SHS alumni win University of Alberta Augustana scholarships

By Miriam Ostermann, Associate Editor

Over the years, certain students’ photos make it onto the wall of Karen Harris’ office, one of Strathmore High School’s (SHS) guidance counsellors.
One of those photos belongs to fourth year University of Alberta (U of A) Augustana Campus student Mofiyinfoluwa (Dami) Lawal who, while at SHS, made a lasting impression on staff with her enthusiasm, loud voice, and academically motivated and community conscious mind.
Lawal is one of three SHS alumni at the campus that continue to contribute to the high school’s pride by excelling in their academic achievements and school involvement, having been awarded scholarships this year.
Lawal, her brother Joshua Lawal and Lane Anderson are among 346 U of A Augustana students who received awards for the 2017-18 academic year.
A total of $749,500 was provided to the U of A and Augustana Campus to recognize excellence in academics, athletics, fine arts and leadership.
Lawal, who is in her fourth year Bachelor of Science with a major in Kinesiology and Physical Education and a minor in Biology, received a total of $2,000 through the Rathnavalu Family Award in student leadership, as well as the Rotary Club of Camrose Scholarship. Furthermore, she was the recipient of the $1,000 Jason Lang Scholarship.
With a GPA of 3.8, the SHS alum has dedicated the last four years to volunteering. Some of her leadership roles include volunteering with hospitals, helping international students and acting as a peer mentor, starting a dance group, and taking on the role of resident assistant as well as campus ambassador for prospective students. The scholarship money has already lessened her financial burden towards her aspirations of applying to grad school and pursuing medicine.
“It makes me feel proud because a lot of people apply for these things, and I’m very proud of knowing that I can achieve things when I put my mind to them,” Lawal said. “I feel it’s important (to volunteer) because people did give to me, they helped, they reminded me that it’s important to help out where you can. In high school when I first moved here I didn’t know the importance of volunteering. They challenged me to grow into all these roles in high school.”
Lawal was born and raised in Nigeria and moved with her family to Strathmore in 2011. Education was always important to Lawal and she credits Harris for steering her towards U of A Augustana Campus and helping with the application process.
“Dami is quite the character, was quite a treat to teach, and was always very academically motivated but very conscious about the school as well,” said Harris.
“Strathmore High School has a long running history of our students going to Augustana and getting great scholarships. I think it’s because the school itself makes an effort to divvy out as much money as they can but also they really take notice of students who have come with leadership skills.”
Lawal’s brother Joshua, who is a second year Bachelor of Science student, was awarded the Dr. Craig and Jacqueline D. Norstrom Award for a total of $1,900. Lane Anderson, who was also recognized for his athletic skills in soccer, is a third year Bachelor of Management student and received an Augustana Faculty Fine Arts Award in Choral in the amount of $700. Scholarships such as the Rathnavalu Family Award and the Rotary Club of Camrose Scholarship are donor-funded awards from members of the community, with funds then being allocated by the university.
“We are just delighted,” said Lacey Fleming, awards and financial aid administrator at the University of Alberta. “These are individuals in the community who want to support students who are doing really well and doing good things. So it’s an acknowledgement from not just us but also from the donors that these students are really excelling in their academic and personal lives.”