Two Grade 12 students from Holy Rosary High School (HRHS) have earned major scholarships for university.
Aubree McLelland won a $40,000 award from the University of British Columbia, while Talen Hoskins earned a $60,000 TD Scholarship for Indigenous Leadership.
Both students say the money will help them focus on their futures, not on student debt.
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McLelland’s big dreams
McLelland plans to become a doctor.
“Oh, it’s gonna help so much,” she said. “I want to apply to medical school after my undergrad.”
She said the scholarship allows her to focus more on “research, extracurriculars, and volunteering in the UBC environment instead of working more.”
McLelland will study health sciences at UBC and thanked UBC and HRHS for helping her get to this point.
“It’s all for tuition, so it’s $40,000 paid out over the four years … There’ll be a little bit extra, which will go towards my books and programs,” she said. “I’m just so, so grateful, not only to UBC, but to everyone I had at Holy Rosary.”
She praised the school’s career team and said laughingly that she annoyed Mr. Almond daily for almost four months. McLelland advised other students to start applying for grants and scholarships early.
“Take time to get your resources together, ask for some references, know what your qualities are,” she said. “It doesn’t feel like it when you’re applying everywhere, but it’s worth it.”
Dan Gray Meridian Source
From confusion to celebration
The award surprised Hoskins due to previous experience.
“I actually didn’t get it at first,” she said, noting the good news finally came a few weeks later.
“It said I got it,” she said. “My mom kind of made me feel like I didn’t. She was like, ‘Talen, are you sure it’s not a scam email?’”
She said it now “feels pretty great” knowing it’s real.
Hoskins will study education at the University of Alberta and then pursue a master’s in speech-language pathology.
She said her two reference letters made the difference.
“Mrs. McLean and Miss White both wrote me very good reference letters,” she said.
Hoskins explained she had to write an essay explaining why she deserved the scholarship.
“I wrote about how I want to do education first and then speech,” she said. “How I just want to be able to help people.”
The scholarship will help cover her full bachelor’s degree.
“I won’t have to take out a loan,” she said. “I don’t have to worry about paying money back.”
The award also includes a $5,000 yearly living allowance and a paid TD internship each summer.
The importance of giving back
Giving back to the community is important to Hoskins, who explained her volunteer experience came in handy when applying for scholarships.
“I do a big part in Beba Project,” she said. “I’ve done that since Grade 10.”
Halloween for Hunger, hospital baskets and events to support local families benefit from her efforts as well.
“Everyone really pushes you to be your best,” she said of Holy Rosary, while noting she’s ready for what’s next.
“I feel like I have a pretty good head on my shoulders,” she said. “I know what I want to do.”
Take time to apply
Both students said applying for scholarships is hard work, but worth it.
“It was a lot of different questions and different essays,” said McLelland. “I’d say it took me about two weeks.”
Hoskins agreed.
“It wasn’t super big,” she said. “Just a couple of essays and two reference letters.”
Read more: HRHS student awarded $30K scholarship
