A Mother’s Gift: The Andrea Powell Memorial Scholarship shapes futures at Holy Trinity High

At Holy Trinity High School in Torbay, a new scholarship is doing more than easing the financial burden of post-secondary education – it’s creating a lasting bridge between a mother’s legacy and young women’s futures.

The Andrea Powell Memorial Scholarship, established following Andrea’s sudden passing in 2017, awards $10,000 to female graduates pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering, Math or other related field of education. But its origins lie in something deeper than academic support.

A Legacy of Supporting Women

“Andrea was always in the background, always there supporting,” says Jason Kelly, Andrea’s husband. “She was really passionate about young women getting ahead. That’s why we dedicated this scholarship to female students – I know that’s what she would have wanted.”

The selection process looks beyond a candidate’s academics to consider community involvement and leadership – qualities that defined Andrea’s approach to life. 

Community Rallies Together

The scholarship’s foundation began with overwhelming community support. An initial celebration of life event raised nearly $50,000, helping create the scholarship, a family room and emergency room equipment at the Health Sciences Centre’s Intensive Care Unit. Kelly’s band, Last Plaid Heroes, also continues this support through benefit concerts. “We’ve gotten tremendous support from the community of Torbay and really the Northeast Avalon,” says Kelly. “It just shows how close the community is when there’s a real need.”

Making a Difference, One Student at a Time

This year’s first recipient, Aysia Gallant, embodies the scholarship’s dual emphasis on academic achievement and community service. From fifteen applicants, a committee of school and family representatives selected Gallant based on criteria beyond academics. “It’s about congeniality, what you do for your community, whether that’s through sports, volunteerism, anything really,” Kelly explains.

For Gallant, now studying Primary Care Paramedicine at the College of the North Atlantic, the award carries both practical and personal significance. “I was shocked when my name was called,” she recalls, noting how the financial support has eased family tensions about education costs. “It means less work on my mother trying to pay for all of it,” Gallant explains. “We had this never-ending battle about me wanting to help with the costs.”

As a member of the Pouch Cove Volunteer Fire Department for nearly two years, Gallant demonstrates the kind of civic engagement that defined Andrea’s own life. Her vision extends beyond emergency response to advocating for better patient care. “I’ve always loved helping people,” she says. “I want to be a patient advocate, ensuring they get the care they need. I don’t want them to just be treated as a regular patient without making sure they’re actually okay.”

Beyond Financial Support

To honour Andrea’s memory, Gallant had her school backpack embroidered with “In Memory and Honour of Andrea Powell” – a gesture that touched the Kelly family. The connection between recipient and donors continues to grow, with Kelly sending encouragement on Gallant’s first day of classes.

The scholarship’s impact extends beyond individual recipients. At Holy Trinity High School, it has sparked increased interest in community involvement among students. The school’s guidance department has noted how the scholarship’s criteria encourage students to think beyond academics and consider their broader role in society.

Kelly and his sons keep Andrea’s memory alive through family dinners on special dates like Mother’s Day and her birthday. The scholarship represents another dimension of this remembrance. “It’s a little bit of good coming out of something horrible that happened to our family,” Kelly reflects. “We’re not just touching that one individual that’s getting the scholarship; it’s their family, too.”

Looking Ahead

The next scholarship will be awarded in 2028, coinciding with the graduation of Kelly’s younger son from Holy Trinity. While fundraising continues for the second award, Kelly acknowledges the initiative’s eventual conclusion. “We’ve done a lot over the last few years. By 2028, we’ll be 10 or 11 years into it, and that’s good. Andrea’s memory will live on.”

Through this scholarship, young women pursuing STEM education carry forward not just financial support, but the spirit of a mother who believed in their potential and the power of giving back to community.

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You can donate to the Andrea Powell Memorial Scholarship here. Learn more about how CFNL can be a partner in your generosity with our Giving Guide.