CCHS Student Accepted to SHAD Program

“Immersing myself into the SHAD community will be such a gratifying experience for me,” says Grade 11 Crowsnest Consolidated High School (CCHS) student Kasey Walters.

Kasey has been accepted into the prestigious SHAD program, a STEAM and entrepreneurship program for Canadian students in grades 10 and 11. The month-long program includes labs, seminars, workshops, a peer group of like-minded students, a design challenge, and a worldwide network of graduates and leadership opportunities. Although it’s typically held in-person, due to COVID-19 it will be run virtually this summer.

Kasey says she’s interested in everything SHAD has to offer, but is most particularly focused on physics, chemistry, and astronomy. “I definitely want to go into astrophysics, chemistry, or astronomy at university,” she says.

Kasey’s Principal at CCHS, Christine McKie, says that Kasey is an excellent candidate for the SHAD program.  “I was particularly inspired by how she worked through the lockdown last spring when schools were closed due to COVID,” says Christine. “Besides keeping up with her school work she spent time taking care of herself through exercise, mindfulness, and art.  She has a passion for space, for art, and for social justice. Kasey has made great contributions to her school, to her community, and to this corner of the province.”

John Taylor, Off-Campus Coordinator with Livingstone Range School Division, was the one who initially introduced Kasey to the SHAD program and encouraged her to apply. “Kasey is one of those exceptional students you meet every once in a while that goes beyond the usual confines of the high school experience,” says John. “Kasey is limitlessly curious and creative, always asking big questions about the universe and her role in it.”

Once Kasey heard about the program she knew she wanted to apply. “Knowing SHAD was for people similar to me, I was 100% interested in applying,” Kasey says.

After a competitive application process, Kasey’s acceptance to the program means that she will be able to pursue her passions after graduation. “I think SHAD will give me so much learning and experience and communication skills,” she says. “I’m incredibly grateful that I got in! It definitely let me know that I do have what it takes to go into the sciences in my future!”

Congratulations to Kasey! We wish her the very best in her SHAD experience this summer.