Student Wins Major Schulich Leader Scholarship
Congratulations to Grade 12 student Colby Cadden of Salmon Arm Secondary who has been awarded one of Canada’s top undergraduate scholarships!
Recently, Colby received word that he has received a Schulich Leader Scholarship which supports Canada’s top talent in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM).
Colby comments that winning the scholarship was a shock. “Honestly, the experience was quite surreal. I found out via a notification on my phone, titled Schulich Leader Scholarship. I don’t think I processed much of the email past the first line, which read, Congratulations Colby!”
“My heart was racing. I was honoured to be selected as our school’s nominee, and did not expect much moving forward in the selection process. It’s humbling. I have had the privilege of learning from some amazing teachers and coaches and will be forever grateful for their support.”
Colby has been accepted to the University of Calgary, Schulich School of Engineering for the fall. He plans to explore various branches of engineering but, at this point, is drawn to mechanical or biomedical engineering. “Academically, I am passionate about STEM courses like math, physics, and chemistry, as they challenge my limits and strengthen my ability to problem solve.”
“As an Engineer, I see endless opportunities to make a meaningful impact. The variety of fields and constant need for improvement is enticing. Thanks to the Schulich Leader Scholarship, I can now begin my journey without the financial burden. As a Schulich Leader, I’ll be surrounded by like-minded individuals with a passion for innovation in STEM, and I’m excited to see where this passion will lead.”
Salmon Arm Secondary counsellor Dave Van Bergeyk comments the scholarship is well deserved. “Colby is incredibly hard-working, diligent, and thoughtful. He applies his work ethic and thoughtful analysis to everything he does, both as a student and an athlete. He is quiet and reserved, overall, but has grown into leadership in school and sports because his hard work sets an example for others to follow that is impossible to ignore. There’s no doubt in my mind that he has both the academic strength and overall mindset to thrive as an engineer, and I look forward to hearing about his successes down the road.”
Colby has been active in sports and volunteering while maintaining an academic average of 99 percent. This includes years of early morning Fitness and Basketball classes, as well as school volleyball, basketball, and ultimate teams. One thing he is particularly proud of is his participation in Salmon Arm Secondary’s Athletic Leadership Club. “I have taken a lead role in organizing intramurals, managing our social media, and creating posters to recognize SAS graduates currently competing in post secondary athletics. This club aims to bring school culture together through athletics.”
He has volunteered as a referee for elementary basketball, a helper coach for Shuswap Hoops and minor soccer, and a scorekeeper at basketball and volleyball games he is not playing in. He also worked part-time at a seed nursery and tree orchard.
One hundred Schulich Leader Scholarships are awarded to entrepreneurial-minded high school graduates enrolling in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math program at 20 partner universities across Canada. Half are valued at $120,000 for engineering scholarships and half are valued at $100,000 for science and math scholarships. Every high school in Canada can nominate one graduating student each year to apply for the scholarship.
In recent memory, SD83 has been fortunate to have had two winners. Aidan Eglin of Pleasant Valley Secondary in Armstrong won the award in 2020 and pursued a Bachelor of Science at the University of B.C., majoring in computer science and astronomy with a minor in linguistics. Simona Bene Watts of Salmon Arm Secondary won the award in 2014 and went on to study science at McGill University.
“Schulich Leader Scholarships enable Canada’s top universities to attract and retain our exceptional STEM talent here at home, empowering them to become the innovators and entrepreneurs our country needs. When these scholars go on to drive prosperity and strengthen our economy, Canada must ensure the right economic conditions exist so they can build their promising futures here. Supporting their entrepreneurial ambition is essential for turning Canadian ingenuity into lasting national success,” says program founder Seymour Schulich.
As a person with financial need growing up, Schulich was fortunate to receive a life-changing scholarship to attend McGill University’s first-ever MBA class in 1965. He attributes much of his success to his education and now he’s paying it forward to the next generation.
About The Schulich Foundation
The Schulich Foundation is one of Canada’s largest foundations, having donated in excess of $350 million. Seymour Schulich established and funded The Schulich Foundation. He holds Canada’s highest civilian award, the Order of Canada, and is among Canada’s greatest philanthropists. Having benefited greatly from a scholarship that enabled him to do his MBA, Mr. Schulich has built a well-earned reputation as a champion for education and access to education in Canada and around the world. The Schulich Foundation has endowed university faculties of business, engineering, medicine, law, education, music, chemistry, nursing and dentistry; libraries, dormitories, courtyards, medical health centers, lecture and music halls. Over 6,000 scholarships are awarded annually to students in Schulich Schools.
The Foundation’s largest initiative is the $100+ million Schulich Leader Scholarships program, spanning 25 universities across Canada and Israel, in support of students pursuing STEM education. For more information visit: schulichleaders.com.