These London

These London-area teens won big with $100K scholarships

Schulich Leader Scholarships are awarded to 100 Canadian students annually

Three southwestern Ontario high school graduates are getting ready for the next chapter of their lives with prestigious scholarships in hand.

They're among this year's recipients of the highly-competitive Schulich Leader Scholarship, which awards students heading to post-secondary school upwards of $100,000.

"It was definitely a pinch-me moment and still is, just because it's such a life-changing opportunity," said scholarship winner and Kincardine District Senior School graduate Esha Gill.

"I thought it was not real. I definitely thought they were calling the wrong person."

Gill will begin a dual-degree in engineering and business at Western University in September, following in the footsteps of her engineer father and two sisters.

"It's been a lifelong passion to enter into engineering and it's a dream come true to get my offer at Western and also for the scholarship. It all worked out," Gill said.

Each year, 100 students across Canada are awarded the scholarship, which supports students pursuing studies in science, technology, engineering and math. Winning students must also demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, charisma, creativity and an entrepreneurial mindset, according to the scholarship's website.

Partner universities across the country, including Western University, review applications and select the recipients. A total of 10 of this year's Schulich's scholars will begin their studies at Western in the fall.

"I think what sets me and all the other Schulich scholars apart is our ability to just have a clear vision for the future and have a burning desire to make a dent in the universe," winner Angelo Placido said.

"Of course you should have good grades and extracurriculars, but you have to be able to showcase that you can lead."

Placido, a Regina Mundi Catholic College graduate, will pursue engineering at Western in September with a $120,000 Schulich scholarship.

"I've always been interested in solving and understanding how things work. I like how engineering combines creativity, math, science and real-world application," he said.

Scholarship winner and Westminster Secondary School graduate Lina Hout will also be heading to Western in September to study math.

"It was life-changing," said Hout, who won $100,000 from Schulich.

"Paying for university has been one of my biggest concerns throughout all of high school," she said. "Hearing that I won the scholarship made me completely stress-free. Now I don't have to worry about paying."

Placido said this next chapter of his life has been a long time coming, since he first moved to Canada from the Philippines in elementary school.

"I knew I had worked hard throughout high school, but receiving this life-changing scholarship felt unreal," Placido said. "It was an overall proud moment, not just for me, but my family as well."

Kendra Seguin is a reporter/editor with CBC London. She is interested in writing about music, culture and communities. You can probably find her at a local show or you can email her at kendra.seguin@cbc.ca.

With files from Michelle Both, Andrew Brown