON
1st Year, Math & Physical Sciences

"The support I received helped me see potential in myself to pursue the things I liked... I was fortunate to be able to participate in STEM-related activities in meetings and to go on field trips to museums, observatories, and even colleges. I was already interested in the sciences, but Guiding supported and fostered that interest.”

Kailey Clement
Calgary, AB
1st Year, Mathmatics

“Volunteering as a girl assistant isactually what made me realize just how much I enjoy hanging out with younger kids. As such, Iam happy to tell you that I am doing a combined degree in Math and Education. I would love toteach elementary school kids and give them the same incredible experiences that I myself havehad the privilege of having.”

Karen Atkinsons
Cambridge, ON
Post Grad, Data Analytics

“Receiving this scholarship affirms that I am on the right path of re-creating myself through the decision to re-enter the education field. Data Analysis for Business Decision Makers is about getting the right information to the right people at the right time in the right format, so business decisions can be made. ”

Elisabeth Walker
Saskatoon, SK
1st Year, Conservation and Restoration Ecology

“Guiding incited my passion for the outdoors by providing opportunities to explore the outdoors. Hiking and camping in all seasons at a variety of locations interested me in environmental science...Wherever my career takes me the knowledge and experience I gain will help me positively contribute to the sisterhood of guiding. ”

Jennifer Shaw
London, ON
PhD, Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies

“Guiding instilled in me a belief in the absolute necessity of equal rights for women and other marginalised people, leading me to earn a degree in women’s studies, a Master’s in women’s history, and now to my PhD. I use the knowledge and expertise gained through my education in my DEI work, allowing me to give back to the organisation that has given me so much. To quote the song, “all my life’s a circle”. ”

Michelle Brake
Wolfville, NS
Masters, Sustainability and Regenerative Sustainaibility

“Within Guiding, I was always challenged to take action for a better world and give back to my community. These experiences led me to find a love for advocacy and environmental sustainability, which I have been able to combine throughout my career and in my studies. My studies focus on the role of regenerative sustainability and associated practices in shaping our communities to meet our future needs in our ever-changing world. ”

Rachel Joyanthi Ernest-Cohen
LaSalle, QC
3rd Year, Political Science

“Perhaps as a result of my major (as well as my upbringing), I am deeply committed to the cause of women’s empowerment, particularly through education and community initiatives such as Guiding. It gives me great pleasure to broaden my intellectual horizons and develop my interpersonal skills while also acting as a mentor to young girls ”

Sophie Bezanson
New Nimas, NS
1st Year, Arts & Science in Health

“Currently, I am enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts and Science in Health program. This program provides an interdisciplinary approach to health, considering biomedicine as well as the social determinants of health. I am enjoying the program thus far, as it builds on the skills and interests I have developed throughout my Guiding journey. ”

Naomi Hammond
Bedford, NS
1st Year, Theater Arts

“I have met so many wonderful people and have been given amazing opportunities that have affected my life in ways I cannot describe. This scholarship is another example of what a blessing this program is. ”

Elsie Gillies
Halifax, NS
1st Year, Engineering (Applied Science)

“ I credit Girl Guides for helping me build the character skills and interests needed to pursue this degree. I believe my early introduction to the importance and opportunities in this field, in fun and exciting ways through challenges and badge work, formed my passion for maths and sciences”

Asia Taylor
Coaldale, AB
1st Year, Social Sciences

“I aspire to have a career that takes me all over the world, where I can meet new people and speak new languages. I plan to continue to curate the talents and skills that Guiding helped me to discover, so that I can properly understand the issues facing our world today and be part of the effort to address them. ”

Caitriona Federico
Brampton, ON
1st Year, Life Sciences

“As a woman in STEM, I strive to demonstrate my immense capability and consistently work to the best of my ability in everything I do. I know that as I continue to learn, my involvement in Girl Guides of Canada will continue to support my learning goals and provide me with incredible opportunities.”

Emily Hayes
Edmonton, AB
2nd Year, Environmental Studies

“This program is the perfect fit for me as it allows me to fulfill my passion for environmental conservation as well as solving complex social issues, things that were largely inspired by my time in Girl Guides.”

Alexandra Snider
Minesing, ON
1st Year, Information - Communication

“Through my 14 years of guiding, I have developed a love for the outdoors, discovered new skills and abilities, and grown as a person, friend, and advocate within this sisterhood. My community involvement and advocacy in Girl Guides led me to develop a passion for raising awareness and making a positive change in our society ”

Ailish McDonald
Fort McMurry, AB
Environmental Science

“I hope to share the joy and encoruagement that Girl Guides has given me. Girl Guides has shaped my world, and by giving back, my dream is to pay that forward ”

Andrea Crellin
Regina, SK
5th Year, Political Science

“I know I will be in Girl Guides for the rest of my life, and I am thankful for all the things this organization has given me and look forward to continuing to learn how to be a better leader and a better version of myself. ”

Donna Wilner
Victoria, BC
Intergrated Learning Design Associate Certificate

“Every aspect of my life has been touched by my connection with this community of like-minded women. I feel honoured to have been recognized for the volunteer work I have done by winning this scholarship. I look forward to sharing my newfound knowledge about the Adult Learner with Girl Guides of Canada. ”

Eliza Telford
Ottawa, ON
1st Year, Public Affairs and Policy Management

“My goal is to take advantage of these opportunities throughout my degree, this includes co-op positions, committee work, and mentorship placements. Within Guiding, my goal is to keep giving back to the organization that made me who I am today. I was inspired to continue in Guiding by older members who took the time to work with units. ”

Erica Bennett
Paradise, NL
2nd year, Primary Care Paramedicine

“I have had a passion for outdoor adventures and community service, which has been enhanced, through my life in Guiding. I am currently studying Primary Care Paramedicine with long term plans to complete the fire fighter program at Texas Fire Academy then High Angle Rescue. Being a first responderis my passion.”

