Student of the month
Voted by her peers to be this year’s Princess Margaret Secondary School valedictorian, Kyla Finlayson is Rotary Student of the month for May.
In school, Finalyson loves sciences with biology being her favorite course. However, since she finished her Grade 12 science courses a year early, she is sad not to take any of those courses this year. Given that her overall average is currently at 99 per cent, she seems to enjoy the other courses in the curriculum as well.
Outside school, Finalyson loves music. She has been playing classical piano since she was five, and added the violin because she loves the sound. She learned to play saxophone in Grades 6 and 7, and switched to art and drama for high school. However, when the jazz band came to her this year because they needed a piano player, she couldn’t say no.
“Finding the time for the two jazz band practises a week with all my other activities, including being a peer-mentor to Grade 9 students, was challenging, but I still could do it. I enjoy doing a lot of things so I have to plan and manage my time to still have time to hang out with friends,” Finlayson says.
Last summer, she participated in an awardwinning enrichment and entrepreneurship program called SHAD. The program empowers exceptional high school students to make the world a better place.
Every July, about 900 of Canada’s best and brightest come together to experience the program’s unique experiential-learning rooted in the STEAM disciplines (science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics).
The program is looking for students who are wellrounded emerging leaders who demonstrate initiative, creativity and entrepreneurial flair. They are leaders in their schools, volunteers in their communities, and are often gifted musicians, artists and athletes.
Finlayson found the application process strenuous and is proud of having been selected.
She was inspired by the program and gained self-confidence in her own capabilities, coming back to lead even more activities in her school and community.
Finlayson is the co-leader of the Global Awareness Group at school. One of the projects sponsored by the school is financial support for an orphanage in Arusha, Tanzania. The program is called Raise the Roof, and she organized a successful fundraiser in January at the Cannery Brewing Company that featured the band Sing ’N Swing.
Finalyson also found time to start a pottery club at the school this year. Under her guidance, the group made over 70 handcrafted soup bowls, which were distributed at Sing ’N Swing.
“Kyla is a tremendously hard working student who has made a difference in her school community this year,” says Maggie vice-principal Sandra Richardson.
Next fall, Finlayson plans to begin studying for a career in the medical field. She has already been accepted at three Canadian universities.
Her interest in the field led Finalyson to volunteer in the community as a candy striper at the hospital and at Trinity Seniors Center. She enjoys interacting with the seniors. playing bingo and shuffleboard, and just being there for them.
Student of the Month is a Rotary Club of Penticton-Okanagan initiative. The award aims to recognize outstanding students for unique achievement in scholastics, extracurricular activities, community involvement, leadership and service to others.