2004 PREMIER’S EXCELLENCE AWARD WINNERS

Sarah Bazinet is from Barriere, where she graduated from Barriere secondary school. She won the University College of the Cariboo’s Ambassador Scholarship, as well as a Provincial Scholarship Award. She was also on the Principal’s List from 1999 to 2004 and received the Governor General’s Award for Barriere secondary in Grade 12. She was active in leadership and peer tutoring at Barriere and was team captain of her community softball team. Named Miss North Thompson Fall Fair and Rodeo Queen in 2003, she is studying business at UCC and plans to become an advertising promotion consultant.

Tara Commandeur is from Summerland, where she graduated from École Secondaire de Summerland. She won scholarships from the University of British Columbia and the Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation. She also won the Bourse de la Columbie-Britannique and the Canadian Merit Scholarship Foundation Honours Citation. Not only did she participate fully in school activities as a peer counsellor and tutor, but she also volunteered at the United Church and at the Museum and Tourist Information Centre in Summerland. She is studying anthropology at UBC and plans to teach at the university level and create an anthropology program for elementary and secondary schools in B.C.

Brittany Ewart is from Abbotsford, where she graduated from W.J. Mouat secondary. She won the Chancellor’s Award from UBC, a Provincial Scholarship Award, and the W.J. Mouat Jean Memorial Award in 2004. She was female senior athlete of the year at W.J. Mouat, where she was captain of her basketball and volleyball teams. She has also volunteered for the SPCA and Operation Christmas Child in her community. She is studying arts at UBC and plans to own a business specializing in sports medicine.

Florina Feng is from Richmond, and attended Sir Winston Churchill secondary in Vancouver. She won scholarships from UBC and a Provincial Scholarship Award, as well as the Churchill Award of Excellence based on academic achievements and extracurricular involvements. She participated in badminton, curling and track and field at school and was vice-president of the UNICEF Awareness Club. She also volunteered for the YMCA and at the Dogwood Lodge Senior Home. She earned a perfect score on her International Baccalaureate Diploma and is now studying sciences at UBC and plans to attend medical school or study pharmacy.

Matthew Folz is from Port Moody, where he graduated from Port Moody secondary. He won a scholarship from Simon Fraser University, as well as a Canada Millennium Excellence Award and the Phoenix Award as top all-round grad. He was the winner in the junior division of the Leonardo Da Vinci Exam in mathematics and physics, was a provincial medallist for the Canadian Open Mathematics Competition and qualified for the Canada Mathematical Olympiad. He was editor in chief of his school newspaper, The Phoenix, and founder of the Port Moody secondary math club. He is working towards a double major in mathematics and management and systems science at SFU.

Elizabeth Kruithof is from Delta, where she graduated from South Delta secondary. She won an Excellence Award for academic performance from the University of Victoria, as well as a Canada Millennium Scholarship and a Provincial Scholarship Award. A gifted mathematician, she was active on Grad Council and was one of the founding members of her school’s Global Awareness Club. She also volunteered for a variety of service organizations in her community, and has raised funds for Okanagan Fire Relief and World Vision, as well as environmental organizations. She is studying social sciences at UVic with an emphasis on environmental studies and clinical psychology.

Eiston Lo is from North Vancouver, where he graduated from Argyle secondary. He won a Chancellor’s Entrance Scholarship from UBC, a Canada Millennium Provincial Excellence Award and a Canadian Merit Foundation Scholarship. He was the recipient of the Top Citizen and Top Scholar Award at Argyle secondary four years in a row and played in concert jazz bands at school and on the North Shore. He co-founded the STAND (Students Together Advocating Non-Discrimination) club at Argyle and has presented workshops to elementary students addressing discrimination issues. He is studying political science and business at UBC and plans to become a professor doing research and teaching, or to become Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Erin Love is from Invermere, where she graduated from David Thompson secondary. She won a Governor General’s Award for top graduating student in her high school, a Science Council of B.C. award, the University of Victoria President’s Entrance Scholarship, and a Provincial Scholarship Award. She received the Honours Graduate Medal for maintaining honour roll status through high school, and in 2003 was accepted into the Heart and Stroke Foundation Summer Research Program. An accomplished ballet dancer, she was also named MVP in volleyball and basketball four years in a row. She is studying sciences at UVic and plans to attend medical school and specialize in cardiovascular surgery, neurosurgery or psychiatry.

Caitlin Lougheed is from Fort Nelson, where she graduated from Fort Nelson secondary. The Fort Nelson Chamber of Commerce chose her as its Youth of the Year in 2002 and its Athlete of the Year in 2003. She is an accomplished swimmer and has won numerous medals at the provincial swimming championships and earned Fort Nelson Swimmer of the Year honours for three years running. She played basketball and volleyball at school where she was named top academic student for several years and was a peer tutor and swim coach. She is studying science at SFU, hopes to join the varsity swimming team, and plans to become a veterinarian or physiotherapist.

Lani McPherson is from Crescent Valley, where she graduated from Mount Sentinel secondary. She received scholarships from the University of Northern B.C., as well as a Provincial Scholarship Award. She received a Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award for service, expedition and athletics. She was awarded the Top Senior Math and Science Award by her school and was on the honour roll from grades 8 to 12. She has been active in school leadership, dance, piano and soccer, in addition to spending a school year on a Rotary Exchange to Japan. She is studying environmental engineering at UNBC and plans to return to Japan.

Leanna Mitchell is from Smithers, where she graduated from Smithers secondary. She won a scholarship from the University of Victoria, as well as the Governor General’s Bronze Medal and a Provincial Scholarship Award. She is a past provincial champion in cross-country skiing as well as gymnastics, and she is a nationally certified coach. She volunteered at an orphanage in Guatemala during a school trip and acted as the delegation’s secondary translator. She is studying history and physics at UVic and plans to become a secondary school teacher.

Leslie Sanderson is from Quesnel, where she graduated from Quesnel secondary. She won the Chancellor’s Entrance Scholarship and the Undergraduate Scholar Program Scholarship from UBC as well as a Provincial Scholarship Award. She was the Top Academic Student in her grade from grades 8 to 12, in addition to competing in track and field, soccer and volleyball. An active Girl Guide, she earned her Canada Cord in 2000 and received the Chief Commissioner’s Gold Award in 2004. She is currently enrolled in sciences at UBC and plans to study biotechnology and pursue a career in medical research.

Amy Jean Singleton-Polster is from Duncan, where she graduated from Cowichan secondary. She won scholarships from UBC, as well as scholarships from the Girl Guides of Canada and Rotary Club. She received a Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award for skill, athletics, volunteer activity and expedition. She played rugby and field hockey at high school and is an active Girl Guide Assistant Leader and Ranger. She also educates youth on the dangers of smoking and co-founded Students for Diversity. She is studying sciences at UBC and plans to become a pediatrician and participate in the Doctors without Borders program.

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Media contact:	Paul Woolley Communications Director Ministry of Advanced Education 250 952-6508 cell 250 213-1171

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