Scholarships

Encompassing science, education and salmon conservation, the Fernandez EarleScholarship Foundation has created a sea of knowledge. Netting funds through sponsorship, it’s provided a bounty of opportunities for high school graduates of Haida Gwaii. Knotting tight links between Hawaii and the Queen Charlotte Islands, the FESF, since it’s inception in 2001, is steadily riding a wave of success onto the shores of the future.

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A doctor in the making

by LEIGH-ANNA MARKS

I’m very excited to have been chosen for this scholarship.

Preparation for the scholarship was a long process. I had a long list of things to do—an essay, reference letters, and research to concentrate on. All of it took time to do, but I spent a lot of time researching the scholarship itself and the people involved. I had a lot of reference letters, and couldn’t choose which ones were more important. In the end I decided that they were all important to me.

I did a lot and it all paid off in the end.

I believe I was selected because I have the qualities that the FESF was looking for. I’m a well-rounded young woman with the passion and ambition to complete my goals. I’m responsible and a role model within my school and community. Also I think they saw the difference I want to make in the world.

The scholarship is about maintaining the ocean. My aspect is the continuous circle. I want to help people to have a strong healthy community, and continue a strong fight towards keeping our environment as natural and healthy as we can.

Being born and raised here on Haida Gwaii has shaped me into who I am today. Both my parents are of Haida descent—my father being full Haida and my mother half-Haida and half-Finnish.

I have a large extended family and love my family life a lot. I have two younger brothers and we live with my parents in Old Masset. Schooling and sports have always taken up most of my free time.

For a long time I’ve planned to become a doctor, more specifically a pediatrician. Having so many years of school ahead of me and with my parents only making a moderate income between the two of them, I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to do it. But I always knew in the back of my mind that no matter what the cost, it would be worth it for my future goals and endeavours.

After completing my education I want to take part in Doctors without Borders—it’s been a dream to help Third World countries, and after doing a lot of travelling I want to return home. I love it here and couldn’t imagine never coming back to the Queen Charlotte Islands.

I’ve never been to Hawaii. I’ve never experienced the warm fruity air, the black sand beaches, nor have I had the chance to explore volcanoes. I’m excited to get these chances and so much more.

Receiving this scholarship will change my life in so many ways. The city life, different activities, and independence—it’s all going to be different but I’m ready to embrace any challenges that lay ahead.

FESF News 2007

View the 2007 FESF Newspaper online in PDF format. Click here.

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