MBCI grad earns $80K scholarship

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This article was published 06/07/2015 (4032 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Thanks to hard work, a keen mind and just a little luck, a recent MBCI grad is one giant step closer to realizing his academic dreams.

Christopher Dyck, 18, is one of two upcoming University of Manitoba first-year students awarded Schulich Leader scholarships. A four-year award totalling between $60,000 and $80,000, Schulich Leader scholarships are awarded annually to high school graduates enrolling in a science, technology, engineering or mathematics undergraduate program at participating universities in Canada and Israel.

“(It) was pretty amazing to be picked ,” Dyck told The Herald a couple days after his graduation from Mennonite Brethren Collegiate Institute, where he had been a student since Grade 6. He said that being nominated by MBCI for the scholarship came as a surprise.

“I wasn’t exactly sure how to react, since it’s such a big amount of money,” Dyck said about the $80,000 award.

Dyck described his growing passion for science as a “journey.”

“I don’t know if I was really interested in science when I was younger,” the North Kildonan resident said. “But as I learned more and more about it I got more interested in it. I started researching stuff on my own time outside of class. That was more of an exponential growth in my interest in science.”

Two teachers in particular helped foster Dyck’s interest — Andrew Hiebert and Steve Warkentine.

“Mr. Hiebert and Mr. Warkentine were both very passionate,” he said. “When I had opportunities to see them after class, I did. They really helped me forge what kind of path I want to follow.”

Dyck also gave credit to MBCI for providing a challenging academic environment.

“The lessons and the homework assignments were really involved, so working my way through all those things helped me as well.”

Starting in September, Dyck will be enrolled in the University of Manitoba’s engineering program.

“I like more theoretical science,” he explained. “Electrical engineering, where you can’t see all of it, like electromagnetic fields, that kind of stuff interests me more (than) like civil or mechanical engineering.”

Dyck said that he is also interested in studying physics at the post-secondary level.
“I’d like to be a particle physicist, or nuclear physicist,” he said. “I think working at the Large Hadron Collider would be my dream job.”

The Schulich Leader Scholarships were established in 2012 by Seymour Schulich. The $100 million scholarship fund is intended to “encourage our best and brightest students to be the next pioneers of global scientific research and innovation.”

One hundred scholarships are awarded annually, allowing Schulich Leaders to devote their full time and attention to their studies.

“Essentially, I can live out my dreams,” Dyck said. “This scholarship means everything to me for my higher education.”

For the next two months, Dyck plans to enjoy the break from his studies.

“When I study for exams, all I can think of is that I can’t do anything,” he said. “So now, I think I just want to relax and hang around with friends.”

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