UNews - Chinook Scholarship

Top Alberta high school students earn Chinook Scholarships

trevor.kenney — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 21:57:34 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge will welcome six of the province’s top high school graduates to campus this fall as recipients of the $5,000 Chinook Scholarship, ULethbridge’s most prestigious high school entrance award.

These outstanding students from the communities of Airdrie, Coaldale, Cochrane and Lethbridge earned Chinook Scholarships from a field of outstanding applicants. All ULethbridge-bound high school students are eligible to apply for the Chinook Scholarship, which recognizes those who have demonstrated superior academic achievement (minimum 85 per cent admission average) and leadership qualities.

This year’s Chinook Scholarship recipients are Madison Hansen (Bert Church High School, Airdrie), Rachel Jensen (W.H. Croxford High School, Airdrie), Abigail Giacchetta (Kate Andrews High School, Coaldale), Janelle Saltvold (Cochrane High School, Cochrane), Kaytrin Irwin (Lethbridge Collegiate Institute, Lethbridge) and Madison Tsui (Lethbridge Collegiate Institute, Lethbridge).

The award recipients were selected by a committee based on a submitted student essay, references, academic excellence and leadership experience.

“The commitment these students have shown to their studies, their classmates and their communities throughout their high school careers is impressive,” says Dr. Erasmus Okine, provost and vice-president (academic). “They have shown they are among the brightest young minds in the province, with an aptitude for leadership and service. We are excited to welcome them as part of our vibrant campus community and look forward to seeing the avenues they will explore throughout their post-secondary journeys.”

Following is a brief synopsis of the winners.

Madison Hansen, Bert Church High School, Airdrie

Madison Hansen

Intended area of study: General Sciences and Education

• Team captain for high school basketball, soccer and volleyball teams, she also volunteered to coach boys’ basketball and volleyball

• Volunteered as a math tutor for fellow students and was president of the High School Grad Committee

• Volunteered for the Summit Foundation for Cystic Fibrosis

QUOTE — “I feel honoured to be selected as a recipient of the Chinook Scholarship. The award serves as validation of the hard work, dedication and abilities demonstrated in my high school career as well as acknowledges the importance of being a leader in both the community and in school. The award represents the start of a strong foundation for my future academic and personal growth. I am excited to attend ULethbridge in the fall to start a new chapter in my life and look forward to the opportunity to meet new people, participate in extracurricular activities and further my education.”

Rachel Jensen, W.H. Croxford High School, Airdrie

Rachel Jensen

Intended area of study: Combined degree in English and Education

• Served as a recreation volunteer and leader with the City of Airdrie

• Student Manager, Leadership, W.H. Croxford High School, as well as student leader in Movement for Mental Health

• Junior counsellor for Rotary Youth Club and holds two jobs outside of school

QUOTE — “This award means not only financial relief while I’m going into a new field of study in the fall, but it allows me to further apply myself whilst doing so. I am so grateful for such an amazing opportunity, and it really makes all the hard work worth it. I am very excited for the fresh start Lethbridge brings, as well as getting to apply myself in two fields of study where I hold passion. Beyond that, there are so many new people to meet, opportunities to explore and a school culture I cannot wait to immerse myself in!”

Abigail Giacchetta, Kate Andrews High School, Coaldale

Abigail Giacchetta

Intended area of study: Neuroscience

• First chair in both jazz band and concert band, as well as second chair in honour band

• Co-President of Kate Andrews Student Council and Youth-Do volunteer, board member for the Rachael Thomas Youth Advisory Board and Everactive Schools Advisory Board

• Passionate about research, goal is to attend medical school

QUOTE — “I am incredibly honoured to have been recognized for my leadership work within my community and awarded this prestigious scholarship. It has helped boost my confidence, and I am energized to continue my volunteering and leadership at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge. I am so excited to meet new individuals with the same goals and aspirations as myself. Joining new clubs and stepping out of my comfort zone are wonderful ways to better experience university life. I have always been interested in neuroscience, so I was incredibly happy to have been accepted into the program and I cannot wait to meet the amazing individuals there and learn about topics I enjoy.”

