A Valleyview Secondary students just got some big financial help for his education after winning a $25,000 scholarship.
Jonah Saemerow, a grade 12 students, was one of five students from across Canada awarded a $25,000 Steam Horizon Scholarship. He was the only student from western Canada to receive the award.
“I heard about this opportunity in January, my Dad found it online,” said Saemerow. “To apply, you had to think of an idea, write a few essays and make a video.”
Saemerow's passion is helping northern communities in the country who must rely on diesel generators for power. A member of Metis Nation British Columbia, Jonah was born in Vancouver and raised in Kamloops on the Secwepemc territory. His application for the scholarship outlined his plan to become an electrical engineer, introduce northern communities to renewable energy, and then connect them to the grid.
“Diesel generators are bad for the environment and unreliable – often schools cannot open when power is interrupted. I think that is horrible. School is a right, and without access to education, students lose important opportunities.”
For a full list of Steam award winners, click here.
