Holy Spirit student wins $70K scholarship

By Mark Squibb

Holy Spirt High School student Leah Casey has been named a recipient of a 2024 TD Scholarship for Community Leadership scholarship valued at $70,000.
The program recognises students who have proven themselves as capable leaders and community volunteers.

“I was absolutely shocked,” said Casey. “The deadline for when they had said they would let us know who had won had passed, so I had figured that I was not selected, but then I got the call… I was shocked, and also over the moon with excitement.”

Casey is a member of the CBS Community Garden, the youngest member of the Chamberlains Park Action Committee, and is the founder and president of her school’s environment club.

She is also the president of her school’s Interact Club, the youth-led counterpart to the local Rotary Club, and help’s organize fundraisers and career fairs, while also advocating for climate change initiatives.

She said it’s important for youths to make their voices heard in spaces where young voices are often not heard.

“It’s our town too,” said Casey. “When other people finish up with their projects, we will be the ones taking them on, and so I want to be a part of that next generation of leaders.”

She encourages others to become active in their community if they are not already.

“I would encourage people to step out of their comfort zone and get involved, because you will meet so many incredible people,” said Casey. “People that I have met have changed my life. It’s such an incredible opportunity to help out in the community and meet new people.”

She extended personal thanks to mentors who have helped her along and without whom her success would not be possible.

The $70,000 scholarship is to be spread out over a four-year period, with $10,000 earmarked for tuition and $7,500 for living expenses annually.

Casey will attend Memorial University in the Fall, and hopes to study either science or social work. She is one of 20 TD Scholarship recipients across the country.
Kasey Budgell of King’s Point was also named a recipient. Casey and Budgell were the only two students from this province to receive the scholarship.