The Schulich Leader Scholarship is Canada's most coveted undergraduate STEM scholarship, awarded to just 100 students across the country who demonstrate excellence in academics, leadership, creativity, and entrepreneurial thinking.
From the classroom to the community, Puglisi has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to learning, service and growth. "I've always been inspired by the idea that life is what you make of it," he shared. "Pursuing a purposeful and fulfilling life has given me the priceless gift of loving what I do."
And Puglisi does a lot.
Whether coaching hockey on early winter mornings, tutoring peers in French, performing jazz trombone solos, or volunteering weekly with the Gore Park Community Outreach Program, Puglisi's life is a testament to well-rounded excellence. For the past four years, he has served hundreds of individuals experiencing homelessness and food insecurity, something he says changed his worldview.
"Through Gore Park, I have truly understood how fortunate I am."
"Helping others sparked my interest in coaching, and I've realized how powerful it is to be a positive figure in someone's life, especially while doing something you love."
Puglisi has also earned high distinction in academics, receiving the Director's Award of Excellence for Academic Proficiency, reserved for the top-performing students in Grade 11. He has excelled in courses such as Advanced Functions, Physics, Chemistry, and Calculus, which have laid a strong foundation for his university studies in engineering.
As part of the Specialist High Skills Major program, he also completed a summer co-op with Parkgate Developments and Davis New Homes, where he helped with real-world land development and home-building projects.
"Witnessing conceptual ideas being converted into real-life structures was fascinating and played a pivotal role in shaping my career path."
It is no surprise, then, that Puglisi plans to apply his engineering education to the pressing issues facing our world today, particularly the housing crisis.
"I plan to make a dent in the universe by addressing poverty," he explained. "By combining engineering principles with my experience in land development, I want to work with local municipalities and businesses to create affordable housing and reduce homelessness."
His overall dedication has earned him both the Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh's International Awards, recognizing his perseverance, leadership, and commitment to personal growth through outdoor expeditions, service, and skill-building.
At school, he is a key member of the Prefect Council, where he mentors new students and leads initiatives to build school spirit. "Being a new student myself in Grade 11, I understand the challenges of starting fresh," he said. "I became a prefect to make sure others always have a friend to turn to."
As Puglisi prepares to begin his engineering studies, having already received offers from institutions such as the University of British Columbia and the University of Ottawa, he looks forward to exploring fields like civil, mechanical, or aerospace engineering. His long-term goal is to blend entrepreneurship and engineering to create innovative, meaningful solutions for society's most pressing needs.
"I strive to be a multi-dimensional individual," he said.
"Each life experience has pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me grow. I'm confident the skills I've developed will guide me to make a positive impact on myself, others, and the world."
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