A local high school student with big aspirations has been given a unique opportunity.

Christopher Gil, a Grade 11 student at Jasper Jr./Sr. High School, was recently awarded a scholarship through the United World College (UWC) to attend Lester B. Pearson College on Vancouver Island. Pearson College is a two year, pre-university school that brings 200 students from 100 countries to live and learn together.

It all began when Chris’s neighbour, Angela Lemire, informed his family of the  United World College (UWC) and the scholarships they provide to selected applicants. According to their website, www.uwc.org, UWC schools, colleges and programs deliver a challenging and transformative educational experience to a diverse cross section of students, inspiring them to create a more peaceful and sustainable future. The UWC has campuses around the world.

Chris’s mother Jennifer said that he and his family went online to research the UWC around Christmas-time and discovered that if they wanted to apply for the 2011/2012 school year, they would have to submit their application by February, 2011. With a short deadline to meet, a lengthy application process to go through, and some encouragement from his mother, Chris got to work.

“The application process was fairly tedious,” he said. The basics were simple, asking how many languages he spoke, where he lived, his age and where his interests lay. “Then there were three mini essays that you had to do.”

First, Chris was required to write about what made him special. Then he was asked to elaborate on his greatest achievement. Lastly, Chris was asked to write about what he thought Canada’s biggest problem is and how he proposes to solve it.

“Nearing the deadline, I had really no idea of what I could possibly write for that third essay. Then it came to me. The biggest problem that I felt, was that there are some people who have so much that abuse their privileges, then there are people that have very little who are doing so much more,” he said.

That resonated with Chris because he wants to do more to make the world a better place.

After the application was submitted to the UWC national committee, Gil went about his day-to-day life with thoughts of the college all but forgotten. Then, one day he was contacted by UWC who informed Chris that he had been shortlisted for an interview. He was one of 16 students selected in the province to be interviewed and one of only eight in Alberta to be awarded the UWC scholarship. What followed was a day-long interview in Edmonton.

After the long day, Gil was laying in the back seat of the car on the way home when he got a phone call asking if he would like to attend Lester B. Pearson College – his first choice of all the UWC schools.

“The college [Pearson] has a marine biology program,” Chris said of his top choice. “That has always been of interest to me.”

Chris will attend Pearson College for two years, finishing his Grade 12 year there and then taking first year university credits that can transfer to Chris’s next stage of post secondary education. When he thinks about not graduating with his fellow Jasper classmates, Chris said he is not sure it has really hit him yet. He is, however, excited about this unique opportunity.

“It’s a beautiful campus actually, and it is in the forest,” he said. Chris won’t be able to visit the campus until he starts school in September this year.

Chris said he is looking forward to meeting international students – he is, as far as he knows, the only Canadian in the marine biology program – that are like-minded in their views of the world.

“It would be great to find friends who feel passionate about the same issues that I do so, that we can create a long-lasting friendship and eventually save the world.”

Chris said that without the help and support of his friends, neighbours, family and educators he would not be in the position he is in now. 

“First, and most important, is my mom for nagging me,” he said laughing, adding that his dad, sister and grandparents have also been great supporters of his endeavours. 

Chris said that he is also very thankful for the mentorship he has received from the teachers and staff at Jasper Jr./Sr. High School. He said that growing up in Jasper, a small community where he has been allowed and encouraged to shine, has greatly led to his successes.