rising stars
Since 2005, the Prince Rupert and District Chamber of Commerce has partnered with Coast Mountain College (CMTN) and Charles Hayes Senior Secondary (CHSS) to offer a unique mentoring program to local students called Rising Stars. In 2013, the city’s Chamber of Commerce was recognized as “BC Chamber of the Year” for connecting and growing its economy, most notably through business mentorships. The Rising Stars values are inclusivity, constant improvement, community, and excellence.
Students are matched with Chamber members who have volunteered to become mentors. Mentors and the Chamber introduce students to the local world of business. This valuable networking opportunity supports students’ growth professionally and personally, ultimately gaining valuable business contacts and developing self-confidence. Students gain a clear understanding of the viable options for establishing careers or starting a business without leaving the North Coast or for returning after completing post-secondary education elsewhere.
Through the generous support of donors, the CMTN Foundation and the Chamber are able to offer the Rising Stars Award to four students who have successfully completed the Rising Stars program. The CMTN Foundation will award $500 to two recipients, and the Chamber will award $500 to two recipients
2025 RECIPIENTS
Congratulations to 2025’s recipients of the Rising Stars Award, Kodina Anaka, Karen Banitsi, and Adeniyi Adeleye!
The Rising Stars Bursary Program is a partnership with the Prince Rupert & District Chamber of Commerce and the CMTN Foundation.
This program matches students with Chamber members, who then introduce students to the local world of business. This networking opportunity supports students’ professional and personal growth and helping students develop self-confidence in business. Each student who complete the program is awarded a $500 bursary.
CRITERIA
To be eligible to receive the $500 portion of the Rising Stars Award issued by the CMTN Foundation, the recipients must be:
Attending an institution connected to the Rising Stars program: enrolled in part-time or full-time studies at CMC during the time of the Rising Stars program; or a CHSS student intending to attend CMC within two years of receiving the award (money will be disbursed upon confirmation of enrollment at CMC).
Students must submit a professional resume and one-page personal goals essay.
A permanent resident of Canada
Selected by the Rising Stars Committee as the award recipient
DEADLINE NOVEMBER 21, 2025
CONTACT: kfarrell@coastmountaincollege.ca
OPPORTUNITIES
Students collaborate with mentors on real-world projects that increase skills and experience, providing powerful advantages in post-secondary education and future careers.
Experienced business professionals are paired with students to help them realize leadership potential and sharpen their entrepreneurial capabilities.
From rich brand exposure to hands-on program influence, Rising Stars offers sponsors many ways to support the mentorship program and strengthen Prince Rupert’s business community.
TESTIMONIALS
ALUMNI
It was a very valuable experience. My eyes were opened up to new opportunities. I hope to go full circle and come back and participate again one day, this time as a mentor.
- Kaeleen Foote, Rising Star Class of 2008
Rising Stars really helped. It made me feel comfortable in a business environment.
- Francis Eli, Rising Star Class of 2008
With her inspiration, my mentor and I collaborated together to make the International Trade Challenge a reality. This real life application has allowed me to experience business relations first hand. I contributed to the project by creating promotional material, recruiting community participants, and I am currently working to complete the trade transaction with a group. Many of the networking and communications skills I practiced during Rising Stars functions have helped in the success of this investigative project.
- Alexandra van Vianen, Rising Star Class of 2009
When I was first told about the Rising Stars Program, my first impressions were: “Free lunches” and “A chance to learn about business”. After a couple events, I discovered it was so much more. This program truly is a networking opportunity; I learned many valuable things from not just the mentors, but many of the people involved in the Prince Rupert Chamber. This program has helped me build and refine many traits that I can find myself using in not just business, but in my regular every-day life, especially with interaction and public speaking.
- Kevin Paterson, Rising Star Class of 2009
Within my first month I felt a substantial increase of knowledge and confidence that then went on in assisting me with my classes. Some skills that I’ve learned range from properly introducing myself, being an active listener, how to ask for information, and exchanging business cards.
