Express give $5k to Centennial, SD43 for new post-secondary scholarships

The season may be over, but the Coquitlam Express are not done handing out assists. 

On Tuesday, the Express announced that they were donating $5,000 to Centennial Secondary School and School District 43 to create scholarships for students looking to attend post-secondary institutions. 

“Education is a key priority for us,” stated Tali Campbell, general manager and chief operating officer of the Express, in a press release. “We believe that every student should have the opportunity to pursue their academic goals regardless of financial barriers.”

The Express will continue to donate $5,000 to the school and district annually, Campbell explained in a follow up email to The Dispatch. 

The scholarships will be awarded to students in need of financial assistance. Students must prove a high level of academics, leadership qualities and community commitment to qualify for an award. 

Three scholarships with funding starting at $1,500 will be up for grabs, Campbell noted. Students will be able to apply for the program throughout the school year. 

Manjit Rai, principal of Centennial, accepted the donation on behalf of the school and said it would play a massive role for students looking for places to study after high school.

“This donation will make a significant impact on the lives of our students and provide them with the support they need in their academic endeavors,” Rai wrote in a statement. 

The Express finished sixth in the BCHL’s Coastal Conference in the 2023/24 regular season, amassing 21 wins and 46 points in 54 games. They lost in the opening round of the playoffs in seven games to the third-seeded Alberni Valley Bulldogs last month. 

The team will hit the ice for the 2024/25 season in the fall.