Originally from Benin City, Nigeria, James has lived in Australia, the USA, and Canada, attending more than 10 schools. This diverse upbringing has exposed him to various cultural backgrounds, enriching his global perspective.

At Memorial High School, James actively served in the Student Government, advocating for his peers and spearheading initiatives to enhance the school community. He is also a dedicated member of the Interact Club, contributing to fundraising efforts for local and international causes such as the J Street Youth Centre and Doctors Without Borders. Additionally, James participated in the Canadian Senior Mathematics Contest and volunteered for the Headstart program, assisting incoming grade 9 students in their transition to high school.

James will be studying medicine at the University of St Andrews. He currently volunteers at Northside General Hospital, providing valuable support and comfort to patients.

The McEuen Scholarship is the largest single undergraduate scholarship awarded annually in Canada.
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"I am a recent graduate of the international baccalaureate program at Branksome Hall in Toronto. During my time at Branksome I was actively engaged in numerous co-curricular activities including ASL Club, Sustainability Council, Dance Company, and Sunnyview. One of the most rewarding opportunities I had at Branksome was my time volunteering and leading the group of volunteers at Sunnyview Public school, working with children with complex physical, developmental, and/or medical and health needs. I am grateful to have been awarded the Lieutenant Governor’s Community Volunteer Award. 

Outside of school, I danced competitively from the age of 5 in styles such as jazz and contemporary. I also participated in a public health internship through a non-profit organization called Leadership Initiatives. During this internship I worked with my team in Canada as well as my project coordinators in the United States and Nigeria to design public health campaigns and community workshops, focusing on topics such as maternal health and vaccinations, for rural and underserved communities in Bauchi State, Nigeria.

Furthermore, I am a passionate volunteer at the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital where I work in therapeutic recreation with inpatients ages 0-6 in the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Team and Special Orthopedic Developmental Rehabilitation Team. This summer I look forward to volunteering in the emergency department at the Hospital for Sick Children. 

I cannot wait to begin my education at the University of St. Andrews where I will be studying medicine in the A990 Canadian Direct Entry Medical Program. I am beyond grateful and honored to have been awarded the 2023 McEuen Scholarship and I am very excited for all the opportunities to come. I look forward to representing this scholarship and the McEuen Scholarship Foundation at St. Andrews this fall”. 
Congratulations Katharine!

A grade 12 student at Elmwood School (Ottawa) in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, Madighan is the co-founder and leader of SAGA (Sexuality and Gender Alliance), part of the Ottawa Regional Youth Choir, and a French and English Tutor at The Boys and Girls Club. Her hobbies include photography and trail running.

During her time at Elmwood, Madighan lived for a month in Kowak, a small village in the north of Tanzania and worked on a potable water project.

"In 2019, I witnessed first-hand the impacts of environmental degradation. I had the privilege of leading a project which served to rectify a desperate lack of potable water in Kowak, a small village in the north of Tanzania. They had seen mortality rates skyrocket as they were plagued with atypical environmental extremes including drought. I worked in Kowak for a period of time without charity or government organization or aid (in addition to which I raised $20 000 to finance the water tanks which I designed and that currently successfully collect rainwater during monsoon season for use during drought season). My experience there offered me insight as to how changemakers must act going forward in an increasingly globalized world. To advocate for change in the environmental world, I look forward to intensifying my knowledge on international issues interwoven with anthropological issues in the natural world. I wish to be a positive leader in learning to challenge my own biases by developing cultural awareness and a more international perspective."

Madighan will be studying in the Faculty of Arts at the University of St Andrews for a Master of Arts (Honours) in International Relations and Sustainable Development. She is interested in participating in the University's extra-curriculars such as the Wildlife and Conservation Club, Photography Society and the A Cappella singing groups.

Congratulations Madighan!

When Marika Schenkels left her home of Nova Scotia at 16 to begin her studies at Lester B. Pearson College on Vancouver Island, she never dreamt her next journey would take her even further from home, to attend the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.

