2025 LBN Scholarship Recipients
Sophie Lin ($500)
Sophie recently graduated from high school and is going to the University of British Columbia (UBC) to pursue a Bachelor of Commerce, specializing in accounting. Although math is surprisingly one of her least favourite subjects (and looking at too many numbers can sometimes give her a headache), she loves the responsibility that comes with accounting, since the financial data accountants organize helps show a business’ health and future. She hopes to use her future CPA designation to support both for-profit and nonprofit organizations, having seen through LBN’s Community Building Club how important accounting and similar roles are to their success. Beyond her love for business and investing, Sophie is writing a fantasy novel set in ancient China and enjoys teaching children subjects like reading, investing, and economics. She hopes to continue supporting education through her role as a Coordinator at LBN.
Bernard Lam ($200)
I’ve been volunteering with Learning Buddies Network since grade 10, starting as a reading mentor. After that, I became a Program Coordinator and later an Executive Coordinator. During my time as Executive Coordinator, I also led the Recruitment and Engagement Team, helping bring in new mentors. Being part of LBN has helped me build confidence, grow as a leader, and learn how to problem solve under pressure.
This fall, I’ll be starting at UBC in the Faculty of Science, and I’m interested in going into pharmacy or nutrition. I’m really thankful for everything LBN has given me, from the skills I’ve gained to the people I’ve met!. Receiving the LBN 2025 Scholarship is an honour, and I’m grateful to everyone at LBN who made this experience so meaningful and helped shape who I am today.
Frances Kan ($200)
I started volunteering with Learning Buddies Network in 2022 as an On-Call Reading Mentor and later became a Reading Program Coordinator.
Volunteering with LBN showed me how meaningful it is to support children in their developmental years. Seeing my buddies gain reading skills and confidence made me realize how much I enjoy helping kids, which inspired my interest in pursuing pediatric speech-language pathology in the future. I’m currently majoring in Psychology at SFU, volunteering at a speech pathology clinic, serving as Secretary and Events Coordinator of the Speech and Hearing Club, and working as a behavioural interventionist. These roles build on the skills and experiences I gained through LBN. I’m so grateful for the kids I’ve supported, for my Executive Coordinator, Carmen, for the incredible teams I’ve worked with, and for the LBN executive team, who have always been so kind, supportive, and encouraging throughout my journey.
Persia Abadi ($500)
I started volunteering as an online Reading Mentor with Learning Buddies in Grade 11, and have since volunteered as a PC and an EC in both in-person and online pods. I will be attending the University of Victoria this September to study Psychology. Learning Buddies Network has helped me grow so much as a person and has helped me develop skills such as leadership, communication, and organization that have continued to help me in my personal and academic life. LBN has been nothing but welcoming, and I am grateful to receive this scholarship and for everything I have learned during my two years with this organization. I look forward to continuing to volunteer with LBN in the future!
Megan Zhang ($200)
Megan has been a part of Learning Buddies Network since 2022, starting out as a Reading Buddies Volunteer in the Summer Term. Since then, she has taken on more leadership positions within the organization, having volunteered as a Reading Buddies Program Coordinator and Executive Coordinator. Today, her involvement in LBN lies more in behind-the-scenes work, where she currently holds a position as a Blogs Team Lead in the Communications Team and as an IT Systems Support Assistant. Megan's values align closely with LBN's mission of providing accessible and free education, and she has witnessed the immense impact mentorship has on both mentors and mentees. She looks forward to continuing her time at LBN, and further developing her leadership, communication, and collaborative skills.
She is entering her first year at the University of British Columbia for a Bachelor's Degree in the Faculty of Science, with hopes of pursuing Computer Science in the future. Inspired by LBN's mission, she ultimately aims to develop technological applications to bridge inequality gaps in economic, social, and environmental sectors. Megan is honoured to have been selected as a 2025 LBN Scholarship Recipient, and is committed to creating a meaningful impact on the world, similar to the one LBN had on her.
