From David Thompson Secondary, Winnie’s interest in the functions of the human mind and body have driven her to study at the University of British Columbia, with a specialization in Cognitive Systems in Computational Intelligence and Design. Read more about Beedie Luminaries like Winnie here.
What program will you be taking in post-secondary and why does it interest you?
I will be in the Bachelor of Science Program. Growing up, I was always interested in the human body and how it functioned. However, the major catalyst for choosing this area of study was my diagnosis of anorexia nervosa. From that experience, I learned how complex the human body and mind are. As my medical team aided me in my recovery, I realized that I wanted to help others just as they helped me and pursuing science would be the gateway to that.
Tell us a little bit about your background (growing up, going to school, extra-curricular activities, etc.).
I am an active individual. Throughout secondary school, I volunteered with three school clubs as well as outside of school. I eventually ran Time and Effort, a club that focused on fundraising to build a school in Sierra Leone, as well as Service Club which provided assistance for the administrators. Furthermore, I also competed in Cross Country and Track and Field. Despite placing near the bottom of the rankings when first starting, I worked diligently to improve my performance, resulting in competing in provincials during my senior year.
Who inspires you, and why?
My mother inspires me. She is absolutely selfless and determined. Despite holding a minimum wage job due to not being able to speak English well, she perseveres to ensure our family’s happiness. Although she could have pursued post-secondary education to earn a well-paying career when my brother and I were younger, she selflessly chose to continue with her current job to take care of us.
What motivates you, and why?
The struggles my parents faced motivate me. It was because I saw the blisters on my mother’s feet due to countless hours serving tables and the burns on my dad’s hand from cooking dim sum as a chef. They enjoy their jobs, but I also know that they could have achieved much more if they did not sacrifice further education to care for my brother and me. Due to this, I work hard to ensure that their sacrifice was worth it.
What are your goals for the upcoming school year?
My main goal for the upcoming school year is to maintain balance in my life. In high school, I spent the majority of my time focusing on academics, volunteering, or training in athletics. Although this made me a varied and committed individual, my schedule rarely allowed me to find time for myself to relax. This upcoming school year, I want to focus more on my mental health and well-being and perhaps help others with their mental health as well.
What is one thing you learned in high school that you will take with you to post-secondary?
It may sound cliché, but practice makes perfect. When I first started Cross Country, I did not have much stamina nor strength. I certainly was not talented at the sport. Despite placing 52nd out of 66 athletes, I was determined to improve. Through continuous practice, I managed to place 15th out of 42 athletes at City Finals during my Senior year. My drastic improvement was only achievable through hard work and grit and I will carry this memory with me through post-secondary.
What is one piece of advice you’d give to future Luminaries?
If you’ve already made it this far, you have the strength to go further.
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