Bedford Road Collegiate In Saskatoon Receives $5,000 Scholarship To Help Empower Next Generation Of Female Leaders

The Roughrider Foundation recently teamed up with TSN sportscaster and philanthropist Kate Beirness and her charity, Her Mark, to bring the Her Mark Empowerment Summit to Saskatchewan for the first time.

The interactive summit brought together young women from across the province to meet and learn from some of Canada’s most influential and powerful leaders, such as the most decorated female figure skater in Olympic history, Tessa Virtue and Canadian professional ice hockey goalie, Shannon Szabados.

Focusing on physical and mental health, the attendees participated in fitness and nutrition stations and were provided a safe space to express their feelings and validate their experiences.

 “We are on a mission to inspire the next generation of female leaders in Canada, but we always come away from events being inspired by the participants,” said Beirness, Her Mark’s Founder and President.

“Their enthusiasm, willingness to learn and support of one another was awesome. It’s important for us as a group to try and continue to reach as many girls as possible because we want them to know anything is possible and we truly believe in them.”

In collaboration with Beirness, the Foundation was able to choose an individual or group to receive a $5,000 scholarship for students who show leadership in their schools and communities.

This year’s recipient was the group ‘B Active’ from Bedford Road Collegiate in Saskatoon.

The 11-person student-led council provides opportunities for girls at Bedford Road to participate in activities that enhance their physical and mental wellness as well as their knowledge of nutrition. Their events draw anywhere from 20 to 60 girls.

“Our mission is to provide a safe, comfortable, and fun space for the girls at Bedford to develop their holistic health,” said Emily Humbert, teacher, and co-ordinator for the B Active group.

The female-led group has monthly wellness workshops and movement meetings at which they focus on bringing community leaders in to discuss topics such as stress management, nutrition, and positive mental health. It also acts as an opportunity to bring together young women.

“Our goal is to have this council be a really good representation of the diversity of our student population at Bedford Road,” said Emily. “We’re not just looking for the athletes; we’re looking for girls who represent everyone at Bedford.”

She says it’s important for groups such as B Active to be present in schools to help reduce the barriers young women face in physical spaces.

“We know based on the stats that men are participating in more sports for longer than women so we’re really trying to address any barriers that can prevent women from achieving the same outcomes that men generally are more able to access,” said Humbert.

The $5,000 scholarship will be split with half going to a student of their choice and the other being used to keep B Active running for years to come.

“It will allow us to really help B Active run the way we envision it to,” Humbert said.

“We would like to use the money to develop our leadership with our council and really just take a group of girls who are just absolutely outstanding in so many areas and help them develop the leadership skills that they need to excel throughout the rest of their life, post high school and whatever path they take.”

Humbert said the scholarship is not only a testament to the work that the student council puts into B Active, but also of benefit as far as bettering the community.

 “I was a little bit emotional (to receive the scholarship) but It’s because of the work they’re doing and how deserving these girls are,” she said.

“To have this celebration become such a big thing for the girls and for our school, it’s just huge and we’re beyond grateful.”