A Powell River-raised student has earned a prestigious scholarship as a result of his commitment to his studies, the environment and making the world a better place.
Those who know him know that Graham May, a graduate of Brooks Secondary School, is a committed young man with a seemingly endless amount of energy to put toward causes he believes passionately in. Mount Allison University in New Brunswick has also recognized this and has honoured May with a $48,000 scholarship that will pay for the majority of May’s tuition and living expenses over his four years of undergraduate study.
Mount Allison’s Bell
Scholarship and Achievement Awards are given to students with a demonstrated commitment to academics, leadership, volunteer work, extracurricular activities, work experience and “good citizenship,” according to a university press release. May, who is in his first year at the university and working toward a degree in international relations and environmental studies, said it was a lengthy process to apply for the scholarship but that he couldn’t be more excited about the honour.
“I absolutely could not believe it,” said May. “It was a surreal experience, it truly was. It was a very, very good welcoming gift to the university lifestyle.”
May said a wonderful bonus of getting the scholarship is becoming part of the community of recipients. Only about 12 people receive the scholarship in any given year, so those who do tend to get to know each other and network on initiatives they’re involved in.
“You’re already friends with 12 people who you can count on that are very, very engaged and very, very willing to help you with your projects,” said May. “That’s one of the best parts.”
In his first year at the university May has been active in the Eco-Action Society, a student group devoted to environmental sustainability and awareness. One of its main projects is to have plastic bags banned from the campus and the community of Sackville where the university is located. May is also a member of Leadership Mount Allison, a student leadership program, and has been involved in launching a bike co-op set to hit the streets of Sackville this spring.
One of the conditions of the scholarship requires May to stay involved with extracurricular activities, which he couldn’t be happier about and sees as a justification to put as much focus on his passions
as he does on his studies.
May’s most recent endeavour is a bike trip he is planning for this summer that will see him cycle from British Columbia across the nation to Newfoundland and Labrador before heading down to Mount Allison to begin his second year of studies. May might also have to take a break in the three-month trip to attend a United Nations conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in June as part of another project he has on the go.
Before he sets off though, May is coming back to Powell River for the beginning of summer. He said he misses the wilderness here and is looking forward to spending some time at home.
