News/Events

Scholarship Foundation of the Pacific Recent News

2025 Langara Fishing Lodge Invitational

April 22, 2025SSC Administrator

2025 LANGARA FISHING LODGE INVITATIONAL

October 05, 2023SSC Administrator

The Scholarship Foundation of the Pacific is please to announce two new Board of Directors:

Jacob Bourne

My connection to the Scholarship Foundations of the Pacific goes back many years, I've been attending their annual fishing fundraising event at Langara Fishing Lodge since I was ten years old. Over the years, this experience has introduced me to incredible individuals from all corners of the globe who share an unwavering passion for Haida Gwaii. These encounters have not only enriched my understanding of the region but have also instilled in me a deep love for its people and culture.

The Scholarship Foundations of the Pacific has made an indelible mark on the community, particularly through its commitment to education. Witnessing the positive impact they have had on the lives of young people in Haida Gwaii has been truly inspiring. Seeing the difference the foundation made at such a young age inspired me to strive high in my own education, as I now pursue a degree in geography and a masters in business management. By educating those who call Haida Gwaii home, I believe we ensure a brighter future, as each year, more and more leaders of the community are created by the Scholarship Foundation of the Pacific. For me, joining the Foundation's board is a meaningful way to give back to the place that has shaped my own life so profoundly.

SuZ Lopez

Suz was born in Trinidad and Tobago, and relocated to Vancouver, BC in 1969. She grew up in Kitsilano and graduated from Prince of Wales High School in 1983. Suz was the school Vice President and also was awarded most outstanding girl on graduation night. She then went to UBC for a year before deciding to work in the restaurant business. Cafe Madeleine on 10th Ave was her passion and how she got started in the restaurant hospitality business. She then worked as a cook at Bridges Restaurant on Granville Island and the Prow at Canada Place during Expo 86. It was at the Prow that she decided to switch over from cooking to pastries and had the honor of being trained by a very skilled Pastry Chef from Switzerland. After the Prow she worked at Pan Pacific Hotel in the pastry department and then becoming the Pastry Chef at the infamous Cannery Seafood Restaurant. After her stint there she went back to her beginnings at Bridges restaurant as the pastry chef. She left Bridges in 1991 to work at Langara Fishing Lodge and the rest is history. Starting off as pastry chef for 7 years then moving into sales, assistant lodge manager, guest services manager and food and beverage manager. Suz’s passion for food and wine has led her to take two levels of wine training with WSET as well as one level with International Sommelier Guild. Her passion for fishing has kept her with Langara Fishing Adventures for 33 seasons. When she is not working her hobbies include fishing, wine tasting, cooking and playing poker.

The Scholarship Foundation of the Pacific is pleased to have Suz join our Board of Directors with her wealth of knowledge.

2024 Fishing Invitational

September 25, 2023SSC Administrator

LANGARA FISHING LODGE INVITATIONAL

AUGUST 6-10, 2024

Irv Ridd - March 21, 1940 - January 31, 2023

April 25, 2023SSC Administrator

Scholarship Foundation of the Pacific Endowment – Irv Ridd Memorial

On January 31st, 2023 we lost someone very near and dear to the Scholarship Foundation of the Pacific, one of our founders, Irv Ridd.

Irv's friends, family, and colleagues are invited to join together to raise funds for the Scholarship Foundation of the Pacific Endowment at SFU. Each fall, the endowment supports an entrance award for an outstanding Haida Gwaii high school student. Irv was a tireless advocate for the Scholarship and your gift will honour his many years of dedication and service to the cause.

With your support, you’ll ensure that an entrance award is available for an outstanding Haida Gwaii high school student entering SFU each fall.

Give to the SFU IRV RIDD ENDOWMENT FUND

Irv Ridd - March 21, 1940 - January 31, 2023

Announcing Our New Student Liaison

January 11, 2023SSC Administrator

We are proud to announce the addition of former SFotP Scholarship recipient Rhea Botel as our new student liaison!

Rhea Botel was the recipient of the Scholarship in 2014, when the scholarship was still sending students to Hawaii. She spent 4 years enjoying life in Honolulu, and completed her Bachelor of Elementary Education, graduating with honors in 2018. Following graduation, Rhea spent some additional time in the US, before eventually heading back to Haida Gwaii to work at West Coast Fishing Club in the summer of 2019. While she had only intended to spend the summer working on Haida Gwaii, COVID led her back home for a more permanent stay. Upon moving home full time, Rhea took on the position of K-2 teacher at Living & Learning School in Daajing Giids. She worked there for two wonderful years, before moving into her current position as Marine Engagement Coordinator for the Council of the Haida Nation.

Having been a recipient of the scholarship and a teacher, Rhea has now decided to take on the role of Student Liaison for the Scholarship Foundation of the Pacific. She hopes that through this position, she can inform the youth of the amazing opportunity that this scholarship provides, and support them in pursuing this opportunity.