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Five Maritime high school students will receive prestigious Currie Scholarships at the University of New Brunswick, a recognition of their outstanding leadership in the community and academic performance in their high schools. The Currie Scholarships were established by Dr. Richard J. Currie, UNB Chancellor Emeritus and one of Canada’s most accomplished business leaders and philanthropists.  

This year’s recipients are Tyler Adams of Saint John, N.B., Emma Collings of Montague, PEI, Brittany Landry of Miramichi, N.B., Barry Riordon of Pokeshaw, N.B. and Hannah Wood of Fredericton, N.B.

Tyler Adams will graduate from Saint John High School where he was a member of the school’s chamber of representatives and active in a number of school sports, including track and field, football, soccer and curling. Tyler, who will be the first in his family to attend university, has worked part-time as a medic-in-training and participated in the 2014 Royal Canadian Legion Youth Leadership camp. He will pursue his bachelor of kinesiology.

Emma Collings has served as co-student council president at Montague Regional High School, was involved in a number of sports and served on a variety of committees at the school. She coaches Special Olympics programs and has participated in Relay For Life fundraisers as well as hockey, ringette and soccer in community programs outside the school. Emma will study in UNB’s bachelor of science program. 

Brittany Landry will graduate from James M. Hill Memorial High School in Miramichi, where she served as treasurer in student government and was a member of the Drama Camp and school choir. Additionally, she founded G4G (Girls for Girls), created to raise awareness of women’s issues as well as generate funds for a local women’s shelter. Brittany volunteers with Big Brothers/Big Sisters and the Boys and Girls Club. She will begin her bachelor of arts degree in September.

Barry Riordon will graduate from Bathurst High School where he captained the soccer team and was an alternate captain of the hockey team. He demonstrated his leadership as student council president and vice-president during his senior years and led several clubs as president, including the 4H Club. Barry volunteered with the Snow Bear Festival, the Bay Breakfast Fundraiser and the Pokeshaw Recreation Centre. He is enrolled in UNB’s engineering program.

Hannah Wood has served on the Leo Hayes High School student executive and earned a spot on the Principal’s List for the past three years. She was a principal dancer and choreographer in the school’s four musical theatre productions, is a member of the jazz and concert bands and is involved with Theatre New Brunswick. In 2015, she participated in the Global Vision Junior Intensive Leadership course and in the summer, volunteers with the York Care Centre. Hannah will pursue her bachelor of engineering. 

For over a decade, the Currie Scholarships, now valued at $65,000 each, have been awarded to students beginning a degree program at UNB upon graduation from a high school in any of the four Atlantic provinces. These scholarships are intended to support the education of future leaders.

Dr. Currie served as UNB Chancellor from 2003-2013 and, in May, 2014, was named Chancellor Emeritus. Dr. Currie played a fundamental role in the development, design and financing of the state-of-the-art Richard J. CURRIE CENTER on the Fredericton campus. He is an officer of the Order of Canada and a laureate of the Canadian Business Hall of Fame. 

MEDIA CONTACT: David Stonehouse

PHOTO: From left to right, Barry Riordan, Emma Collings, Brittany Landry, Hannah Wood and Tyler Adams