Empowering Tomorrow ’ s Leaders Today
students achieve their goals and reach their full potential .
The Circle of Excellence program runs from October to May . In June , the students from the Circle will be selected to receive scholarships of $ 1,500 each and bursaries of $ 500 each to further their academic careers . Sixteen students will receive scholarships and bursaries totalling $ 18,000 . A graduation ceremony to hand out the scholarships is held with community members , mentors , parents , and school officials in attendance .
Organized by Playmas Montreal Cultural Association , the Gem * Star Circle of Excellence Program is the brainchild of Gemma Raeburn- Baynes , President of Playmas Montreal and a longtime BMO Bank of Montreal employee . Part of Playmas Montreal ’ s mandate is to assist deserving high performing Black high school students in achieving their dreams by facilitating their pursuit of higher education through scholarship awards of $ 1,500 each . BMO Bank of Montreal has agreed to finance the Gem * Star Scholarship Program , as a sponsor , under the auspices of the Bank ’ s Black Entrepreneurs Program . Other sponsors include Groupe 3737 , Baylis Medical Tech ,
The Gloria Baylis Foundation , Ian & Vera Memorial Fund , and other individual donors .
The administrations and guidance counsellors at high schools on the island of Montreal nominate three eligible Black students for consideration to be a part of the Gem * Star Circle of Excellence in the hope of winning one of the Scholarships at the end of the school year . These student members of the Circle of Excellence have the opportunity to connect with experienced professional mentors who guide them through their academic and career journeys . The Mentors also provide support , advice , and encouragement to help
In addition to one-on-one mentoring , the Gem * Star Circle of Excellence program offers a variety of workshops and events designed to help students develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in today ’ s world . From networking events to career development workshops , the GCOE provides students with the resources they need to build successful careers and positively impact their communities .
At GEM * STAR CIRCLE OF EXCELLENCE , we are passionate about shaping the minds of the future and building strong communities . Our team is driven by a strong belief in academics and the furthering of our community through the use of scholarships and mentorship .
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