2012-13Crisis Intervention & Suicide Prevention Centre of British Columbia

Rick BlightLeadership in ActionScholarship for Athletes

Information Package

MISSION

The Crisis Intervention andSuicide Prevention Centre of BC is a volunteer-driven organization committed to helping people help themselves and others deal with crisis.

BACKGROUND

Born in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba in 1955, Rick Blight had a long and varied career as an exceptional athlete, selected by the Vancouver Canucks 10th overall in the 1st round of the 1975 NHL draft.

As is often the case with high performance athletes, Rick experienced both highs and lows over his career. He was a top scorer for the Canucks during his first three years in the NHL in 1975, 1976 & 1977, leading the team in scoring in the '76-'77 season with 68 points. Rick then played in the big leagues for another three years before traveling as far away as Switzerland to prolong his career in the minors after a knee injury affected his game.
Rick retired from professional hockey in 1983 and began a career as a stockbroker before moving back to Manitoba to manage his family’s farm implement business. He was a prominent and well liked businessman in the community.

Rick never gave up his love of sports and excelled in both curling and golf. In fact, during summers off from hockey he was a top amateur golfer in both Manitoba and B.C. He won many golf tournaments and played lead for a competitive curling team that nearly won a provincial championship. Rick also continued to be involved in hockey, coaching his son's teams for a number of years.
Rick died by suicide in 2005 at the age of 49, leaving his wife and children to cherish his memory. He was very proud of his children’s accomplishments; his son is now a high school teacher and his daughter a registered nurse.

PURPOSE OF SCHOLARSHIP

In tribute to Rick’slife, the Crisis Centre is offering the Rick Blight Leadership in ActionScholarship for Athletesas a means to recognize and encourage the presence ofmental health and wellness within athletics. We recognize that athleticism has the potential to be incredibly life promoting and at the same time it can bevery competitive and may not prioritizementalhealth and wellness as much as physical health and wellness.

Specifically, the Rick Blight Scholarship recognizes athleteswho have demonstrated a dedication to leadership in their sport andhave invested in theirpersonal mental health and wellnessand/orthatof theirsports team or community.

This may be demonstrated through actions such asvisiting a mental health professional ongoing,encouragingpeers to reach out when in need, involvement in a faith community, supporting anti-stigmatizing efforts, gay-straight alliances, or community events mandated to promote mental health and wellness.

If you are a youth living on the Lower Mainland or in the Sea-to-Sky Corridor who identifies with the abovecharacteristics, we want to hear from you!

ELIGIBILITY

  • Demonstrates a dedication to their sport.
  • Is a leader in their personal mental health and wellness and/or that of their sports team or community.
  • Currently in grade 10, 11 or 12 at a Lower Mainland or Sea-to-Sky Corridor high school, or graduated from a Lower Mainland or Sea-to-Sky Corridor high school in the last year.
  • Fulfill the requirements of the application package.
  • Are not an employee or immediate family member of a Crisis Intervention & Suicide Prevention Centre of BC employee.

VALUE

The value of the award is $500, paid in one installment. The Crisis Centre may, if funding permits, also make two secondary prizes of $250 each available for runners-up.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

STEP 1 – Electronic Application Form

Candidates are asked to complete the following application form electronicallyin the Word Document provided.

The Crisis Centre supports accessibility of this scholarship to all interested candidates. If you would like to submit Section E of your Application form (Personal Statements) using a different format, such as video, please contact us for more information and to make arrangements.

STEP 2 – Email the Application Form

Once the application form is completed, please save and email it to the Crisis Centre at

STEP 3 – Mail the Application Package

a) Print a copy of your application form and send it by mail with the following documents in one envelope:

b) Candidate’s School Reference

This person can be a teacher, principal, vice principal, or guidance counselor. It is recommended that you ask someone who knows you well and who can speak of your involvement in athletics and efforts to support positive mental health. This person cannot be a relative.

Ask your reference to write you a one-page letter outlining your commitment to your sport and how you have demonstrated support for your mental health and wellness and/or that of your sports community.

The reference letter should be printed on school letterhead and signed by your reference. The letter should be sealed in an envelope and signed on the back flap. You are responsible for collecting the letter and including it with your application package. Unsigned letters will not be considered and the application will be deemed incomplete.

c) Candidate’s Community Reference

Select a person from your community. This person can be a coach, community leader, volunteer supervisor, or someone holding a position of responsibility within a community organization. It is recommended that you ask someone who knows you well and who can speak of your involvement in your sport. This person cannot be a relative.

