RECENT GRADUATE PERSPECTIVE Growing up on Vancouver Island, Shawnigan was my dream school, but I never thought of it as an option. When I was accepted and offered a scholarship, I couldn't believe it. After my Grade 10 year, a Shawnigan family chose me as the first recipient of their new scholarship. I feel like there isn't a big enough word to describe how grateful I am to this family for their financial and emotional support. When you are in a position like me, if somebody offers you something like this, it's like they are handing you a future. Obviously, you need to put in the work to be eligible to receive it, and make sure you continue to put in the work, but without this family, I wouldn't be who I am today. It has totally changed my life, and it has inspired me to want to do that for somebody else one day. It gives me a new perspective on what giving truly means and the impact it can have on someone's life.
Milena J. '20 (Kaye's) Shawnigan Scholar 2019-2020 Prefect & Stag Award recipient
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It's like they are handing you a future. Without this family, I wouldn't be who I am today.
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Going to Shawnigan gave me the tools and confidence to apply for university scholarships—to trust in myself and to know that I can achieve whatever I want if I put in the work. With the support of the Guidance Office, I started applying to universities and seeking scholarship opportunities. They encouraged me to apply for the Morehead-Cain Scholarship, a four-year, fullyfunded educational experience at my dream school, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. When I found out that I got it, I collapsed; I couldn't believe what was happening. I was so incredibly happy. I hope to take with me everything that I learned from Shawnigan as I move forward. The goal is to live my life how I want it to be and not be scared about yesterday or tomorrow, but just put everything I can into whatever I am doing and continue to learn.
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