The Unbreakable Bursary
Honouring resilience. Supporting the next generation.
Purpose & Dedication
In honour of all of the incredible souls who were taken from us so tragically in 2020 — but especially of my friend, and a friend to many, the fierce, kind, and beautiful Gina Goulet.
As promised when I published We Are Unbreakable, I award a bursary each year to a graduating female student from rural Nova Scotia who is pursuing post-secondary education. This bursary is part of the legacy we are building in memory of those we lost.
About We Are Unbreakable
We Are Unbreakable: Raw, Real Stories of Resilience is a collection of authentic and inspiring stories about the unprecedented year of 2020, written by 22 incredible women who call Nova Scotia home. In these stories you will find examples of struggle, strength, togetherness, and — mostly — of resilience, as these remarkable women share their experiences of living, working, running businesses, and parenting through a global pandemic, along with a year of horrific tragedies that rocked the entire province. Twenty-two contributors is of special significance: that is the number of innocent and beautiful souls taken from us so tragically in April 2020 in the worst mass shooting in Canadian history. We will remember them. We will honour them. And we will build a legacy in their memory.
Eligibility
Preference is given to a student from Colchester County, East Hants, or the Musquodoboit Valley who has overcome adversity and barriers to pursue their education, and who demonstrates the qualities of resiliency and strength captured in the pages of We Are Unbreakable.
- Graduating female student from rural Nova Scotia
- Pursuing post-secondary education
- Preference given to students from Colchester County, East Hants, or the Musquodoboit Valley
- Has overcome adversity and barriers in pursuit of education
- Demonstrates resilience and strength
Application Status
Applications for 2026 are closed.
The information below is provided as reference for future cycles.
How to Apply
Students are asked to write a letter (preferably saved as a PDF) explaining why they feel they are deserving of this award.
Alternatively, a teacher or school staff member may nominate a student by sending a letter indicating why they feel the student is deserving.
Submissions must be sent by email to Hello@KarenDeanSpeaks.com with the subject line "Bursary Application" and must include the following:
- Full name
- Mailing address
- Email address
- Post-secondary institution you will be attending
- High school you are graduating from
- Answer to: Do you agree to have Karen Dean Inc. use your name and picture on social media?
Annual deadline: May 15 (annual deadline — check back for the next cycle)
Bursary Recipients — The Unbreakable Legacy
2026
Jessy Peters and Erin Nicholson
Hants East Rural High School
2025
Ryann Perrin
South Colchester Academy
2024
Breanna Gilby
Hants East Rural High School
2023
Sammy Tracey
South Colchester Academy