Ask your reference to write you a one-page letter outlining your commitment to your sport and how you have demonstrated investment in your mental health and wellness and/or that of your sports community through your leadership in action.

The reference letter should be printed on agency letterhead and signed by your reference. The letter should be sealed in an envelope and signed on the back flap. You are responsible for collecting the letter and including it with your application package. Unsigned letters will not be considered and the application will be deemed incomplete.

Submit only the materials requested. Do not submit more than two reference letters.

Completed application packages should bepostmarked no later than Friday, March 15th, 2013at 4pm andmailed to:

Crisis Intervention & Suicide Prevention Centre of BC

c/o Rick BlightLeadership in ActionScholarship for Athletes

763 East Broadway

Vancouver, BC

V5T 1X8

Incomplete and late applications will not be accepted. We are not responsible for applications that are lost during delivery.

Make sure you have:

EMAILED:

  • Crisis Intervention & Suicide Prevention Centre of BC Rick BlightLeadership in ActionScholarship for Athletes Application form Sections A – E completed.

MAILED:

  • Crisis Intervention & Suicide Prevention Centre of BC Rick BlightLeadership in ActionScholarship for Athletes Application form Sections A – E completed.
  • Candidate’s School Reference in sealed and signed envelope.
  • Candidate’s Community Reference in sealed and signed envelope.

Important Dates

  • Entry Deadline – Completed applications must be postmarked no later than Friday, March 15th, 2013to be considered
  • Final Award recipient will be announced Friday,April 26th, 2013

You will be emailed a confirmation of receipt of your application.

* PLEASE NOTE: Award recipient(s) will be invited to the Crisis Centre’s Annual General Meeting Wednesday, May 1st, 2013.

Questions

Questions regarding the Crisis Intervention & Suicide Prevention Centre of BC Rick Blight Scholarship should be directed by email

Best wisheswith your sport and your continued health and wellness!

“I will not judge. I will have compassion. I will reach out, listen, talk, help and find help. My name is Kevin Bieksa I will not stay silent.”

- Vancouver Canuck Kevin Bieksa speaking out to support mental health

2012-13 Crisis Intervention & Suicide Prevention Centre of BC

Rick BlightLeadership in ActionScholarship for Athletes Application

Section A: Personal Information
Surname / First Name / Middle Name
Gender / Date of Birth
Status in Canada:
____Canadian Citizen ___ Permanent Resident (Landed Immigrant)
Street Address
City / Province/Territory / Postal Code
Telephone Number / Email Address
How did you find out about this scholarship? (Please check all that apply)
__Guidance Counsellor / __Teacher(s) / __Internet
__Community Organization / __Publication / __Poster
__ Friend / __Mailing List / __Other
Section B: Academic Information
CurrentSecondary School / Graduation Date
Street Address / City
Province / Postal Code / Telephone Number
List other secondary schools/junior colleges you have attended starting with the most recent:
School / Location / Date of attendance
List in order of preference the post-secondary institutions, technical schools or colleges you may have applied to or have enrolled in:
Institution / Location / Program / Status (Intend to Apply, Applied, Accepted or Enrolled)
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
List three careers you are considering, in order of preference, and briefly describe why. Please indicate if you are uncertain.
Career / Reason for Interest in this Career
1)
2)
3)
Section C: Community Service and Volunteer Activities
Please describe your community involvement (i.e. outside of school) starting with the most recent experience
Activity/ Organization / Responsibilities / Position or Office Held / Dates
List any awards you have received for community involvement and service, athletics, or academics.
Award / Date award received
Section D: Hobbies and Interests
Please describe additional hobbies and interest you have.
Section E: Personal Statements
Please do not exceed the suggested word count for each question.
  1. Tell us about why you are involved in sport and what it means to you. (max. 3000 characters, including spaces)

  1. Tell us about how you look after your personal mental health and wellness, or what you would like to begin to do to make this a priority. (max. 3000 characters, including spaces)

  1. Tell us about any contributions you have made in leadership or community service to support mental health and wellness within your sports team or community.(max. 3000 characters, including spaces)

  1. How will this scholarship help you achieve your future goals and what makes you the most deserving candidate for the scholarship? Financial need will be taken into consideration, so please indicate (if you choose) to what extent this ought to be considered. (max. 3000 characters, including spaces)

End of Application

To ensure your application is considered, see page 3-5for details.

Please ensure you email this application form to , and mail a hard copy with the components of the application package.

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