Every year, it is a pleasure and honour for the McEuen Foundation to offer this unique opportunity to one of Canada's brightest students. The scholarship is the largest single undergraduate award in the country and includes full tuition and room and board for up to four years.
Marika is completing her final International Baccalaureate exams at Pearson College and will leave in September to enrol in BSc Honours degree in Medicine. Upon completion, she hopes to continue medical training in Canada. Marika attended South Colchester Academy (SCA) in Brookfield, Nova Scotia, prior to completing the two-year program in Victoria.
At SCA, Marika was involved with science fair (at both a regional and Canada-wide level), SCA TV, Skills Canada TV/Video Competition, her school’s volleyball program as a player and coach and Because I am A Girl human rights initiative. She also worked as a swim instructor and lifeguard. She was awarded the Lieutenant Governor’s Medal in 2017. At Pearson, Marika was a co-leader of the school’s scuba program, was involved in the school’s gumboot dance program, acted as a bilingual interpreter for a national marine science project and co-led a Learn-to-Swim program for her peers. 
Marika’s combined interest in health and living close to the water continues this summer as she looks forward to job at her beloved Camp Sheldrake on the Miramichi River as the Health and Wellness co-ordinator and counsellor.
“Through moving between these small yet wonderful communities, I have learned how much I value and depend on them. I can’t wait to become part of the community at St. Andrews,” she says.
Marika feels honoured, excited and humbled to be the recipient of the McEuen Scholarship and hopes she can contribute a bit of Nova Scotian enthusiasm to the storied university in St. Andrews. 

Dr. Barry Beckett, Elise Aylen and John Aylen, the selection committee of the McEuen Scholarship Foundation, met on April 27 to interview a short list of candidates for the 2017 scholarship.
 
This year’s winner is Malcolm Risk, who is completing his last year at Upper Canada College in Toronto. Malcolm has been accepted into the Master of Arts (Honours Mathematics – Philosophy) program at St. Andrews as of September 11 of this year. Malcolm impressed the selection committee with his discussion of how mathematics is relevant in the real world and its place in philosophical arguments, combined with his background knowledge of the McEuen family history and the aim of their scholarship.
 
On being told he’d won the scholarship, Malcolm was both shocked and honoured he’d been chosen as the recipient. “The opportunity to attend St Andrews is an incredible one and I know from my visit to the school that there is no place I'd rather be studying,” he said. “From debating, to studying math and philosophy, to getting closer to my Scottish heritage, there are so many things I'm excited to do next year. I'd like to express my heartfelt thanks to the foundation for their immense generosity and to the selection committee for the honour of my selection.”

Malcolm brings an impressive set of skills and accomplishment to St. Andrews including stellar marks in the International Baccalaureate Diploma. He’s a chess player, a debater, oboe player, lacrosse and squash player, widely recognized with awards for both his academic and athletic performance.

Barry Becket, Elise Aylen and John Aylen, the selection committee of the McEuen Scholarship Foundation, met on April 29 to interview a short list of candidates for the 2016 scholarship. This year’s winner is Isaac Bonisteel, who is completing his last year at Pearson College in Victoria, BC. Isaac has been accepted into Medicine at St. Andrews as of September 5 of this year. He intends to return to New Harbour to practice Medicine subsequently. 

On being told he’d won the scholarship, Isaac said he’d felt a great flood of emotions. “My heart rate practically doubled and an uncontainable smile formed on my lips. Over the past week I have had an opportunity to reflect on just how immense an opportunity I have been presented with, an opportunity that I am deeply thankful for and will cherish always.”

Isaac will bring an impressive set of skills and accomplishments to St. Andrews, including the highest marks possible in the International Baccalaureate Diploma. He impressed the selection committee with impeccable marks, outstanding leadership potential and participation in any number of extra-curricular activities including volunteer initiatives, provincial soccer, acting and playwriting, and the scuba diving program at Pearson. 

Congratulations, Issac!

Kasey Killam is the recipient of the 2015 McEuen Scholarship. Kasey is finishing her final year of high school at Petitcodiac Regional School in Petitcodiac, New Brunswick. She lives in the nearby community of Havelock with her parents and younger sister.

Kasey has several significant achievements including a first place essay in the 2013 Northrup Frye Provincial Writing Contest, first place crystal (copper II sulfate) in the 2014-2015 Provincial Crystal Growing Contest organized by the Chemical Institute of Canada, and Highest Academic Achievement for her grade level in 2012, 2013, and 2014. Kasey is also a certified lifeguard, is fluent in French, and enjoys volunteering with her youth group.

Some of Kasey’s other hobbies include skiing, reading, travelling, and playing soccer, a sport in which her high school team holds three consecutive provincial titles.

Kasey says she is  excited to attend the University of St Andrews and thanks her family, friends, and teachers for their overwhelming support and guidance. Following her undergraduate studies in Medicinal Chemistry, Kasey plans on continuing her education at the graduate level. Kasey hopes to someday work in pharmaceutical research helping to find treatments and cures for the many diseases facing our society today.
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We received the following note from Kasey.

Zorbey Turkalp (2010 McEuen Scholar) gave a TEDx talk in June 2014 into the question of whether classical music, with its complexity and richness, help abate the onset of dementia.