Chinook student wins scholarship
Hayat Makwik was braiding her niece’s hair at a friend’s house recently when she heard she was the recipient of a TD Scholarship for Community Leadership.
The Grade 12 student at Chinook High School, who will be graduating on June 28, said Thursday she was shocked when she got the news.
“I was in so much shock. I couldn’t believe it,” Makwik said.
“I was just like pulling on her hair and ‘no way.’ She said ‘what’s going on?’ and I said I got the scholarship.”
The scholarships have a value of $70,000 including up to $10,000 for tuition and $7,500 for living experience per year for a maximum of four years.
Recipients also “have the chance to make lifelong connections through summer employment with TD or a community organization funded by TD through the TD Ready Commitment as well as mentorship and networking opportunities,” says TD.
Makwik created a cultural diversity club at Chinook with a teacher at Chinook to promote cultural diversity among teachers and students so they could pursue any activism or any fundraising they might like to do in a safe space.
“It kind of took off from there,” said Makwik.
“I couldn’t have done it without my teachers, honestly. They’ve been the ones who have been supporting me during this time. We’ve had some trials and tribulations with some backlash here and there,” Makwik stated.
Right now, the club has about 50 members between students and staff, said Makwik who is extremely happy with the way things have gone with the group.
“I can’t believe it. It feels so surreal to me.”
Her plan after high school graduation is to study psychology and political science at the University of Lethbridge, she said.
“With the scholarship comes three internships. You can either work at a TD branch or a corporate office so my plan is to stay here for the first year and hopefully land a job at a corporate office and maybe move to Toronto for a few months,” said Makwik. who is looking forward to see where this opportunity takes her.
“I’m really excited for the journey that comes.” During her work with the group, Makwik secured sponsorships from local businesses that enabled it to hold cultural awareness events such as Black History Month. Hayat is also a mentor at Big Brothers Big Sisters and volunteers at the MCC Thrift Store.
Hayat is one of 20 winners of this year’s community leadership scholarships which have a total value of $1.4 million.
“This year’s students have been recognized for their outstanding achievements and contribution such as: creating student workshops to attract more girls into science, technology, engineering and mathematics; championing fare-free transit in local communities; and helping to raise money for scholarship programs for refugee students from Uganda,” said TD in a release.
“We know how tough the past few years have been for us all, including the next generation of leaders,” says Alicia Rose, AVP, Social Impact. “That’s why we’re proud to celebrate these exceptional TD Scholars who are showing their commitment to making positive and inclusive impacts within their communities as they embark on the next stages of their lives.”
Hayat is one of only two Alberta recipients.
Since 1995, 540 Canadian high school students have received community leadership scholarships to help pursue their secondary education.