Zoe Davis, a level II student at O’Donel High School in Mount Pearl, was named the recipient of this year’s Lester B. Pearson Scholarship for Newfoundland and Labrador. The $80,000 scholarship is for two years of pre-university study in the International Baccalaureate Program at Pearson College in British Columbia.

“Me and my mom went out and got ice cream to celebrate. When I told my whole family they screamed congratulations,” Davis said about learning she was this year’s recipient of the scholarship.

Receiving the Lester B. Pearson scholarship means that Davis will be moving to Victoria to complete her final year of high school and one year of general studies at Pearson College.

Davis was selected for the scholarship because of her outstanding academic achievement, her involvement in extra-circulars, and her volunteerism. In addition to winning the Lester B. Pearson scholarship, Davis was recently recognized with awards for public speaking and for her involvement with the drama club.

She was the stage manager of O’Donel’s recent production of Hamlette at the LSPU Hall. The play is a comedic re-telling of Shakespeare’s Hamlet and Davis loved being a part of the production.

She is also a member of O’Donel’s Outreach, a social justice club. Last year Davis participated in the club’s drive to raise money for Spread The Net, an organization co-founded by Rick Mercer, which delivers nets designed to prevent the spread of malaria, to families in African countries. Davis is an animal lover and also volunteers as a dog washer at Mount Pearl’s Ooh La La Spa.

Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, Dale Kirby presented Davis with her award at a ceremony at the House of Assembly earlier this month.

“…the Lester B. Pearson Scholarship offers a life-changing opportunity for exceptional young people and will provide incredible support in helping Zoey fulfill her long-term goals … I congratulate Zoey and hope her time at Pearson College enriches her life, solidifies the foundations for her academic future and opens doors to new and exciting opportunities,” Minister Kirby said at the Ceremony.

Jack Kenny, a level II student at Exploits Valley High in Grand Fall-Windsor, who has been accepted at the United World College of the Atlantic in the United Kingdom was also celebrated at the ceremony. Along with Manish Benuen, a level II student at Mealey Mountain Collegiate in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, who has also been accepted at Pearson College. As well, Andree Gaudet, a level II student at Gonzaga High School in St. John’s, who has been accepted at the United World College in China.