- Amanda Neal, Rising Star Class of 2012
The Rising Star program proved to be much more than I expected. I was able to accomplish what I had first set out to do; make connections and begin the life-long task of networking but also so much more. I owe much of my success in this program to my mentor. The luncheons and socials provided excellent opportunities to network; and proved to be a source of information regarding issues and opportunities currently facing Prince Rupert. I particularly enjoyed listening to the guest speakers at the luncheons. I found each presentation interesting and informative. With this new information, I realized there was an entire side of Prince Rupert I hadn’t been seeing; that being the business side run by dedicated Rupertites who are committed to making Prince Rupert a successful community. These people compose the very back bone of our community. This program truly opened my eyes to a whole new Prince Rupert that I now feel prepared to go out and explore and become involved in.
- Emily Rudderham, Rising Star Class of 2011
One of the lessons I have learned through this one-of-a-kind experience is that you are never too young to begin thinking from a business perspective. It means thinking critically, carefully evaluating options, and moving aggressively to seize opportunities.
- Lucas Statham, Rising Star Class of 2012
MENTORS
The Rising Stars program is an amazing program that I have enjoyed in two different ways. First was being mentored as a student at NWCC. It gave me great understanding and insight about the Chamber and local business world. Every time I went to a meeting I felt welcomed and many people shared their knowledge and experience with me. One important skill that I picked up was learning to network. Not too long after doing the Rising Stars program I became a business owner myself which I now have been running for five years. I chose to become a chamber member because of my previous knowledge I had gained through the Rising Stars program. I knew it would help me with the growth of my business. The second way I participated in Rising Stars was when I had the opportunity to mentor a student from NWCC. This was a really positive and encouraging experience. I enjoyed sharing my knowledge and passing on my experiences. It was a great pleasure to work with a student and I look forward to continuing in a similar role in the future as well as helping with the continued development of the program.
- Tanya Jordan, Rising Star Class of 2007, Rising Star Mentor 2011
The rising stars program is an affordable learning tool for the future business people of our community. Students sometimes come in with little to no business etiquette and in most cases lack general business networking skills. From the initial “firm handshake” to gaining confidence and addressing a roomful of business professionals, these students have been able to take away valuable experience, feedback and in many cases future employment. As a mentor – being able to watch the development of my mentee in helping them achieve their goals has been very rewarding and I look forward to continue supporting this invaluable program in our community.
- Amber Sheasgreen, Rising Star Mentor 2011, 2012
Most students in post-secondary institutions admit they really don’t know what they want to do for a career. For this reason feelings of uncertainty and fear creep into the picture and tend to derail their plans. Programs that support students in these situations can help them make the right decision.
The Rising Stars program is a program initiated by the Prince Rupert & District Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Northwest Community College that is supporting the students enrolled in the local Business Administration course. The students who have participated in the program truly experience the world of a small business or the corporate environment with the support of their mentors. As the past Chamber President, mentor and parent of a child who has benefitted from the program, I can testify the program has positively impacted the lives of those who participated as a Rising Star. For the students, the program was a confirmation that this is definitely the career path they’d like to continue with and for others it helped them make the decision to not continue down the educational road that they were currently pursuing and put them on the right track with the support of their mentors.”
- Maynard Angus, Rising Star Mentor 2006, Parent of Rising Star 2012
I have been involved since the Rising Stars inaugural year and have had the opportunity to mentor several students. Now as President of the Chamber I continue to see what a great asset this program is not just to the Chamber but also the college, business community and the community as a whole. We see development of our youth, and provide opportunities to network and be engaged in the regional business community. Especially rewarding is seeing students becoming mentors, business owners, and employees within the community and aiding in the further development of this program year after year. Our recognition as 2013 BC Chamber of the Year was in part, due to this highly regarded and successful program.
- Jason Scherr, Rising Star Mentor 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
