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The University of New Brunswick (UNB) is pleased to announce the 2025-26 recipients of the Beaverbrook Scholars Award.

Valued at $58,000 over four years, the Beaverbrook Scholars Award is awarded annually to three outstanding graduates of New Brunswick high schools who display high academic ability, financial need and contribution to their communities. This year’s recipients are Jacob Dunsmore, Keon Park and Liam Simmonds.

Jacob Dunsmore is a student at Hampton High School, where he has played baseball and hockey and volunteered for school events and as a reading tutor for elementary students. As a volunteer in Saint John, he works with members of the community who are experiencing homelessness and food insecurity. This year, he received the Spirit Award from his high school for his enthusiastic support of his school’s teams after being sidelined by injury. Dunsmore is enrolled in the bachelor of arts program at UNB.

Keon Park is a student at Woodstock High School, where he has represented his school in various sports including soccer, baseball and cross country, is captain of the school’s volleyball team, and was named 2024-25 Boys Athlete of the Year. He has volunteered as a math tutor and assisted as a mentor for U11A minor hockey and has honed his leadership skills over several years as a hockey referee. Park is enrolled in the bachelor of science program at UNB.

Liam Simmonds is a student at Leo Hayes High School, where he is a member of the chess club and has represented his school at district chess tournaments. Outside of school, he works as a supervisor at a pizza restaurant. This year, he received the Kingswood Turnaround Achievement Award, recognizing students who have overcome significant adversity. Simmonds is enrolled in the bachelor of science in engineering program at UNB.

“I warmly welcome Jacob, Keon and Liam as they join the Beaverbrook Scholar family,” said Blair Kennedy, chair of the Beaverbrook Scholars Award committee. “These scholars carry forward a legacy built on mutual support and community impact, values that have shaped this program for more than four decades. They exemplify the strength, talent and community-minded spirit that define our legacy throughout New Brunswick and beyond.”

The Beaverbrook Scholarships at the University of New Brunswick have been awarded since 1920, when the scholarship program was initiated by Sir William Maxwell Aitken, 1st Baron Beaverbrook, PC, ONB. In 1979, former scholars came together to establish the modern Beaverbrook Scholars Awards in honour of their former benefactor, so they might continue his tradition of helping to shape future leaders.

The Beaverbrook Scholars Award is maintained by former Beaverbrook Scholars with support from the Beaverbrook Canadian Foundation. Since 1981, more than $3.6 million has been awarded to more than 100 exceptional graduates of New Brunswick high schools who display high academic ability and financial need and make extraordinary contributions to their communities. Together, the Beaverbrook Scholars are a strong network of leaders, making change at the local, provincial and national levels.