Imaan Hussein
Edmonton, AB
3rd Year, Physiology

“When I first started out as a Girl Guide, I was a shy, young girl who did not know how totalk to people. In the past ten years, I have grown so much as a part of this amazingorganization, and have become more confident in myself and my abilities. Now, as a physiology student at theUniversity of Alberta, I am able to offer guidance to the younger girls who are just startingout and can watch them become strong, independent young women as well. I hope toinspire them to choose whichever career path interests them, whether that is in STEM, thearts, education, or otherwise.”

Kurstann Mast
Fort St. John, AB
1st Year, Journalism

“I have wanted to be a journalist since I was a little and am very excited to be pursuing my dreams. I hope to use the confidence and people skills I learned in Girl Guides to help me be successful.”

Laura Hall
Surrey, BC
1st Year, Education Assistant

“Once my program is completed, I plan to continue working towards my full teaching certificate while employed as an Education Assistant, with my final goal to become a Learning Support teacher. My years in guiding is what led me to pursue my new career in the education field. ”

Rory Jakubec
Kamloops, BC
1st Year, Public Policy and Governance

“Without the opportunities I had through guiding to meet with and see women inleadership positions, I would not have discovered my path. Through Girl Guides, I have hadmany leadership opportunities and was a member of the BC Youth Forum for two years. GirlGuides has shown me that I am able to achieve anything I put my mind to and helped me todevelop my leadership skills.”

Sara Neal
East Garafraxa, ON
Post Grad, Education

“Guiding continues to provide me with a safe place where I can pass along my knowledge and help empower young women every day! It has not always been easy to keep up with my studies, work and volunteer commitments. However, I am grateful for every second of my time in guiding.”

Casi Litte
Salt Spring Island, BC
2nd Year, UC Marketing

“I have begun looking into social media management as a possible career path to pursue when I earn my Certificate in Marketing, which I plan to complete in 2023. I will certainly continue my journey as a member of Guiding, and make an impact among young girls as my leaders did for me when I was at the same level. ”

Jamie Barrett
Quispamsis, NB
1st Year, Integrated Science

“Nothing could have better prepared me for long days in a multitude of weather conditions I have experienced in the field than the weekends I have spent camping as a Guide. Guides have given me opportunities to travel, volunteer, and now to further my education – for this, I am forever grateful.”

Jennifer Wills
Pembroke, ON
1st Year, Outdoor Adventure Naturalist

“Guiding changed my life when I was young, helping me to know that even as a girl I can be an outdoor enthusiast. My program in Outdoor Adventure Education will not only provide me with the learning I need to pursue this new career path but will also enhance the offerings I can bring to Girl Guides.”

Megan Van Buskirk
Saskatoon, SK
Masters, Environmental Education & Communication

“Because of my commitment to advancing my efforts in Saskatchewan—which is the province with Canada’s highest per-capita greenhouse gas emissions—I am now a graduate student pursuing a Master of Arts in Environmental Education and Communication through Royal Roads University.”

Ashley Barran
Dorchester, ON
1st Year, Education

“I chose to follow this career path because of the opportunities I was exposed to as a Girl Guide. Overall, these experiences have allowed me to develop a passion for working with children and a desire to help them achieve their dreams by providing them with the tools needed to succeed.”

Daisy Martin
Waterloo, ON
1st Year, Life Sciences

“I’m very interested in neuroscience, how illnesses of the brain happen, and treatment options for them, so I would love to end up doing research in that field. ”

Emily Vienneau
Ottawa, ON
1st Year, Arts & Education

“Through all my years of guiding, I learnt a lot about leadership and fun camping skills. Girl Guides helped me discover my love to lead and to go camping.”

Heather Botham
Ottawa, ON
Post Graduate, Business

“Choosing to pursue my studies part-time allows me to continue working without having to pause my career path. I’m looking forward to continuing to grow as a leader in this program and building skills to have a positive impact on the people around me and on my community from work, to Guiding, to my personal life.”

Isabella Cassano
Toronto, ON
1st Year, Humanities

“I’ve always been interested in chasing knowledge and becoming a more self-aware individual who can help raise up the voices of others around me, and in pursuing a degree in the humanities at McMaster, I’m hoping to gain a career doing just that – helping people.”

Jaiden Gomes
Mississauga, ON
1st Year, Media Information and Technoculture

“ I believe that the knowledge and experience I acquired in Girl Guides will help me to succeed in my university program. I hope to be able to use my education and experience to bring greater awareness of these important issues and help to improve the lives of those who are marginalized in our society. ”

Madeline Fenn
Brampton, ON
1st Year, French as a Second Language

“Becoming a French teacher has been my dream for as long as I can remember and Guiding has played a huge part in helping solidify my passion for teaching. I have had the opportunity to be both a Junior Leader and Unit Guider in Spark and Ember units in my hometown of Brampton and in Ottawa. These opportunities have given me the chance to practice and grow my skills with regard to working with children and creating fun, engaging activities to facilitate their learning.”

Meghan McClurg
Caledon, ON
1st Year, International Development and Globalization

“It is through my experiences with Guiding and at various World Centres that I decided I wanted to dedicate my career to helping others across the world. With my own hardwork and dedication, plus the amazing assistance of this scholarship, I am now able to pursue my dreams. ”