Soleil's Big Decision

Soleil Chahine just declined a pile of scholarships.

 

Encouraged by faculty to apply to a number of universities, Soleil received offers of scholarships from all five institutions. While this reduced her worries as she wrote her final exams this month, it necessitated a difficult decision.

 

Her choice, Acadia University, was based in part on similarities she perceived between that environment and the one in which she’d just achieved such meritorious results, the Halifax Grammar School. Small classes in which students and teachers know each other and work together to realize their full potential. Celebration of all facets of student life: academic, athletic, and artistic, with an energetic commitment to community service.

 

Still, it wasn’t an easy decision. Soleil will study medicine, and was one of only 39 students interviewed by Queen’s University (of more than 1000 applicants) for their prestigious Accelerated Route to Medical School (QuARMS) program. Only Chancellor’s Scholarship nominees may apply to QuARMS.

 

The class of scholarship Soleil was offered by these institutions – President’s, Chancellor’s - is sometimes described as “major”, sometimes “top”, sometimes “prestigious”. Recipients possess more than academic merit; they also must demonstrate leadership, original thinking, community service and other outstanding characteristics. Soleil points to two particular aspects of her education at Grammar which she feels contributed especially to her strong applications: her role as Head Girl, and the CAS component (Creativity Action Service) of the International Baccalaureate.

 

The Head Girl and Boy of the school are involved in all aspects of school life, planning student events, attending community events as ambassadors, leading student council, and many other activities that build leadership. Soleil was elected to this position based in part on her experience as editor of the newspaper and director of the musical.  She says she learned a lot as Head Girl, about problem solving in the moment, time management, and juggling deadlines under pressure.

 

She learned a lot from her CAS work as well, including how vital community service is to her personal happiness.  She credits CAS and the IB for this directly, explaining that with managing classwork, basketball, Head Girl responsibilities and her weekend shifts at Subway restaurant, she might not have undertaken community work on her own. But meeting the CAS requirement revealed the true meaning of the Grammar School motto “Enter to Learn, Exit to Serve”. Soleil volunteers at the Northwood seniors’ residence and SuperNOVA youth science camp, and will continue her work with them after graduation, throughout the summer. She has already contacted organizations in Wolfville about volunteer opportunities for this fall.

 

Soleil’s three years at HGS were busy, but they were also fun-filled. She is excited for her younger sister, who will begin her studies at Grammar in September in grade ten just as Soleil did. “I didn’t know what to expect, but it was so welcoming, even the students who started here in Primary said they felt like I had always been here.” Soleil found the academics challenging when she arrived, but soon discovered that the legendary HGS faculty dedication to their students smooths that transition in no time. “Your teachers just really make sure you are getting it,” she explains. “If you don’t do well on one test, they work with you individually towards the next one.”

 

Soleil’s teachers will miss her in the classroom next year, but look forward to seeing her at alumni events!