(Fort McMurray, AB, May 9, 2022) It’s one of the largest Canadian awards, and Fort McMurray Public School Division (FMPSD) is proud to congratulate Rion Schulz for being one of the students who won the $100,000 Schulich Leader Scholarship! The grade 12 École McTavish Public High School student was recently named one of only 100 winners across Canada!
Described as “Canada’s most coveted” undergraduate prize, Schulich Leader Scholarships are awarded to “entrepreneurial-minded high school graduates enrolling in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Math program at 20 partner universities across Canada.”
Rion, 18, has secured Honours with Distinction throughout high school. He is a French immersion student, and was nominated for the Scholarship by his school, and workplace, Greenplanet Energy Analytics. He will receive the Scholarship from the University of Alberta where he is heading to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Engineering, specializing in either Electrical or Mechanical Engineering.
“I am extremely grateful to receive the Schulich Leader Scholarship. I am proud to represent my community, my school, the Greenplanet Energy Analytics team, my family and my friends. I would like to thank all those who supported me in achieving my goals and making this wonderful opportunity possible,” enthuses Rion.
“It is my academic and career goal to align energy technologies that offer global solutions while equally recognizing potential for rural and remote communities. Subsequently, I will focus on meaningful community involvement opportunities that benefit marginalized groups and focus on environmental stewardship. In addition to volunteer opportunities, I will focus on securing employment that aligns with my strong interest in renewable energy technologies,” he explains.
At McTavish Rion is actively involved in athletics (currently soccer, track and field and rugby). In the community, he volunteers as a youth soccer referee to “develop sportsmanship and teamwork throughout the sport.”
“Furthermore, as a member of the Greenplanet Energy Analytics team, I work as a Technology and Business Assistant to assist in the development of renewable energy, energy efficiency, low-carbon emission and electrification projects throughout Canada. Projects include the Three Nations Energy solar farm which is currently showcased at Expo 2020 in Dubai and has received numerous awards including an Alberta Emerald Award and Canada Clean 50 award,” explains Rion.
“I also assisted with the remote cabin solar program which includes the installation of solar PV arrays and battery storage on Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation (ACFN) cabins. ACFN members can enjoy increased time on the land while reducing the need for fuel and noisy generators. While supporting these projects, I also created many educational energy efficiency fact sheets that quantified savings in simple language to better educate the public on these initiatives. Other areas of work include: electric vehicle development, green hydrogen initiatives and many more. I am grateful to be given the opportunity to focus on meaningful community involvement opportunities that benefit marginalized groups and focus on environmental stewardship.”
Thomas Andrews, Acting Principal, McTavish High School, can’t say enough about Rion.
“We are very proud of what Rion has accomplished. Winning the $100,000 Schulich Leader Scholarship is no small feat. We know he will learn and do amazing things at the University of Alberta. I've had the opportunity to see Rion’s progress since he was in grade 5 at École Dickinsfield School and through École McTavish High School. We cannot wait to see the amazing things he does going forward, and the opportunities this prestigious honour opens up for him.”
Annalee Nutter, Superintendent, FMPSD congratulated him.
“Rion has not only made FMPSD proud, but Fort McMurray and Alberta too. He has already achieved so much at 18, we know his future will be remarkable. And, we can’t wait to see what’s next for him.”
Congratulations Rion!
For more information, please contact:
Kiran Malik-Khan
Communications Consultant
FMPSD
kiran.malikkhan@fmpsd.ab.ca