By Craig Westcott
This year’s winner of the Provincial government’s Jubilee Scholarship is the first one to ever record straight 100s in all his courses upon graduating high school.
Samuel Power of Paradise, who graduated from Mount Pearl Senior High last year and is now studying towards an engineering degree at Memorial University, has a simple formula for success, though it’s one that eludes many.
“There’s a lot of work, a lot of study, a lot of late nights,” said Power, 18.
Power received 100 per cent in each of Advanced Math, French, Social Studies, Calculus, English, and Chemistry in his final year at MPSH. His favourite subjects were calculus and math.
Power is finding that university courses come with even more work.
“It’s good, it’s a challenge, it’s definitely a change of scenery compared to high school,” said Power. “It’s more compact, the course loads are heavy.”
Power is undecided about which type of engineering he will pursue but is leaning towards process engineering.
“I’m big into chemistry,” he said. “It will be something in the energy field, I’m sure.”
In addition to academics, Power was a top student athlete in high school. He played three seasons on the hockey team, which speaks to his athletic ability as not all players make the Huskies in the first year or two of high school. Power also played on the baseball and softball teams, and of course, the math league team. He was asked to try out for the Blades’ junior hockey team this year but decided he would take this first year of university to focus on his studies.
Power’s brothers are also good students. His younger brother Henry is in Grade 10, while older brother Jacob is in medical school.
Power allowed that all the hard work in high school paid off.
“It was definitely worth it in the end, I wouldn’t change a thing,” he said.
Power is also grateful to his teachers.
“They were awesome, the amount of work and time they put into me and helping me achieve what I wanted,” he said. “I set out on that goal as soon as I started high school, I wanted to be valedictorian. It just so happened that I was able to get this scholarship along the way. But the amount of time and effort they put into helping me, teaching me and guiding me along the path was much appreciated.”
The Jubilee Scholarship, which is awarded to the student with the highest scholarship score in the province, is worth $2,500.
The Province also late last month announced the winner of the Constable W.C. Moss Scholarship, which went to Gonzaga High graduate Isla Growns, and the 120 winners of the Electoral District scholarships, and the 79 winners of the Centenary of Responsible Government Scholarships.
Samuel Power