By Communications Staff

Two Queen’s students are among the 2013 winners of a prestigious national scholarship. Sophia Miao and Jamie-Lee Freeston both earned the Schulich Leader Scholarship, valued at $60,000 over four years.

The annual program recognizes students across Canada who demonstrate academic excellence and community leadership and who are planning to study science, technology, engineering or math at one of 20 Canadian institutions.

Sophia Miao

"We congratulate Sophia and Jamie-Lee for being recognized for their academic excellence and outstanding leadership and we are delighted they have chosen to pursue their post-secondary studies at Queen's," says Vice-Provost and Dean of Student Affairs Ann Tierney.

Sophia Miao graduated from Bernice MacNaughton High School in Moncton, New Brunswick and is pursuing the first year of a Bachelor of Science program at Queen’s. She says becoming a Schulich Leader has been a humbling experience.

"This scholarship isn’t simply an alleviation of a financial burden; it creates a realm of possibilities,” says Ms. Miao. “The Schulich Leader Scholarship has challenged me to reach higher, contribute more to the community, and experience incredible personal growth. I am so grateful for this amazing opportunity and I am honoured to be a Schulich Leader at Queen’s.”

Jamie-Lee Freeston, a graduate of Chippewa Secondary School in North Bay, Ontario is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering. Ms. Freeston says the scholarship has already opened many doors and allowed her to focus on the broader student experience.

Jamie-Lee Freeston

“With this scholarship, I am able to become more involved in my school community, including playing intramural sports, and being a member of my engineering year executive,” says Ms. Freeston. “Having been recognized has also given me more confidence, self-esteem and has been a catalyst to network and reach out to as many students as I can, to try and make their time at Queen’s as equally as enjoyable as mine. I am extremely grateful for this gift.”

Schulich Leader Scholarships were created by Canadian business leader and philanthropist Seymour Schulich. The program is managed by the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto. In addition to the Canadian program, there is a Schulich Leader Scholarships program in Israel. The $100-million scholarship initiative was implemented to secure the future economic competitiveness of Canada and Israel and is designed to ensure that future Canadian and Israeli leaders are among the next pioneers of global scientific research and innovation.

In 2013 there are 40 Canadian and 10 Israeli Schulich Leaders.

The program was established in 2012 and there are now four Schulich Leaders pursuing their post-secondary goals at Queen’s.

The nomination period for 2014 opens is now open, and high schools across Canada have until Feb. 4, 2014 to select their scholarship candidates. The student nominees then have until February 25, 2014 to submit their application to UJA Federation of Greater Toronto.

More information on the Schulich Leader Scholarship program and application process