Parent Perspective

Milena J. '20 (Kaye's)

Shawnigan Scholar

It's like they are handing you a future. Without this family, I wouldn't be who I am today. 2019-2020 Prefect & Stag Award recipient ” “

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.

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.