(rdnewsNOW file photo)

By rdnewsNOW Staff

$100,000

Hugh Sutherland School student receives coveted STEM scholarship

May 30, 2024 | 12:42 PM

A Hugh Sutherland School 2024 graduate, Jules Owen-Pole, has received the coveted Schulich Leader Scholarship of $100,000 to support her studies at Halifax Dalhousie University beginning this fall.

Owen-Pole plans to complete a double major in computer sciences and math, and then possibly pursue a masters degree in software engineering.

“I am very grateful for my teachers and my family,” said Owen-Pole, “and I’m grateful to have this opportunity. I can’t even put into words how excited I am to pursue what I love, to make connections with people, and to grow and learn. I won’t take this opportunity to learn more for granted.”

The Schulich Leader Scholarships are distributed to 100 students pursuing secondary education in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) at any one of the 20 partnered universities across the country. Every high school in Canada may nominate one graduate for the application process.

Once Owen-Pole was nominated by her school, a decision encouraged by her social teacher, Sherry Pike, she had to complete a number of writing assignments to secure her nomination.

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She was sitting in her calculus class when she got the life-changing phone call. Through tears and excitement she shared the news with her teacher before finding Pike to celebrate with her nominator.

“I didn’t even have the words,” said Pike. “They couldn’t have chosen a better kid to give this to. Jules is absolutely incredible. After she told me, I went home and had a little cry because I am just so happy for her. She deserves this.”

Owen-Pole’s interest in computer science started with her dad, Darren Owen, who taught her about computers and coding, and who recently earned himself a masters degree.

“She saw the hard work, sweat and tears, and a thoroughly enjoyable experience for me,” he said.

Building on that initial interest, Owen-Pole took a dual credit course offered through Chinook’s Edge and Olds College of Agriculture and Technology. This experience opened the door for her to pursue a summer internship with Delphi Technology, where she explored how virtual reality can help to train airplane pilots.

“I’ve spent many years in the Air Cadet program so it was great to combine my love of airplanes and flying with computer science,” she said.

Owen-Pole also participated in school science fairs and this year, even earned an invitation to the national science fair. Her project involved observing her pet mouse’s movements through a maze in relation to developing computer algorithms.

According to Pike, in addition to her commitment to her STEM studies, Owen-Pole tutors other students extensively, is the only female on the school football team, and is in the jazz band and concert band.

“Jules is naturally a smart student, but it is her work ethic that takes it to the next level. Jules is the opposite of passive; she is an active learner and citizen in our school. As a result, many look to her as a leader and a mentor. Jules epitomizes what it means to be a Kodiak, and so we are thrilled for her to have received this scholarship,” said Dean Nielsen, principal of the school.

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