2005 News Releases
June 10, 2005Scholarship sends students on a global education adventure
Edmonton... Eight of Alberta's top high school students will be packing their bags this summer to spend the next two years studying at schools around the globe, after receiving a Grant MacEwan United World College Scholarship.
Every year, eight scholarships are awarded to Grade 11 students who have achieved academic excellence and demonstrated superior leadership qualities. The scholarship covers the cost of tuition and room and board for two years at one of the United World Colleges located around the world. Students also receive one return-flight trip home each year, making the value of each award more than $32,000 per year.
"These bright students have accomplished many great things at such a young age, and they are an inspiration to all Albertans," said Advanced Education and Technology Minister Dave Hancock. "This scholarship presents a unique opportunity for these students to travel and learn more about social understanding and cooperation which will benefit their communities and our entire province when they return."
This program encourages Alberta students to advance their education and build their capacity to compete in a global marketplace - two key pillars in the government's 20-year strategic plan.
The United World Colleges are part of a global education movement developed to encourage young people from around the world to become responsible citizens, politically and environmentally aware, and committed to the ideals of peace, justice, understanding and cooperation. The first college, Atlantic College in Wales, opened in 1962, and there are 10 colleges around the world in the United Kingdom, Singapore, Canada, Swaziland, the United States, Italy, Venezuela, Hong Kong, Norway and India.
In 2000, Alberta’s United World College Scholarship program was expanded and renamed to honour the life and accomplishments of Dr. Grant MacEwan. Since that time, more than $1.6 million has been awarded to 31 Alberta students to study at a United World College.
More information about this scholarship and others available through Alberta Scholarship Programs is available online at alis.alberta.ca. To find out more about United World Colleges, visit www.uwc.net.
Backgrounder
Grant MacEwan United World College Scholarship 2005 Recipients
| Recipient | Current high school | United World College |
| Ashton Brown
Ashton is a hard-working individual who is dedicated to putting her best effort into any project she undertakes. She is passionate about debate, qualifying to represent Alberta at the National High School Debate Championship for 2005 and represented Alberta at the National Debating Seminar that was held in Saskatchewan. She volunteers on her high school student council, tutors other students and received a Citizenship Award from the City of Calgary for her work as past Chair of the South West Calgary Youth Advisory Council. Ashton is also a member of the Calgary Rowing Club where she rows several times a week. |
Henry Wise Wood Senior High School | The United World College of the American West
(New Mexico, United States) |
| Theo Di Castri
Theo is an ardent piano player and filmmaker with a special interest in learning languages. He volunteers in a special needs class, is a volunteer ski instructor and volunteers at a local art gallery and public library. He is active in school and is a leader of the social justice group, a member of the student council and the founder and editor of an international student newspaper. Theo also enjoys cross-country skiing, running and Ukrainian dancing. |
École Secondaire Sainte Marguerite d'Youville | Mahindra United World College of India
(Pune, India) |
| Christy Drever
Christy was raised on a grain and cattle farm where she currently lives with her parents and three siblings. She has a passion for sports, particularly triathlons, and in 2003 she won the Western Canadian Championship. Christy takes a keen interest in all activities and always looks forward to new experiences. |
Hughenden Public School | Lester B. Pearson United World College
(Victoria, British Columbia) |
| Irfan Kherani
Irfan is a sixteen year old honour student currently attending Old Scona Academic High School. Irfan enjoys giving back to the community and does so through the City of Edmonton Youth Council as the vice chair of Finance and as a summer volunteer for the Elves Special Needs Society. Having a deep love for international politics, Irfan has had the opportunity to attend Harvard University and study international relations. He has also been nominated to attend the Global Young Leaders Conference this summer in Europe. In his spare time, Irfan loves to read and spend time with friends and family. |
Old Scona Academic School | Lester B. Pearson United World College
(Victoria, British Columbia) |
| Sean McGinnis
Sean is bilingual and enrolled in the International Baccalaureate program. Sean has been playing the piano since an early age and is currently studying at the Grade 10/Associate Teacher's Level. He is involved in school athletics, including cross-country, soccer and track. He is an active volunteer in student union activities and at the Edmonton Food Bank. |
McNally High School | The United World College of the Atlantic
(Wales, United Kingdom) |
| Christopher Sykes
Christopher is in the International Baccalaureate program. Christopher enjoys participating in speech, debate, Model UN and Model Parliament. He placed first in the Impromptu category at the Western Canadian Debate Championships. He is preparing the inaugural First Nations team for the 2005 World Debating Championships held in Calgary. He has been volunteering at a local daycare, and in his spare time he enjoys cross-country running, track and field, and swimming. Recently, he has obtained his certification as lifeguard and swimming instructor. |
Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School | Li Po Chun United World College
(Hong Kong, China) |
| Rochelle Wagner
Rochelle has many interests but especially loves sports - basketball in particular. She loves to coach soccer to young children. She is currently heavily involved at her school and works part-time at a drug store. She is interested in pursuing a career in foreign relations, politics or journalism. |
École Notre Dame High School | Red Cross/Red Crescent Nordic United World College
(Fjaler, Norway) |
| Larissa Walkiw
Larissa has lived in three different cities throughout the course of her life and has experienced first hand the excitement of variety and change. Her love for languages and her strong Ukrainian heritage has led her to embrace the unique beauty that is culture, and to appreciate its rich tradition and history. She has a strong affinity for the arts and is particularly passionate about filmmaking. Larissa plays an active leadership role within her school and the community which allows her to manage a variety of rewarding projects, such as Student Conference Day, a film festival and several global awareness campaigns. |
École Secondaire Sainte Marguerite d'Youville | The United World College of the Adriatic
(Trieste, Italy) |
Dr. Grant MacEwan
Dr. John Walter Grant MacEwan served as a Calgary alderman, the Mayor of Calgary, an MLA and Leader of the Alberta Liberal Opposition before being appointed Lieutenant-Governor of Alberta in 1966. He was well known for his travels throughout the province and easily won the hearts of Albertans.
Throughout his life, Dr. MacEwan was a dedicated conservationist, historian and agriculturist. He wrote more than 55 books on these topics. His work, as both an author and a statesman, won him many honours including the Alberta Order of Excellence and the Order of Canada. Dr. MacEwan passed away on June 15, 2000.
