Naomi Georges Earns $100,000 Schulich Leader Scholarship
Naomi Georges, a graduating student at Cardinal Carter Catholic Secondary School in Leamington, has been awarded one of Canada’s most prestigious STEM scholarships: the $100,000 Schulich Leader Scholarship.
Georges was in chemistry class when she first learned she had been selected as one of only 100 Canadian high school students to receive the award this year.
“I don’t think it clicked for me at first, it was really surprising,” she said. “It was a surreal experience when I realized how big a deal this was.”
Canada’s Schulich Leader Scholarship
The Schulich Leader Scholarship is awarded to high school seniors who plan to pursue undergraduate studies in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM). Each year, 100 students across Canada are selected for the $100,000 award to support their post-secondary education.
First Schulich Scholar From Cardinal Carter
Georges is the first student from Cardinal Carter Catholic Secondary School to be named a Schulich Scholar. She said she feels honored to represent her school and credits much of her success to the support of teachers, friends, and family.
She was nominated by her guidance counselor, Jeff Tellier, who described her as an ambassador for the school.
“I am confident that she has inspired many students with her outstanding academic and extracurricular achievements,” Tellier said in a news release. “Being one of the recipients of the prestigious Schulich Leader Scholarship can only reinforce that inspiration.”
Balancing Academics, Sports, and Leadership
Throughout high school, Georges maintained top marks while taking a demanding course load. She balanced science, math, and French immersion classes through the International Baccalaureate program and served as a Grade 12 representative on student council.
Outside the classroom, she is a member of the Windsor Wildcats fastpitch softball team and also plays basketball, volleyball, and badminton.
Future Plans in STEM at McMaster University
With a long-standing interest in science, Georges will continue her studies this fall in the Honors Integrated Science program at McMaster University.
“I think the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) field is very relevant worldwide and you can do so many things with a STEM degree,” she said. “I’m really glad I found the integrated science program because it allows me to do a little bit of everything and then decide what I like best.”
Georges is looking forward to university life and hopes to take advantage of research opportunities early in her first year of study.
