My plan for after I achieve my Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Biology is to come home to Haida Gwaii.  Where I feel that my education will be of great use to the betterment of our ocean and community.  Over the years I have heard that there is a great need for locals to study marine biology and I hope that I will be able to fill that need.  I would like to thank the foundation and its donors once again for this incredible opportunity.

Time: 10:30 am Registration
Golf: 12 Noon Sharp – Shot Gun Start
Calloway System Tournament Rules
Cocktails and Appetizers: 5 pm
Dinner: 6:30 pm
Auction: 8:30 pm
Golf Course: Classic Club
Cost: $300 per person

Includes: Green Fees, Shared Cart, Range Privileges, Boxed Lunch, Take Away Gift,
Divot Markers, Golf Balls, Prizes, Cocktail Reception, Dinner with Kenwood Wines

75-200 Classic Club Boulevard, Palm Desert CA

Hole Sponsorship – $3,000
Hole Signage, 2 Rooms with a 2 Night Stay, Double Occupancy at the
JW Marriott in Desert Springs, Dinner Signage, Green Fees and Carts for 4,
Cocktail Reception and Dinner for 4, Program Sponsorship

RSVP: Beverley Kniffen beverley@fernandezearle.com or 604 916 7881

View PDF Invitation

In 2008 I was the fortunate recipient of the Fernandez Earle Scholarship. The past four years have been a whirlwind of incredible experiences that I never would have had the opportunity to take part in had it not been for the generous support of the Fernandez Earle Scholarship Foundation.

I recently graduated with honors from Hawaii Pacific University (HPU) receiving my Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Studies and minor in Geography. Attending school in Hawaii allowed me to gain a well-rounded education that not only focused on academics but also on the importance of understanding the cultural diversity our world has to offer. I was able to study about our environment with students from all around the world giving me a unique learning experience which included both scientific and cultural perspectives of topics such as climate change, carbon offsetting initiatives, environmental law and policy, as well as effective management of natural resources.

In addition to the knowledge I gained in the classroom, I also learned much about life. I grew as a person and have become more confident in my abilities. I am excited to take on any future endeavours that come my way and am looking forward to finding a career that I’m passionate about. It’s my hope to be able to give back to nature and society in the best ways possible. I hope to have the opportunity to work with other individuals who are intent on protecting the environment, not only through the promotion of the importance of living green and making good choices in our daily lives, but also through advocating for the proper implementation of environmental policies around the world. I hope that what I’ve learned can be shared with others and applied to make a better world for future generations. Currently I’m in Hawaii and have been accepted into HPU’s Optional Practical Training program. This program provides graduates the opportunity to stay in Hawaii for one additional year to gain valuable work experience. A new adventure begins as I start to explore various job opportunities in my field of study, hopefully finding my ‘niche’.

My hope for all students of Haida Gwaii is that they get the chance to have amazing experiences, just as I have. I encourage future generations of students to strive toward pursuing post secondary education and the many other goals they may have set their sights upon. Everything is possible!

“Be the change you wish to see in the world” – Mahatma Gandhi

To all members of the Fernandez Earle Scholarship Foundation, its kind donators, and of course to the families of Roger Earle and Kane Fernandez; it’s truly humbling to have someone put so much trust in you to succeed, and for that I am forever grateful. Thank you for all that you have done for me.

I have been blessed with such an amazing experience. I was apart of a culturally diverse university that allowed me to become more culturally aware and feel a lot more like a citizen of the world. I grew as a young girl from a small isolated community into a strong, passionate, and ambitious aboriginal woman looking forward to all of my future challenges and endeavors. The confidence that has grown through accomplishing my degree with the never wandering support I have received from my community, family, friends, and the Fernandez Earle Scholarship Foundation has opened up many doors and showed me I can do anything I set my mind to.

This scholarship is an amazing opportunity for the students of Haida Gwaii. I have seen it inspire many students to pursue a post-secondary education. The scholarship encourages all students to work harder in secondary school, they start to see all of the opportunities that are available to them. I can only hope that I will make as big of an impact on peoples’ lives as this scholarship has on mine in my career as a nurse I now feel as if the world is at my fingertips. Everything feels like it is within reach. I will forever be thankful to the Fernandez Earle Scholarship Foundation, its committee members, and generous donators.

To applicants, new recipients, and continuing students, remember that nothing is impossible.

Leigh-Ana Marks

Having this support is the reason why I will one day be able to take my career to its maximum potential, affect my community in a positive way, and take my education farther than I ever could have imagined.

To me opportunity is an open door in our lives that we can daily choose to walk through. It’s not always the “path of least resistance,” but gives us a chance to prove through hard work and determination what we are capable of.  I would like to sincerely thank all the members of the Fernandez Earle Foundation for giving me that opportunity.

Quinlan Fennell was born in Queen Charlotte City and has lived on Haida Gwaii is whole life. His Career plan is to become a registered nurse.

Quinlan stated: “I fully intend to pursue a career as a registered nurse in British Columbia. This career path will ultimately benefit the community around me by providing an essential service through a line of work which I intend to accomplish with skill and enthusiasm. I plan to return to Haida Gwaii for a period of time, if not indefinitely to work in the Queen Charlotte of Massett hospitals to benefit the communities in whatever ways I can.”

Beverley Kniffen,  Executive Director of the Foundation commented this is a very prestigious award and means a great deal to the communities in Haida Gwaii, with over 60 per cent unemployment, this opportunity may not otherwise be available to a bright and motivated young man.

Established in memory of two long-time Langara Fishing Adventure guests, the Fernandez Earle Scholarship Foundation has been providing university scholarships to deserving students from Haida Gwaii and Hawaii since 2001.

Our vision is to be a leader in strengthening isolated coastal communities by providing their future leaders with quality educational opportunities.

The Fernandez Earle Scholarship Foundation is pleased to be hosting
a get together for board members, communities members and students on
March 8 from 6 to 9 pm at the
Haida Heritage Centre at Kaay Llnagaay.

The FESF board members are on the Haida Gwaii islands to interview students for the
2012 Scholarship to Hawaii Pacific University.

Beverley Kniffen the Executive Director of the foundation was very impressed with the applications
and stated it was going to be very tough to choose a student,
they're all extremely qualified and she is proud of the applicants.

There will be a silent auction including trips, hawaii gifts and art. Light Refreshments will be served.

For inquires please e-mail Beverley at beverley@fernandezearle.com

Students applying for the 2012 HPU Scholarship:

Niisii Joy Watkins - Queen Charlotte Secondary School

Heidi Michaela - Queen Charlotte Secondary School

Norielle Bellis – George M Dawson Secondary School

Kelsey Deanne Pelton - Queen Charlotte Secondary School

Stephanie Collison - George M Dawson Secondary School

Quinlan Timothy Fennell - Queen Charlotte Secondary School