August 2025 trip to Belize
(Aug 20th to Aug 24th, 2025)
Five members of the BEP Scholarship Team, Bob Anderson, Shari Griffin, Pat Kimmel, Rebecca Knight, and Peter Ruzicka, visited Belize from August 20 – August 24. Before the dawn of our travel day, 7 hefty duffel bags plus 4 big suitcases carrying backpacks loaded with school supplies were checked in at DIA. This school year BEP awarded a record number of 22 scholarships bringing our total number of active high school scholars to 67.
On the road from Belize City to San Ignacio, with Peter at the helm of the BEP mobile, we made a stop at Valley of Peace SDA High School (37 miles northwest of Belmopan) to meet with Jessica Valdez, vice principal and former BEP scholar. Enthusiastic students made a delightful presentation sharing their dream to start a school library, followed by a campus tour. Discussions on how BEP will support their plan are ongoing.
The next morning, BEP welcomed the elementary school principals and vice principals to a "thank you" breakfast, which was lively and full of student stories. Registration for Form 1& 2 students at Eden High School followed breakfast. Thanks to the creative planning of BEP team member Donna Duffy and Miss Sherilyn Flowers (VP of Eden SDA High School), the team and several graduate BEP scholars manned stations; handing out packets, taking photos, delivering backpacks, uniforms and books. It was extremely effective, efficient, and created an opportunity to connect with students and parents. Following registration, the team met with the Eden administration who shared that Eden High will have a Career Day focused on the trades, employment skills, job outlook as well as college scholarship opportunities. Eden also voiced a desire to strengthen their electives by adding pianos, sewing supplies, computers, sports equipment, etc. The team will continue discussing how BEP will support those objectives.
The team and Clarita Valdez (principal of Bullet Tree Elementary) visited the home of the delightful Suazo Family where backpacks and school supplies provided by Shari Griffin were distributed to the 5 Suazo children. Christmas in August! The gratitude and joy showed by this dear family was touching. Ms. Valdez then showed us her school's expanded horticulture project followed by a fabulous meal at Yu Jia Dumplings Restaurant, owned by the Landero Family with the gracious hostess, Mrs. Trinidad, the parent of 3 BEP scholars.
Registration for Forms 3 & 4 followed the next morning with the same smoothness and updates with students and families. The remainder of the visit included a shopping trip to purchase art supplies for Eden High, a trip to the Cayo Centre for Employment Training to secure a vocational program for a BEP grad, a hike to the Xunantunich Mayan Ruins, and a tour of the AJAW chocolate factory.
Finally, there was no better way to end our productive and awe-inspiring trip than a dinner with our BEP Ambassadors: Jessica Pop, Viriany Pop, Janin Alcoser, Tamar Alcoser, Kevin Amaya, Xande Gonzalez, and Owen Manzanaro, all former Eden HS BEP scholars who we have continued to support as they pursue their studies in college and beyond. It was an especially exciting evening as we bid farewell to Janin Alcoser who earned a full scholarship to study physical therapy in Debrecen, Hungary.
Until our next visit, kudos to all the committed staff, students and parents at Eden SDA High School and especially to our gracious sponsors. We couldn't do this uplifting and fulfilling work without every one of you!
Congratulations 2025-26 Scholarship Recipients!
(June, 2025)
In May, the BEP Board and Scholarship Team completed the process of collecting and reviewing scholarship applications for the 2025-26 school year and beyond. We had a record number of applicants this year and are delighted to announce the largest class of BEP scholars ever!
Our congratulations go to the following students and their families:
Aidan Landero, Angela Moreno, Angele Cowo, Angelie Rajo, Auzni Gonzalez, Brennan Meighan, Cristian Vega, Demian Landero, Dylan Suarez, Ever Cruz, Ismael Rajo, Israel Landero, Karimi Peters, Kayla Garcia, Kayvelyn Leslie, Kimaya Reid, Keisy Pacheco, Milagros Requena, Perla Salas, Seth Sainsbury, Yossi Aguilar, and Samantha Teck.
Each of these students has been paired with a BEP sponsor who will support them with tuition and fees, encouragement and communication. We are excited to accompany these admirable students on their 4-year academic journey. Welcome!
Congratulations 2025 BEP Graduates!
(May, 2025)
Nine BEP scholars completed their 4-year high school journey and graduated this year. Through ups and downs, they persevered, maintained high grades and accomplished a life goal. We congratulate these students and their families on this notable milestone! The 2025 graduates are:
Aaden Edwards, Cristy Manzanero, Diana Aban, Diandra Lanza, Julian Suarez, Kajaydah Casimiro, Mishael Cuc, Pricila Barrera, and Selvin Requena.
February 2025 trip to Belize + EHS Science Fair
(Feb 9th to Feb 13th, 2025)
Go to the GALLERY section to see the pictures from this trip.
In February, four members of the Scholarship Team, Bob, Pat, Rebecca and Peter, traveled to Belize for five
days. We were joined by Sara Fry, a fellow BEP sponsor, and also by her husband Beau.
Our team attended the Eden High School Science Fair. Rebecca Knight and Peter Ruzicka each gave a short speech to the student body about the importance of science and science education. BEP scholarship team members then served as judges for the fair, and WOW! did these students knock our socks off! A miniature hydroelectric dam, a demonstration of hydrogen combustion, detailed anatomic diagrams, numerous extremely creative models of the solar system and many other physics, chemistry, and biology related projects made for stiff competition.
The top entries in the fair were awarded prizes from BEP, including books, microscopes and slides, binoculars, and chemistry sets. Mary Ann and Rick Hunton, generous BEP sponsors and supporters, kindly donated a fantastic telescope which we presented to the school. The students and staff were very excited at the opportunity to view the night sky in more depth. BEP also donated materials and supplies to the science department, including posters, chemicals, microscope slides, and teaching materials. It was a wonderful celebration of science and a great demonstration of how much these students value their education. The BEP Scholarship Team plans to support a different Eden High School fair each year.
October 2024 trip to Belize
(Oct 5th to Oct 9th, 2024)
Please click here to see the pictures from this trip.
In October, three members of the Scholarship Team, Donna, Rebecca and Peter, traveled to Belize for five
days. We delivered 500 pounds of school supplies, including a fully loaded backpack for each of our
student scholars.
We were able to meet with all of our students during their extended lunch periods. It's
always interesting meeting our newest scholars (so shy!) and visiting with the older students about their
school experiences and family life. They openly talk about how much this scholarship means to them and
what a lifelong difference it will make in their lives and their family's lives.
We also had the pleasure of
visiting with a small group of parents who gratefully told us that without your support, many of these
students would end their formal education at age 13-14. Your generosity is truly changing lives.
In addition to visiting with our scholarship students, we interact with the school at large as well. We
delivered office and classroom supplies, such as dry erase marker sets and printer ink, which will benefit
all of Eden HS. Although not teachers, Rebecca and Peter have spent time in the science labs, giving
lessons in biology and nuclear physics. Collaborating with teachers helps guide the BEP Scholarship Team in
allotting funds to department needs, elevating the education experience for the entire school.
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