A Sarnia student -- who made local headlines seven years ago competing on Canada's Smartest Person Junior -- is heading to university this fall with the largest undergraduate scholarship awarded in the country.
Liam Henderson was 11-years-old when he was selected as one of 12 contestants for the six-episode show in 2018.
At the time he told Sarnia News Today, "I think my smarts are pretty good" and now he's proved it.
The Northern Collegiate Institute and Vocational School (NCIVS) graduate has been selected to receive a $100,000 Schulich Leader Scholarship to study Honours Integrated Science (iSci) at McMaster University in Hamilton.
In a statement, shared by the Lambton Kent District School Board (LKDSB), Henderson said he felt grateful and excited.
“Receiving the Schulich Leader Scholarship worth $100,000 means I can direct more of my focus to my academics and community involvement, with the financial burden of attending university and postgraduate school being relieved to a significant extent," Henderson said.
"The moment I received the scholarship was one of joy, relief, and celebration. As soon as I saw the subject line in that email, I said to myself, ‘I don't believe it, I do not believe it!’ I told my family and they were ecstatic like me, congratulating me on my accomplishment. With this scholarship, I will be able to afford schooling after my undergrad degree without burning a hole in my pocket, which means that I can continue my mission of improving the lives of those in my community through scientific knowledge and philanthropy," he added.
NCIVS staff nominated Henderson for the award based on his academic and extra-curricular achievements -- noting over 600 hours of community involvement.
LKDSB Director of Education Gary Girardi said they're "extremely proud of Liam and all he has accomplished."
"Being named a Schulich Leader is one of the most prestigious honours a Canadian high school student can receive, and Liam’s achievement is a testament to his incredible work ethic, as well as the high quality of education, educators, and student leadership that exists across the LKDSB," Girardi said. "His contributions through the LKDSB Student Senate and his commitment to academic excellence have made a lasting impact, and we are confident he will continue to do great things in his next chapter."
This is the second consecutive year a NCIVS graduate has been announced as a recipient, Darshan Shah won a $120,000 scholarship in 2024.
A total of 100 Schulich Leader Scholarships are being awarded this year; 50 engineering scholarships valued at $120,000 each, and 50 science, technology or math scholarships valued at $100,000 each.