A North Delta teen is one 50 students from across Canada chosen to receive a $120,000 scholarship to pursue a post-secondary degree in engineering.
Alexander Charnetski, a senior at Sands Secondary, has been awarded a Schulich Leader Scholarship to study engineering science at Simon Fraser University’s Faculty of Applied Sciences.
Julie Sansregret, Sands’ career and post-secondary advisor, nominated Charnetski for the scholarship for his outstanding academic and extra-curricular achievements, which included making more than 600 mask straps and distributing them to front-line workers at Lower Mainland hospitals and dental clinics during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Charnetski has competed in numerous local and regional science fairs throughout the years, and in 2018, he was selected as a finalist for the Canada Wide Science Fair at Carleton University. He was the Fraser region’s youngest contender that year, and his project investigated how ultrasonic sound waves reflected off materials with varying degrees of porosity.
“I am deeply honoured to be selected to receive the Schulich Leader Scholarship, as it allows me to fully focus on my studies at Simon Fraser University without worrying about financial burdens,” Charnetski said in a press release. “I am excited to join the network of current and former Schulich Leaders across Canada as well as industry professionals that will further enrich my learning.”
Charnetski said he looks forward to a career in the field of applied sciences and working to create innovative solutions to complex problems that will better society.
“I am thankful to the Delta School District for giving me a solid foundation of learning and support to reach where I am today, ready to transition into my exciting future,” he said.
The Schulich Leader Scholarship, established in 2012 by businessman and philanthropist Seymour Schulich, is awarded to 100 students enrolled in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) undergraduate degree at one of 20 Canadian partner universities.
According to a news release from Schulich Leader Scholarships Canada, the scholarship was intended to “encourage our best and brightest students to become (…) the next generation of entrepreneurial-minded, technology innovators.”
Every high school in Canada is eligible to propose one student per academic year for the award, which is based on academic performance in STEM, entrepreneurial leadership, and financial need.
The value of the Schulich scholarship has been enhanced this year to reflect the rising cost of living in Canada. The Schulich Foundation is awarding 50 engineering scholarships for $120,000 each, as well as 50 scientific, technology, or math scholarships worth $100,000 each.
“We are proud to celebrate the continued success of Schulich Leader Scholarships, the premiere STEM scholarship program in Canada. This group of outstanding students will represent the best and brightest Canada has to offer and will make great contributions to society, both on a national and global scale,” Schulich said in a press release.
“With their university expenses covered, they can focus their time on their studies, research projects, extracurriculars and entrepreneurial ventures. They are the next generation of entrepreneurial-minded, technology innovators.”
