Zalia L.

I graduated from École des Hautes-Plaines, a school in Airdrie, Alberta. One of my greatest accomplishments in high school was the creation of a clothing company at my school called Trendai that designs and creates custom athletic wear for students. After studying graphic design and entrepreneurship, I helped found the school company and stepped up to manage it in grade ten shortly after it was started. Trendai positively changed my school's atmosphere and instilled a lasting sense of enthusiasm and school pride through school team hoodies and other athletic wear. Furthermore, I served as a co-coach for my school's junior girls' basketball team. In this role, I encouraged girls to learn the incredible sport while also serving as a mentor for the athletes, fostering a sense of belonging and teambuilding. In addition to my volunteer roles at school, I played on my high school volleyball and basketball teams and participated in softball, curling, and competitive swimming in the community. I was captain of my school’s volleyball team and co-captain of the basketball team. My experiences have taught me the importance of time management, collaboration and working together as a team to achieve common goals. They have fostered my development of leadership skills such as tenacity and resilience. Finally, I have been volunteering with Special Olympics as a swim coach for nearly three years. I love volunteering and giving back to the community. Volunteering with Special Olympics has taught me the tremendous impact that volunteering can truly have on others. Even though my contribution sometimes feels small, it is never viewed this way by the athletes I’m supporting. I hope to continue volunteering with this organization throughout my degree and career while also continuing to participate in sports as these are roles that fill my bucket and fulfill me.

I chose UCalgary as there are many club options, engineering program options, and a wide access to internships. Engineering has interested me for quite a while. I am excited to build on my understanding of how things work and to further my knowledge and apply it in a science field. I hope to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering.

In the future, I aim to hold a PhD in engineering. I desire to design and create sports equipment that boosts athletic performance while ensuring safety. As an athlete who has played numerous sports, I have always been interested in different technologies that work to boost sport performance and safety. I have seen changes in equipment and safety gear over the years and seek to understand how the equipment works, and how it can be even better. I hope to one day work for a sports equipment company and help design the equipment of the future.

I am eternally grateful for having been awarded the Schulich Leader Scholarship. It has given me access to a network of incredibly talented individuals and the chance to pursue my degree without a financial burden.