2023 Scholarship Competition

earing her green T-shirt with the heart-shaped Earth! Ryanne’s interest grew during her Grade 8 science fair project, which was about microplastics from washing synthetic clothing. This project also sparked her interest in engineering and water treatment. Since then, her science fair projects have all been environment-related, including this year’s project researching the most resilient tree species that can withstand extreme weather events, such as Hurricane Fiona. The results of this project will be shared with other organizations to help with post-hurricane recovery efforts. In addition to her science fair projects, Ryanne has completed numerous litter cleanups with her school’s Interact Club and has organized bottle recycling drives. Ryanne incorporates environmental activities into her daily life, educating and encouraging others to do the same.  To read Ryanne’s essay about the circular economy, click here.    

lective action and reduce their consumption by reusing, repurposing, and refusing to waste. Jaime has eliminated single-use items from her life and she and her family are mindful of their purchases. They try to buy everything second-hand, if possible, repurpose many unwanted items they have, and donate what they cannot repurpose. They’ve expanded their home gardens and share their harvest with others, raise laying hens for eggs, and buy local whenever possible. Jaime is also a long-time 4H member and participates in the annual “Village Cleanup” that is organized by her club. Jaime’s passion for the environment is evident and her career goal is to work in the scientific field and create a positive impact on the environment.  To read Jaime’s essay on the circular economy, click here.   

ng various organizations like the United Way, Terry Fox Run, the Truro Farmers Market, and many others. She is also a member of the school’s environmental club, and the Colchester Climate Crew, which is a student volunteer-led group. Through Climate Crew, Reham learned more about climate change, climate action, and other environmental issues impacting Colchester County. The group researched climate action initiatives and promoted awareness about climate action. After Hurricane Fiona, Reham started an initiative to clean up fallen trees and debris, helping to process it into firewood and distributing it to those in need, rather than have it hauled to the landfill. Reham is looking forward to helping with future events with the Colchester Climate Crew, especially those about the importance of soil health, gardening, and eating locally. To read Reham’s essay on the circular economy, click here.   

ns to the school, and created educational posters about climate change and single-use plastics. The activities with this club gave Léa the confidence to form the first ecological club at her new school in grade 11. Through this club, she learned about Coastal Action’s Nova Action program, a youth-led initiative that supports students acting on environmental problems in their community. Léa received a $5,000 grant to complete a research project focused on micro and macro plastics in the water and on/in Nova Scotia's beaches. She created an Instagram page to share her research results and presented the findings to the Canadian Wildlife Federation and the Discovery Center Museum in Halifax. Léa has also joined Wild Outside, a free extracurricular national conservation-based youth leadership program that promotes community-based activities and has completed over 130 service hours with this group. She has also run marathons as a "Green Avenger" to collect money for the Ecology Action Center and has volunteered with their Pesticide-free Christmas tree sale. Last year, she started volunteering at The Grainery, a 100% volunteer-run non-profit bulk food store. Léa is looking forward to pursuing her studies in biology to further her knowledge and support her significant impact on society. To read Léa’s essay about the circular economy, click here. 

where she promotes STEM to girls in her communities by offering free coding workshops. Carmen has also created her own foundation, Waves of Change, holding eight conferences to raise awareness on climate action and youth mobilization. Since 2019, she has received over $2000 in funding, which allowed her to reach over 800 Nova Scotian students. As student council president, Carmen created the Environment Chair for Students’ Council to help create a more sustainable Horton. As the school’s Environment Club President, she organized weekly meetings with 25 members and has helped lead various climate awareness campaigns in her region, such as the 2022 Climate Change Walkout, and a “Minimizing Your Carbon Footprint” toolkit for rural residents. The club has also organized a school clothing drive and thrift shop, as well as annual Environment Week events. As a technology advocate and social activist, Carmen hopes to effect meaningful, systemic change by pursuing a double major in Environmental Science and Mathematics at Acadia University.  To read Carmen’s essay about the circular economy, click here.   

re everything goes once it is sorted, Lauren’s parents took her to a local waste facility, and she saw how much waste goes to the landfill that could have been reused or recycled. She decided to take action by helping her parents collect and repair toys and bicycles that were then donated to preschools and charities. Lauren also looked at ways that her family could have an impact with daily actions. Her family started reusing glass jars and containers to store food, purchased package-free items at bulk food stores, and eliminated single-use plastics by using reusable items. Lauren also routinely picks up litter along the trails and beaches near her home, competing with her family to see who can collect the most litter. Lauren purchases clothes at thrift stores and often swaps clothes with her friends rather than purchasing brand-new items. Her family repairs and repurposes household items when possible and donates anything that they cannot use. To read Lauren’s essay on the circular economy, click here. 

lier this year, Saulė has been more active in environmental activities. She joined the high school’s environmental club “Youth for Future” and the group’s first big project was to organize a “Big Swap” at school. They collected many used clothes and items as toys, school supplies, dishes, etc., cleaned all the items, and distributed them so students and staff of the school could take what they needed. Since this event was such a huge success, the group is planning a second “Big Swap” at the end of the school year. Saulė is also passionate about preventing litter. After analyzing the amount of litter around the school, Saulė and the environment club organized a cleanup of the most littered areas, collecting 250 lbs. of trash. Saulė also participated in a town event that helped clean up Pembroke Cove in Yarmouth and she plans to organize several other litter cleanups around the community and the school. To read Saulė’s essay on the circular economy, click here. 

bouteilles, de boîtes de mouchoirs et de vieux tissus. Elle a également commencé à jardiner avec sa famille et à cultiver ses propres fruits et légumes. En tant qu'ambassadrice de l'environnement au sein de son conseil étudiant, Sofia a lancé l'opération "Coats for Kids" (des manteaux pour les enfants). Elle a organisé une collecte à l'école et dans un centre commercial local pour recueillir des vêtements d'hiver légèrement usagés qui ont ensuite été donnés à des personnes dans le besoin. Elle a également participé à une grève étudiante pour l'action climatique et a aidé à organiser un nettoyage des détritus à l'échelle de l'école.  Elle prévoit d'organiser d'autres événements de ce type à l'avenir et continue de mettre en œuvre des activités environnementales dans sa vie quotidienne afin de favoriser le changement. Pour lire l'essai de Sofia sur l'économie circulaire, cliquez ici.