CBU Student Ava Graham Earns McCall MacBain Regional Award
While Ava Graham grew up respecting CBU and appreciating what the University was doing for her hometown of Sydney, she didn鈥檛 originally plan on attending herself. Initially, she was going to follow in the footsteps of friends who decided to leave the Island after high school to begin their post-secondary studies on the mainland. After being offered a scholarship and having the opportunity to meet face-to-face with CBU employees, Ava says she quickly realized CBU would be the best choice for her.聽
鈥淚 recognized that CBU鈥檚 staff had made a genuine effort to get to know me during the interview process; I felt like they really wanted me to attend their university because of who I was as a person 鈥� not just because I was one more student to add to their enrollment count,鈥� Ava says. 鈥淚 also realized that I could get the same bachelor鈥檚 degree at CBU that I could get at a larger university elsewhere, while receiving more opportunities as a result of a smaller student population.鈥�
Since becoming a CBU student, Ava has become fully embedded in the campus culture, working and volunteering in a number of roles. What initially started as a Summer position with the CBU Students鈥� Union, has now turned into her role as the Executive Vice President of the CBUSU. 鈥淚 started working there when I was 17 and so the Students鈥� Union is very close to my heart,鈥� she says. 鈥淎fter an intense election (and a re-election), we took office, and I鈥檝e been loving every minute of it. It鈥檚 an incredibly full-circle moment for me, and although the job itself is busy, I鈥檓 lucky to be working with a wonderful executive team and group of staff.鈥�
Ava has also served as Co-President of the Chemistry Society at CBU and Co-Chair for ChemCon, which was recently held at CBU for the first time in over a decade. She has helped plan many fundraisers, including Capers Helping Capers and Christmas Daddies.聽
Earlier this year, Ava was awarded the McCall MacBain Regional Award which recognizes students who have demonstrated exceptional character, 福利免费在线看 engagement, leadership potential, entrepreneurial spirit, academic strength and intellectual curiosity. The prestigious award will provide her with funding for a full-time master鈥檚 or professional program at any public university in Canada.聽
Ava says after finding out she had won, she immediately wanted to reach out to all those, from parents and friends to professors, who supported her through the application process. 鈥淣ow that it has settled in a bit, I鈥檓 not only reflecting on winning the award but also on my time at CBU as a whole,鈥� she says. 鈥淚鈥檝e had an amazing undergraduate experience and I鈥檓 really grateful for everything that has led me to this point. I鈥檓 proud to have received this award on a personal level, but I think it also speaks to the incredible opportunities and the level of support students receive here at CBU.鈥�
Ava encourages all students who are eligible to apply for the McCall MacBain scholarships to do so. 鈥淭he application process gives you the chance to reflect on your life and your motivations,鈥� Ava says. 鈥淓ven if you don鈥檛 get selected, it allows you to take the time for introspection, which I don鈥檛 think many of us do often enough.鈥�
Congratulations to Ava on this momentous achievement and all the best in her future endeavours.聽