DATELINE DESI
WHAT NEXT AFTER WINNING A $100,000 SCHOLARSHIP?
Kiara Mavalwala, grade 12 student at St. Augustine CHS in Markham, received the prestigious Schulich Leader Scholarship worth $100,000 for demonstrating academic excellence in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
The York Catholic District School Board congratulated Kiara Mavalwala, grade 12 student at St. Augustine CHS in Markham, on receiving the prestigious Schulich Leader Scholarship worth $100,000 for demonstrating academic excellence in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Kiara is a student in St. Augustine’s STEM+ Focused Laptop Program and will study engineering at York University. She was the manager of her high school’s Best Buddies club, VP of the Eco Team, a leader for the school’s grade 9 orientation program and also a member of several school sports teams including field hockey, snowboarding, ultimate frisbee, soccer and volleyball.
She was nominated for the Schulich Leader Scholarship by her principal, Phyllis Vander Doelen.
“Kiara is an excellent, very committed and conscientious young person who exhibits much care and concern for others in all that she does,” said Vander Doelen. “She has many excellent leadership qualities and her dealings with both students and staff are always thoughtful, courteous, co-operative and collaborative.”
“It took a few days for the reality of winning the Schulich Leader Scholarship to sink in, but now I’m ready and determined to use it to make the world a better place,” said Kiara. “My passion for engineering was sparked during my Grade 11 Indigenous-focused English class that opened my eyes to the inequalities across our nation. The engineering degree that I am pursuing offers the building blocks to create sustainable solutions that will help achieve change in local communities, across the country and beyond.”
Seymour Schulich established this $100-plus million scholarship fund in 2012 to encourage the best and brightest students to become Schulich Leader Scholars. Through the Schulich Foundation, these scholarships are awarded to high school graduates enrolling in a science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) undergraduate program at 20 partner universities in Canada.