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Former Westwood Collegiate student Mark Hearson was one of 11 Canadians who were awarded a Rhodes Scholarship to the University of Oxford for 2012

St. James and Headingley have a Rhodes Scholar in their midst.

Mark Hearson was recently awarded a Rhodes scholarship, considered the most prestigious educational prize in the world, to study at the University of Oxford in England later this year.

"It’s pretty amazing," said Hearson, a Headingley resident who graduated from Westwood Collegiate in 2007, and also attended Lincoln and Sansome schools.

"I was pretty nervous. Probably more nervous to get the phone call than when I was in the interview."

Hearson, who turns 23 in March, was one of 10 shortlisted candidates across the prairie provinces who interviewed for a scholarship in Edmonton during a weekend in November.

He was one of only 11 to win the award in Canada and was the only one to win one in Manitoba. Only 83 scholarships are awarded across the world.

Hearson, who is set to complete his civil engineering studies at the University of Manitoba in May, said he applied more on a whim than anything.

"It wasn’t some long-term aspiration of mine," Hearson said, noting he was intending on applying to a master’s program at U of M.

Hearson noted his sister had once been shortlisted for the scholarship, but was not accepted. She later studied at the London School of Economics.

"Knowing of the experience there in an international community made me want to apply for it," he said.

Hearson has applied for a master of philosophy in Oxford’s School of Geography and the Environment, the closest he says he can get to continue working in transportation engineering, planning and policy.

His first term will start in October. The scholarship covers all tuition and school-related fees, and includes a stipend for housing costs.

School division superintendent Ron Weston said Hearson is the first Rhodes Scholar in his 10-year tenure, and might be the first in the division’s history.

Hearson is "well-deserving," said Weston, adding he worked with Hearson on a number of student committees.

"He was involved student government and activities around Westwood. He was a visible student," he said. "He was a very bright young fellow."

The scholarship is a testament to Mark’s intelligence and commitment, and the ground work that was laid by teachers in the division, he said.

"It’s our hope that we can give the skills and tools to every one of our students to achieve such a high standard," he said.

"It tells kids that if you work hard and pay attention to your academics, you can be rewarded."

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matt.preprost@canstarnews.com