WINDSOR-ESSEX CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
Carter student school's first Schulich scholar

A student at Cardinal Carter Catholic Secondary School in Leamington has been selected as the school's first ever graduate to receive a $100,000 Schulich Leader Scholarship.

Naomi Georges will be entering the Honours Integrated Science Program at McMaster University this fall. 

"We are pleased to honour Naomi Georges as a Schulich Leader, joining a distinguished network of Canadian scholars," said Judy Schulich, President, The Schulich Foundation. "Their dedication to STEM will help build our future." 

A total of 100 scholarships are being awarded - 50 engineering scholarships valued at $120,000 each and 50 science, technology or math scholarships valued at $100,000 each.

Georges said the scholarship provides her with even greater incentive to achieve her post-secondary academic goals.

"Finding out about the Schulich Leader Scholarship was a surreal experience," said Georges. "It is an immense honour, and I am incredibly grateful. Knowing that the effort I have put in over the past four years has resulted in such a generous and prestigious scholarship is indescribable. I hope to pay it forward by pursuing opportunities to give back to the community.

Naomi was nominated by Cardinal Carter guidance counsellor Jeff Tellier for both her outstanding academic and extra-curricular achievements. He said Naomi has been a wonderful ambassador for their school, and that she has inspired many students with her outstanding academic and extracurricular achievements.

"In my career, I have worked with so many incredible young people, but Naomi truly stands out as arguably the strongest academic student I've ever seen balance such a demanding schedule of both academics and extracurricular activities," Tellier said. "I am continually impressed by Naomi's outstanding scholastic accomplishments, her drive and motivation to learn, and her natural ability to lead through extracurricular activities."

Recognizing the increasing importance and impact that STEM disciplines will have on the prosperity of future generations, businessman and philanthropist Seymour Schulich established this $200 million scholarship fund in 2012 to encourage our best and brightest students to become Schulich Leader Scholars: the next generation of entrepreneurial-minded, technology innovators.

Through The Schulich Foundation, these prestigious entrance scholarships are awarded to 100 high school graduates enrolling in a science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) undergraduate program at 20 partner universities in Canada. Every high school in Canada can submit one Schulich Leader Nominee per academic year based on academic excellence in STEM, entrepreneurial leadership, and financial need. 

The philanthropy of The Schulich Foundation, led by President Judy Schulich, is focused on raising the standard of living for Canadians by supporting high-performing people with promise. The Schulich Foundation is one of Canada's largest foundations, having committed over $500 million to philanthropic endeavours. Over 6,000 scholarships are awarded annually to students in Schulich Schools.

The Foundation's flagship initiative is the $200 million Schulich Leader Scholarships program, spanning 20 universities across Canada, in support of entrepreneurial-minded students pursuing STEM education. Following the success of this program, $50 million was committed to create Schulich Builders: Scholarships for Skilled Trades at 12 colleges in Ontario.