NLIS 1
May 19, 2004
(Education)

 

Minister announces International Baccalaureate scholarship winners

Education Minister John Ottenheimer today announced the three winners of this year's International Baccalaureate (IB) scholarships. One student will travel to British Columbia to attend the United World College (UWC), while the remaining two students will attend Holy Heart of Mary High School in St. John's.

Diane Simone Warren, a Level II student from Southwest Arm Academy, Little Heart's Ease, was selected as the recipient of this year's Lester B. Pearson Scholarship, and will travel to Victoria in the fall to begin a two-year course of study at UWC. The total value of the Pearson Scholarship, which is a two-year program, is approximately $52,000 per student. This province pays half the value of the scholarship with the remaining half coming from the college. Ms. Warren is among 100 students selected from more than 80 countries around the world to attend UWC.

A selection committee is established annually, with representation from the Department of Education, the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers' Association, Memorial University, private industry and a recent provincial graduate of Pearson College. After the initial screening process, several candidates are short-listed for personal interviews and a winner is then selected.

"Each year, the selection committee has the unenviable task of choosing one student to receive this scholarship," said Minister Ottenheimer. "On behalf of the Department of Education, I applaud all those who applied, and extend sincere congratulations to Ms. Warren. I am confident her time at UWC will set the groundwork for her future success."

Lester B. Pearson Collegiate in British Columbia is one of 10 United World Colleges worldwide that offer the internationally acclaimed diploma program. For three decades, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, has partnered with Lester B. Pearson College in offering one scholarship each year to a student from this province.

In addition to the United World Colleges, there are 1,425 high schools worldwide which offer the IB program. In 2000, Holy Heart of Mary High School became one of these schools, and is the only high school in the province to offer the program as a part of its established curriculum. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador provides two scholarships valued at $12,000 each for two students outside the St. John's area to attend the IB program at Holy Heart.

This year's scholarships were awarded to Stephanie Smith from Port Rexton, attending Bishop White All Grade School, and Sheralyn Rumbolt from Norris Point, attending Gros Morne Academy, Rocky Harbour.

"Ms. Smith and Ms. Rumbolt are both outstanding academic students who have demonstrated a strong commitment to student and community life through their participation in a wide range of extra-curricular and volunteer accomplishments," noted the minister. "We are pleased to be able to provide this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to these two gifted young people. I am sure they will excel in the academic aspects of the program, and develop as leaders."

The International Baccalaureate program is a demanding, pre-university course of study designed for highly motivated high school students, which offers a comprehensive international curriculum, and stresses critical thinking and inter-cultural understanding. Participating students complete a set of international exams at the end of the program and graduate with the world-respected International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma, and are well prepared to enter university with advanced standing.

Media contact: Lynn Salter, Communications, (709) 729-0048

2004 05 19                                      10:25 a.m.


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