2018 McEuen Scholar is Katherine Lacroix

Katherine Lacroix, 18, will be attending St. Andrews as the 2018 McEuen Scholar. Currently studying in the rigorous SLA (Science, Letters and Arts) program at Collège Jean-de Brébeuf in Montreal, Ms. Lacroix was awarded the scholarship, based on her strong academic record and personal merit.

Catching up with her the week after the announcement revealed an enthusiastic student already planning how to get the most from her upcoming experience. 

"All in all, I believe that St. Andrews is the perfect fit for the person I am now and the person I intend to become," Katherine said. “The university’s 600-year history in the humanities is in itself an overwhelming reason to go there.”

Katherine will be enrolling in the International Affairs program and following in the footsteps of illustrious alumni that include Her Excellency Barbara Woodward, British Ambassador to China and Dame Anne Pringle, former British ambassador to the Czech Republic and to Russia.

Katherine sees immense value in getting out of her geographic and cultural comfort zone and says she has lived within a two-kilometre radius most of her life. She does have ties to Scotland through her mother's family: great-great-grandfather George Ross Haig Sims, of clan Haig of Bemersyde.

Between the university's arduous admissions process and the McEuen application requirements, Katherine did find time to read up on the McEuen's vision and history in Revive and Grow Strong, a history she is now part of.

"This is an absolutely surreal experience that I still cannot quite fathom. I look forward to representing Canada and the McEuen Scholarship Award at the University of St Andrews.”