Janelle Saltvold, Cochrane High School, Cochrane

Janelle Saltvold

Intended area of study: Biological Sciences

• Section leader with the Cochrane High School band and student leader with choir, as well as a member of the Cochrane High School Interact Club

• Volunteered as a camp councillor for Wilderness Ranch Camp and served as a voluntary leader at Vacation Bible School for Brooks Trinity Lutheran Church

• A youth ambassador for the Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund

QUOTE — “I am so grateful for this award! Not only will it significantly contribute to my university fees, but it also helped me to reflect on the importance of leadership and boosted my confidence. Thank you so very much. I am excited to be attending a school with smaller class sizes that will allow me to ask my teachers questions, while still having lots of opportunities to discover more with the many resources and knowledgeable people available. I am also excited to study on such a beautiful campus and to meet new people.”

Kaytrin Irwin, Lethbridge Collegiate Institute, Lethbridge

Kaytrin Irwin

Intended area of study: Psychology and Chemistry

• Member of National Honor Society

• Volunteered at a naturopathic medical clinic and Lethbridge Humane Society, as well as LCI Lifeskills Bottle Recycling program

• Coach with City of Lethbridge Learn-to-Skate program

QUOTE — “This award brings recognition to all my academic accomplishments over the years. It brings me pride and eases much of my financial anxiety that comes with wanting to attend post-secondary. I am so fortunate to have been chosen for this award as I am now able to begin my studies with confidence and anticipation. I am excited to attend ULethbridge for many reasons, some being the amazing facilities and community I’ve been told about from both previous and current students and staff.”

Madison Tsui, Lethbridge Collegiate Institute, Lethbridge

Madison Tsui

Intended area of study: General Sciences

• An Ecclesiastical Youth Group President, she participated in several volunteer and service projects, including service to seniors, community clean-up programs, charitable drives and fundraising initiatives

• Volunteered as a respite caregiver

QUOTE — “I am beyond grateful to receive such a significant award. It will allow me to gain the confidence and reassurance to push myself while striving for the best throughout the beginning of my post-secondary studies. It is incredibly motivating to be acknowledged for all the hard work and sacrifices that dedicated high school students make to better their schools and communities. I look forward to interacting with more like-minded peers while I attend ULethbridge in the fall. I cannot wait to further my education in such an encouraging environment while also facing new and unfamiliar challenges along the way.

Top high school graduates earn Chinook Scholarships from ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge

trevor.kenney — Thu, 09 Jun 2022 15:25:58 +0000

Six of the province’s top high school graduates have been awarded $5,000 Chinook Scholarships from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge as they begin their academic journeys this fall.

Students from Lethbridge, Coaldale, Magrath, and Okotoks were successful in earning the major awards, ahead of a strong field of applicants. All ULethbridge-bound high school students are eligible to apply for the Chinook Scholarship, which recognizes those who have demonstrated superior academic achievement (minimum 85 per cent admission average) and leadership qualities.

The winners are: Andreas Gateman (Holy Trinity Academy, Okotoks), Bhawana Pradhan (Winston Churchill high School, Lethbridge), Kealani Wickend (Kate Andrews High School, Coaldale), Alejandro Figueroa (Lethbridge Collegiate Institute, Lethbridge), Makena Wood (Lethbridge Collegiate Institute, Lethbridge), and Karl Boehme (Magrath High School, Magrath).

“These students have shown throughout their high school careers to be leaders in their schools and in their communities,” says Dr. Mike Mahon, ULethbridge president and vice-chancellor. “Their applications highlight a well-rounded group of engaging young people who take initiative, are empathetic and utilize the critical thinking skills that will greatly add to our campus community. We’re excited to welcome them to ULethbridge to begin their post-secondary journeys.”

The award recipients were selected by a committee based on a submitted student essay, references, academic excellence, and leadership experience.

Following is a brief synopsis of the winners.

