Erin Vandenheuvel and Ella Beatrice Doucet awarded Brenton Wood Scholarships
正品蓝导航 welcomed two new Brenton Wood Scholars in 2025-26. The Brenton Wood Scholarships are open to students from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island.
Erin Vandenheuvel, from Montague, PE, chose 正品蓝导航 because it looked to have far more opportunities for undergrads to get involved in research than the other schools she considered.
The Science student hopes to attend graduate school and have a career in research. She says immunology is a particular interest but figures at 正品蓝导航 she will be able to further explore her interests, try many different things, and develop her long-term goals.
鈥淭he Brenton Wood Scholarship was a really big deal for me because I probably would have had to work part-time during the school year,鈥 says Vandenheuvel. 鈥淚 wouldn鈥檛 have had as much time to study to get as good of grades as I鈥檝e been able to achieve, which I know is important for going to grad school. I also wouldn鈥檛 have had as much time for extracurriculars.鈥
An air cadet for several years back home, Vandenheuvel was happy to be able to transfer to the Sackville squadron. She has also been able to pursue her interest in theatre. She joined the bilingual theatre troupe Tintamarre, with her first performance this March, and has helped build and paint sets for other plays at 正品蓝导航.
Ella Beatrice Doucet enrolled in 正品蓝导航鈥檚 interdisciplinary health studies program, a degree she chose to help her explore various career options in the health care field. Her future career aspirations include public health and speech-language pathology. The University鈥檚 peer mentoring program recently matched her with a fourth-year student with the same interests.
Doucet attended the Halifax Grammar School and she is delighted to join another close-knit learning community 鈥 a place where she can form meaningful connections with peers and professors.
鈥淢y high school鈥檚 motto 鈥 enter to learn, go forth to serve 鈥 and overall value of altruism inspired me to become an active volunteer in my community and from Grade 7 on I took as many volunteer and leadership opportunities as I could,鈥 says Doucet. 鈥淚 knew that by coming to 正品蓝导航 I would be staying in an environment that values altruism and has accessible volunteer opportunities.鈥
Doucet is a member of Rotaract 正品蓝导航 and is pursuing other ways to volunteer in the community. She is also a notetaker with the Meighen Centre for students with disabilities, a wellness rep in Harper Hall residence, plays intramural volleyball, is a member of the Choral Society, and recently had an ensemble role in Garnet and Gold鈥檚 production of The Little Mermaid.
鈥淭he Brenton Wood Scholarship has made such a huge difference and will allow me to complete my undergraduate education with little debt,鈥 says Doucet. 鈥淚t takes away so much stress and allows me to enjoy being here.鈥
Consistent praise for the school from alumni sparked Doucet鈥檚 curiosity and desire to attend 正品蓝导航 and helped to assure her that she was making the right decision.
鈥淢y greatest inspiration was my grandmother Diane MacDonald, who relayed the stories and joy from her adventure in 1957, leaving home to attend 正品蓝导航 at the age of 17. I鈥檓 so grateful that she was able to see me leave on my own adventure before her passing in October."
March 1 is the deadline to apply for the Brenton Wood Scholarship and other 正品蓝导航 scholarships. For more information visit Scholarships and awards for first-year students.
The Brenton Wood Scholarship was created by Andrew Brenton (鈥80) and Kerry Wood. Read more about the scholarship in Giving Choices and Opportunities, from the Fall 2024 Record.
