Jenna Kaplan: Fire, Faith, and Fight Behind Her Scholarship Win

Picture of Jenna Kaplan taken by Simon Fraser University Uggla Family Scholarship Photographer Eugene Doudko.

"In 2017, my house burned to the ground in a devastating wildfire. We were left with only the clothes on our backs and nothing else. Having to start again from absolutely nothing was the hardest thing I have ever done. We drove through flames and then suddenly I had to start my life over like it was normal?" said Jenna.

Back in 2024 I had the honour to meet and interview Jenna Kaplan and her incredible story.

Jenna Kaplan, 18, is a student at Simon Fraser University for International Studies on a full ride scholarship as a recipient of the Uggla Family Scholarship.

Only a year after the fire took everything from Jenna's family, her parents at a crossroads decided to immigrate to Canada. This decision changed everything Jenna ever knew. She grew up in a small town with the same people she had seen every day since kindergarten. She describes moving countries as "an absolute culture shock". The only thing she knew about Canada before they moved, was that it was cold in the winter.

"I was the kid that spoke with a funny accent and didn’t understand everyone’s pop culture or historical references. I felt like a plant that was transplanted to a different location and made to be an alien species. I was lucky enough to have really amazing teachers and got through middle and high school just fine. Even though life has been absolutely amazing and I have had so many opportunities since I moved, part of that journey is recognizing how hard it is to start again, not only once but twice."

She shared, "I grew up near Cape Town, South Africa in a Jewish family. My experiences both as a Jewish person and as a South African have greatly impacted who I am today. Seeing the economic and social disparities between ethnic and racial groups in post-apartheid South Africa hit close to home. Many of my friends grew up in what were called “townships” and often faced barriers in terms of education and access to resources, healthcare and basic services. This was greatly juxtaposed to the many benefits we have in British Columbia, Canada. I moved to Chilliwack, BC, with my family when I was 12 years old. Seeing the injustice my friends and millions of others faced back in South Africa made me want to have a positive impact. This has driven me toward my chosen field of study and toward helping others. Additionally, being Jewish is a central part of who I am. In Judaism we are taught principles of “Tzedakah” and “Tikkun Olam.” These are Hebrew words meaning righteousness and represent helping others who need it the most. Combining my experiences living in South Africa with my Jewish upbringing has shown me how important it is to strive towards positive change and to help others when they need it most, creating a better world for all". 

From the time she entered middle school, Jenna Kaplan immersed herself in athletics and community service. She joined athletic leadership, a role she carried throughout high school, where she helped scorekeep games, design posters, and guide peers in team activities. Beyond sports, she also took on mentorship roles as a Link Leader and as a Big Buddy with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada.

Jenna Kaplan, High School Rugby Team

Leadership quickly became central to Kaplan’s identity. In her senior year, she ran for and was elected Student Council President, a role that brought both responsibility and reward. She was later nominated to represent her school at District School Board meetings, collaborating with the principal to strengthen inclusivity and ensure that students felt safe and supported in their learning environment.

The journey, however, was not without challenges. Despite being known as an outspoken and confident leader, Kaplan experienced hate crimes and discrimination during her campaign. “It was difficult, and it really surprised a lot of people,” she recalled. Instead of letting those moments define her, she turned them into motivation. Drawing on her experiences, she prioritized fostering acceptance and positivity within her school community, organizing events such as dances and other activities that brought students together.

Although relatively new to the Chilliwack community, Kaplan hopes to continue building on her track record of leadership. “I want to keep doing what I’ve always done—helping people and creating spaces where everyone feels like they belong,” she said.

Kaplan has witnessed firsthand how political and economic issues shape people’s lives, both on individual and global levels. These experiences fuel her commitment to advocacy. “I’ve always been outspoken,” she said. “When I see something that needs to change, I speak up.” Having faced antisemitism and anti-immigrant attitudes during her school years, Kaplan chose not to let those experiences discourage her. Instead, she uses them as motivation to build a world where no one has to endure hatred, discrimination, or disrespect.

Her passion for community service reflects that mission. Kaplan has focused on tangible, everyday ways to help others—whether distributing hygiene products, food, or other necessities to those in need. She hopes to expand this work by partnering with larger organizations that can provide additional funding and resources, with the goal of serving not only Metro Vancouver but also the Fraser Valley. “I don’t want to do this alone,” she explained. “I want to involve as many people as possible who want to lend a helping hand.”

Looking ahead, Kaplan envisions her future on a global stage.

She aspires to become both a diplomat and an international lawyer, roles that would allow her to continue her advocacy on a broader scale. “Ultimately, I want to make this world a better place for everyone,” she said.

Jenna Kaplan, Graduation Ceremony

Supporting Jenna as she navigated building a Non Profit Organization from the ground up was an incredible honour. Jenna reminded me that mentorship is about more than guidance—it’s about helping young people see hope in their own potential. In her words:

"Stephanie has always helped me whenever I had questions, has been so kind and caring and has given me all the support I need to get my project going. All the time, Stephanie is truly an inspiration and cares deeply for those around her, both in and outside of the work she does".

Written by Stephanie Slen, Founder of The People's Voice Article