A Toronto-based performing arts company has established a bursary to honour murdered Surrey teen Maple Batalia.
The House of Kiran’s Maple Batalia Memorial Fund is to be awarded to a young woman of South Asian descent who is “passionate and dedicated to pursuing a career in the field of performing arts or acting,” the company says.
Batalia, 19, was an aspiring model and actress. She was gunned down in the early hours of Sept. 28 in a parkade outside the Surrey SFU campus where she had been studying late with friends. A suspect has yet to be arrested in the case, but police are seeking information about a white Dodge Charger with a sunroof that was seen speeding from the murder scene.
“This award has been created to show love, honor, guidance, support and respect to young South Asian women who are passionate about the very things Maple was,” House of Kiran said about the bursary. “It’s time for us to come together as a community to nurture our young artists and talent. This can only happen with the collective support of our community. RIP Maple. Gone, but never forgotten!”
Applicants for the award must meet the following criteria:
• Applicant must be a female of South Asian descent between the ages of 16-21. Applicant must be a legal resident of Canada.
• Applicant must demonstrate passion and dedication for pursuing a career in the performing arts (including but not limited to acting, singing, dancing, modeling).
• Applicant must submit a five to seven page essay describing why they deserve this award. All relevant contact information must be supplied on the document. (Email address, phone number, mailing address).
• Applicant must submit a head shot, demo reel and/or portfolio of prior work.
• Applicant must submit support materials of their involvement within their community through their chosen mediums. This may include newspaper articles, interviews and/or other media.
Submissions can be made to info@houseofkiran.com.
The deadline for applications is March 4, 2012, which would have been Batalia’s 20th birthday. The award will be presented to the chosen recipient on Sept. 28, the anniversary of her death.
