SASKATOON — Incoming first-year student Joanne Ter was awarded the University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) Best and Brightest Entrance Scholarship.
The Best and Brightest Entrance Scholarships are USask’s highest valued, renewable entrance scholarships and are awarded based on academics, leadership and contributions to school and community life.
A 2024 graduate of St. Joseph High School, Ter was also recognized with the Greater Saskatoon Catholic School Board Award for achieving the highest honour roll average in her grade, her school’s Christian Service Award and the Chaplaincy Award from the Holy Family Cathedral. She also received the Ram and Sudesh Sharma Family Fund Scholarship, which recognizes community involvement; the University of Toronto National Book Award for academic achievement, creative and critical thinking, and passion for learning; and the Advanced Placement Scholar Award, which honors outstanding college-level performance for scoring 3 or higher on three or more AP exams. As co-president of her school’s Student Representative Council, she played a crucial role in planning and running pep rallies and school spirit events.
Beyond school, she is passionate about art and enjoys using her talent to enrich others' lives. She also actively serves at her church as a pianist and a youth outreach leader and is dedicated to Bible Quizzing and piano.
See to being awarded the prestigious Best and Brightest Entrance Scholarship from USask.
Below is her initial reaction to receiving the USask Best and Brightest Entrance Scholarship:
I was walking to my calculus class when I suddenly received a phone call from my counsellor, who told me to head to student services immediately. When I walked in, I was surprised to see my counsellor, vice principals, principal and my dad. Then I saw the USask representatives and staff, and that was when I knew I had received the scholarship.
I was extremely grateful to have been offered this scholarship. I did not expect to see the USask representatives and other school staff there [in the room], but I thought it was thoughtful of [USask] to have made it such a big surprise. To me, it was special moment and I was glad that USask acknowledged how special it would be for me, too.
What are you going to miss about high school?
I enjoyed my years in my high school because I had a close-knit and welcoming community at my school. I had many talented and caring teachers who were intentional in building relationships with students. I will miss the teachers and my classmates. Luckily, I will still see some of my classmates at university. But I would say [it's] the teachers and staff who have made the greatest impact on my high school career. They were encouraging and supportive and have helped me grow significantly.
What are you looking forward to at USask?
I'm looking forward to being on campus. It's beautiful, especially during the fall when the leaves are changing colours. I think I will enjoy walking with the nature around me as I go to my classes. And of course, I'm also excited to gain more in-depth learning experiences and meet all the people from diverse backgrounds with unique talents and passions.
What inspired you to want to become a teacher?
I believe that being a teacher is extremely impactful to our society. The reason I picked the College of Education is because I've had some amazing teachers. Both my elementary and high school teachers made a positive impact on my growth and my experience at school. They challenged me and helped me realize that there is a place for me to contribute my talents to the school.
I also want to be that person who mentors, encourages and challenges others to become the person they are created to be. I am in the Early Years Program. When I'm with little kids, I can build that connection while they're still young and be able to mould their character.
When you graduate in the upcoming years and you're walking across the stage at convocation with your family in the crowd, what do you think you would be thinking about or telling yourself?
First, because my faith is an essential part of my identity and who I am, I will be reminding myself that I should give all the glory to God because, in the end, none of all that I've accomplished or what I've done is because of my own strength. I will also try to remember as I go through [these] significant milestones in my life that it's just the beginning. I still have a long way to go after graduating high school and university. I have to keep persevering and finish well.
— Submitted by USask Media Relations
