June 25, 2020-Congratulations to Jessie Ritter, a Grade 12 student from North Hastings High School received one of the best gifts ever: an $80,000 Schulich Leader Scholarship to study Computer Science and Mathematics at the University of Toronto-Mississauga.
Ritter was selected by for her outstanding academic achievements and is the first NHHS student to receive Schulich Leader Scholarship.
Given the unparalleled current disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a much greater need for students to get financial support in order to pursue post-secondary education. This year, The Schulich Foundation awarded an additional 50 scholarships, for a total of 100.
The scholarship is a game-changer for Ritter. "This changes everything for me. I wasn't going to go to university in the fall for financial reasons. Now I can actually go and I don't have to stay behind and work to make enough money to go to university. It was wonderful to find out this news! I got the news by email, and I thought that it was a mistake. I had to email them back to ask a couple of questions and they told me that it was in fact, very real. My parents are also very excited about this news. This scholarship will give me the financial means to get an education at one of the best universities in Canada and I for this I feel truly blessed," said Ritter.
The NHHS principal, Wayne Stewart agrees. "This is absolutely wonderful news for Jessie and her family, as well as for our school and the community. It shows our students that if you work hard, and you are committed and passionate about learning, great, life-changing, positive things can happen. Jessie is an absolutely exemplary student which is the number one reason she won this scholarship. She is also a wonderful person and is liked by everyone. At NHHS, we are so proud of what Jessie has accomplished and we are excited to see what the future will bring for this remarkable young woman," said Stewart.
North Hastings High School is located in Bancroft, Ontario and serves approximately 500 students in Grades 7-12. NHHS offers specialized 4-credit courses which allow students to learn principles of resource management and environmental studies, which help them to gain employment in resource-based careers.
Contact
Kerry Donnell, Communications & Public Relations Manager, [email protected], 613.966.1170, extension 62354