Andreas Gateman, Holy Trinity High School, Okotoks

Intended area of study: Sociology and Education

• Co-president of the “Me to We” volunteer program, where he led students to organize fundraisers, demonstrations and events, successfully raising $10,000 for clean water in developing nations
• Skip/team captain of the Okotoks Curling Club, including helping coach younger players

QUOTE — “This takes on a lot of the burden of paying tuition costs and has made me feel much more comfortable going into my first year. I’m honoured to have been chosen and look forward to starting my studies at ULethbridge in the fall. I am excited to focus my education on something I am truly passionate about and interested in discovering.”

Bhawana Pradham, Winston Churchill High School, Lethbridge

Intended area of study: Health Sciences and Management

• Student leader in school leadership club, where she organized a clothing and necessities drive that impacted over 200 students and resulted in a large donation to the Streets Alive Mission
• Participated in her school’s English Language Learning program, supporting programming and companionship
• Volunteer service representative and sorter at Interfaith Food Bank

QUOTE — “This award is very significant to me because it gets me closer to being able to take more classes without financial worries. It also means a lot to me because it rewards my academic achievements and lessons learned throughout life. I am excited to attend ULethbridge because I will be able to study the field of my interest, join new clubs and meet new people.”

Kealani Wickend, Kate Andrews High School, Coaldale

Intended area of study: Kinesiology and Education

• President of her high school council, a role that required hours of community service, event planning and public speaking
• Team captain and participant in multiple high school athletics

• Community volunteer for local library summer reading program, as well as other community events

QUOTE — “This award means the world to me. I have always believed in the importance of leadership within schools and communities. I thoroughly enjoyed taking on roles of encouragement to develop a positive and inclusive environment. I am very excited about all the new experiences I hope to have at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge! I can't wait to meet new people and expand my learning in a new environment where I can work on personal goals and further my growth.”

Alejandro Figueroa, Lethbridge Collegiate Institute, Lethbridge

Intended area of study: Kinesiology

• President of his school’s branch of the National Honor Society, where he served as the group’s official representative to other organizations, led meetings and public presentations, and organized content, community speakers and logistics of the club.
• Initiated introduction of mathematics peer tutoring hours and created a STEM club
• Demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities in church and sports activities

QUOTE — “I am truly grateful and elated to have been chosen as a recipient of the award, as it helps reassure me that I am on the right trajectory and have the capabilities to navigate this new stage of my life. I am excited about being able to start a new academic journey that entails diversifying my current lifestyle and surrounding myself with more like-minded people.”

Makena Wood, Lethbridge Collegiate Institute

Intended area of study: Neuroscience

• Member of her school’s branch of the National Honor Society, requiring significant volunteer and community service responsibilities
• Lethbridge Amateur Swim Club athlete who also served as a coach and role model for seven to 10-year-old students

QUOTE — “This award has been amazing to receive as an acknowledgement of my hard work and achievements in high school. I recognize that most everyone spends a lot of time and effort through their teen years as they prepare for the post-secondary path they will take and it is truly special to me to feel recognized for the journey I have been on. This award is definitely a confidence boost heading into my university career and its value will no doubt help kickstart my success. I am excited to experience and participate first hand in the amazing neuroscience program, to get to know some of the talented researchers and professors who make the program what it is, and to explore the amazing technology we have access to. I am also very excited to continue my competitive swimming career in a program I have grown up around for the last decade.”

Karl Boehme, Magrath High School, Magrath

Intended area of study: Neuroscience

• Chairman of the Magrath Hope Squad, which raises awareness for issues related to suicide and mental health, where he directed meetings, planned fundraising opportunities and events and acted as a resource and friend to students who were struggling
• Class Valedictorian
• Soccer coach for the Magrath Soccer Association, ensuring all children progressed in soccer skills and team building

QUOTE — “This award increases my confidence in my leadership skills and is a very welcome support to help me focus on my education. I love to learn! I can't wait to go deeper into topics that interest me and have a greater understanding of and appreciation for the world around me.”

UNews - Chinook Scholarship

Top Alberta high school students earn Chinook Scholarships

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Top high school graduates earn Chinook Scholarships from ��Ѹ�����Դ���߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge

Related Topics

Top high school graduates earn Chinook Scholarships from ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge