When it comes to scholarships, it seems Jessica Janzen hit the jackpot.
Recognized for her community leadership, Janzen, a grade 12 student at MSS, was awarded a TD Canada Trust Scholarship valued at $70,000 along with 19 other students from across the country.
Winners were selected from more than 3,400 high school applicants by a panel of judges that examined their ongoing contributions within their communities.
Janzen, who has been actively involved in the Smart Step Youth Association as well as other school and community activities and initiatives received the award in Toronto on May 5 after initially applying in October.
“I was really shocked,” recalled Janzen. “I’m glad I got this for me, but its nice for my mom and dad as well so they don’t have to pay for my education.”
The university scholarship, which is valued at up to $70,000 for the recipient’s future studies is valid for a period of four years. Each year $10,000 will go directly towards the Canadian institution to cover tuition – in Janzen’s case the University of Victoria – while Janzen will receive $7,500 each year to cover living expenses. On top of this, TD Canada Trust will offer her summer employment for four years.
Janzen submitted her original application in October after learning about the award from a friend. The written application involved submitting a 600 word essay outlining her community leadership involvement as well as a number of letters of support. In December she learned she had been selected for an interview, which took place in Vancouver on Feb. 1.
“I was nervous, but it actually went by really fast,” said Janzen. “There were five evaluators and it was actually a fun interview – they just wanted to get to know me a bit more.”
By the end of February she learned in a telephone call that she had been selected as a winner and flew to Toronto from May 4-6 with her mother to participate in a conference and accept the award. For three days Janzen attended workshops and activities with the other winners including adding bark mulch in Toronto’s Franklin Park to help rebuild the forest floor.
“Basically we had an itinerary from 8 a.m. to midnight,” said Janzen. “It was really cool to meet people who are doing the same things and have the same mindset.”
According to the TD website, the Scholarship for Community Leadership rewards students who have shown leadership in many areas including environmental cleanup, the promotion of social issues and the fight against child poverty to name a few.
For Janzen, she considers her involvement in Smart Step to be her most significant contribution to the community. Since two years ago when Janzen assisted Nicholas Kang in organizing the program, Janzen has assisted in recruiting youth and training them through seminars, besides helping with the youth sports program that runs throughout the summer to raise money for local charities.
“I didn’t really know that it would help me so much, but Nick had the idea and I got on board and stayed involved since then.”
With graduation just around the corner, Janzen continues to juggle her various activities and is off to the rugby provincial championships with her team this week.
