Eva El-Taha uses a lot of words to describe her feelings about being selected this year’s winner of the James Boughner Scholarship.
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“Grateful, that’s one for sure,” said El-Taha, a 17-year-old graduate of North Park Collegiate. “Surprised is another, so is humbled and relieved.
“This isn’t something I expected but it’s something that is going to have a major impact on my life that’s for sure.”
Named after a retired Brantford businessman and philanthropist, the $25,000 scholarship is presented annually to one student from one of the six high schools in Brantford and Brant County.
To qualify, students must have an academic average of 80 per cent or better and a record of contributing to their school and the broader community. As well, students must have been accepted into an Ontario university program and have a financial need.
“Winning this scholarship is like a dream, something I never thought possible,” she said. “This allows me to focus on my academics and transition smoothly to university, fully immerse myself and get the grades needed to maintain a good academic standing.”
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El-Taha said the level of stress relating to how she was going to pay for her schooling had definitely lessened as a result of the scholarship.
“It is also a representation of how far I have come from the hours and hours I have put into school and the extra-curricular activities that I’ve been involved in,” El-Taha said. “It’s a tribute to how hard work really pays off and is an excellent motivator to continue as I have and strive to do my best.”
Born and raised in Brantford, El-Taha is the daughter of Palestinian refugees – Khaled El-Taha and Siba Issa. She is humbled by their story of coming to Canada.
El-Taha said she is grateful for their support and the assistance so many others have helped shape her life.
“High school has shaped me in so many ways,” she said. “My favorite part would be learning the subjects I enjoy and those I don’t but I also enjoyed building deep connections with friends.
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“I enjoyed being a mentor as a Link Crew leader and of course having some fun.”
The Link Crew provides mentorship to first year students making the transition to high school from elementary. She was also part of a book club and the UN Interact Club.
The Interact Club holds various events in support of local organizations such as Y Not City Missions and the Brantford Food Bank.
El-Taha was also part of the school’s health and wellness group.
In the fall, El-Taha will be attending the University of Waterloo in a new program that will earn her a Doctorate degree in pharmacy in six years.
“Choosing a career path was no easy feat,” El-Taha said. “I’m very much the planner type so from a young age I was exploring all the different paths I can take. I am academically inclined but there is also an element of sociability to my personality that I wanted to account for. “
Her mother, a pharmacy assistant, suggested she look into pharmacology.
At present, she hopes to be a pharmacist in either a research position, hospital setting or a retail environment.
“Although I have been thinking about the possibility of venturing into being a professor,” El-Taha said, “that is still a long way away. So nothing is solidified in terms of an end point just yet.”
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