Local students among Chinook scholarship recipients

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman on June 17, 2022.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

The University of Lethbridge has rewarded six of the top provincial high school students with $5000 Chinook Scholarships and among them are three students from the Lethbridge School Division.
The recipients of the awards were students from Lethbridge, Coaldale, Magrath and Okotoks.
All high school students that wish to become University of Lethbridge students are eligible to apply for the Chinook Scholarship, which recognizes those who have demonstrated superior academic achievement with a minimum 85 per cent admission average and leadership qualities.
The Lethbridge School Division celebrated Alejandro Figueroa and Makena Wood, both from Lethbridge Collegiate Institute on Friday, during the LCI Green and Gold Awards ceremony where they received their Chinook Scholarship awards.
Other winners include Andreas Gateman (Holy Trinity Academy, Okotoks), Kealani Wickend (Kate Andrews High School, Coaldale), Alejandro Figueroa (Lethbridge and Karl Boehme (Magrath High School, Magrath).
Figueroa’s intended area of study is Kinesiology and he is the president of his school’s branch of the National Honour 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.
“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,” said Figueroa in a press release.
Wood’s intended area of study is Neuroscience and she is a member of her school’s branch of the National Honour Society, requiring significant volunteer and community service responsibilities as well as a Lethbridge Amateur Swim Club athlete who also served as a coach and role model for seven to 10-year-old students.
“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,” said Wood in a press release.
She said this award is definitely a confidence boost heading into her university career and its value will no doubt help kickstart her 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,” said Wood.
The other LSD student who was awarded the Chinook Scholarship was Bhawana Pradhan from Winston Churchill high School.
The award recipients were selected by a committee based on a submitted student essay, references, academic excellence, and leadership experience.
“These students have shown throughout their high school careers to be leaders in their schools and in their communities,” said Mike Mahon, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Lethbridge in a press release.
He said 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 the ULethbridge to begin their post-secondary journeys” said Mahon.

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