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The University of New Brunswick is proud to announce the 2020 recipients of the Beaverbrook Scholars Award, rewarding New Brunswick’s most exceptional students for their academic abilities and community involvement. This year marks the 100th anniversary of Beaverbrook Scholarships and the commitment to shaping future leaders at UNB.

This year’s recipients are Julia Dupuis, David Fox and Rose He. The Beaverbrook Scholars Award is valued at $50,000 over four years and is awarded to outstanding New Brunswick high school graduates pursuing undergraduate degree programs at UNB.

Julia Dupuis comes to UNB from Riverview and is enrolled in the bachelor of science program. Julia was active in many extracurricular activities at Riverview High School, including the school’s concert band and the concert band council. She was a peer tutor and member of the SPCA Committee, Youth in Action, and competed at the Canadian Improv Games with her school’s Improv team. In 2019, she was chosen to be a SHAD program participant at Ryerson University.

Julia is active in her community, first volunteering and later working for a veterinary clinic after school. Along with a classmate and her Grade 12 physics teacher, she has worked to raise community awareness of climate change with a project that will see signs containing information about trees of the Acadian Forest placed along Riverview’s Mill Creek walking trails.

David Fox of Grand Bay-Westfield will begin the bachelor of science in engineering program in September. David is passionate about environmental issues and has been part of prestigious ecological workshops and conferences, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Summit, Youth Encounters for Canada – Science and Ecology, and the Oceanwise Biodiversity National Youth Dialogue. A leader among his peers, he has represented his school at the Kiwanis Key Leadership Training Camp, is president of his local Scouts Canada company, and is working toward his gold-level Duke of Edinburgh Award.

In addition to leadership activities, school clubs and part-time employment, David has also participated in sports teams at Harbour View High School, including basketball, soccer, cross-country, badminton, volleyball, and rowing. A member of the Kennebecasis Competitive Rowing Team, he has competed throughout Eastern Canada and is currently in training for the 2021 Canada Games as a potential member of the New Brunswick rowing crew.

Rose He of Fredericton will also begin the bachelor of science in engineering program at UNB in September. Rose is committed to climate activism and, as such, she founded the Wildlife Conservation Club at Fredericton High School. In 2019, Rose’s plan for sustainability won second place at Skills Canada’s national secondary public speaking competition. As lead organizer for the non-profit initiative TEDXFrederictonHigh, Rose sought to give a platform to the youth of her community. Rose has volunteered for three years with a UNB biology laboratory, conducting research on RNA-based gene duplications. After placing first at UNB’s Brain Bee in 2018, Rose represented New Brunswick at the Canadian Institute of Health Research’s National Neuroscience Competition.

Beyond academics, Rose is a grade-10 certified pianist through the Royal Conservatory of Music and a gold-level Duke of Edinburgh Award recipient. In 2019, she was a participant in the prestigious Beaverbrook Vimy Prize, a two-week history learning experience in Belgium and France. During her free time, she enjoys volunteering with various community organizations, including Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada, Canadian Blood Services, Pine Grove Nursing Home, the Conservation Council of NB, and her local hospital. An avid soccer player, she has been named Fredericton High’s top scholastic player and was part of the Premiership team representing New Brunswick at the Canada National Soccer Tournament in 2016.

The Beaverbrook Scholarships have been awarded at the University of New Brunswick since 1920. The scholarship program was initiated by Sir William Maxwell Aitken, 1st Baron Beaverbrook, PC, ONB to help shape future leaders. In 1979, former scholars worked together to establish the modern-day Beaverbrook Scholars Awards in honour of their former benefactor, so that they might continue the tradition of helping shape future leaders as he had done.

The Beaverbrook Scholars Award, created and maintained by former Beaverbrook Scholars, is awarded to exceptional graduates of New Brunswick high schools who display high academic ability, financial need and make extraordinary contributions to their communities. The Beaverbrook Scholars are a strong network of leaders who have helped institute important advancements in many local, provincial and national sectors.

Media contact: Kara Stonehouse

Photo: Julia Dupuis, David Fox, and Rose He.