camryn gallagher
Recipient of a Continuing Academic Excellence Award
"My most rewarding volunteer experience was when I travelled to the Dominican Republic to bring donations and volunteer my time within a developing community."
Studying: Biology and Environmental Science
School: Dalhousie University (third year)
Career aspirations: Environmental Restoration Researcher
What was the first thing you did when you found out you’re receiving a scholarship award and how did you feel?
The first thing I did when I found out I had received the scholarship was call my parents to tell them the good news. They have been extremely encouraging throughout my years in university and I knew they would be proud and happy for me. It was extremely gratifying to be recognized for the effort I put forth to be an active member of my community and I felt honoured to be chosen.
What is the most important attribute to be a leader in your community and why?
I think the most important attribute to be a leader within my community is drive. I believe developing the drive and motivation to make a difference within the community is an important attribute for leadership because it inspires you and everyone around to make an effort to make a difference.
What does this award mean to you?
This award is very meaningful to me. There are so many costs associated with achieving a university level education, especially attending university out of province, that the scholarship will ease some of my expenses. It also means that my efforts academically and within the community have been greatly appreciated. It is extremely meaningful to be recognized and I feel encouraged to keep working hard to achieve my goals.
What has been your most rewarding volunteer experience?
My most rewarding volunteer experience was when I traveled to the Dominican Republic to bring donations and volunteer my time within a developing community. I got to live with a family there and experienced their way of life; a lifestyle that I am very unfamiliar with. It was extremely rewarding to visit schools, churches and centres to see how our donations were helping children and community members. I will never forget the kindness and generosity that was shown towards me and my peers as well as, the happiness despite the conditions people were experiencing.
Camryn volunteering in the Dominican Republic.
Camryn with her mom and dad, Paul Gallagher, Manager, Valuation and Customer Relations, Zone 6, in the Ottawa office.
What or who inspired you to choose your major?
I developed a passion for the environment throughout high school and my first year of university. While studying science, I learned about how the environment is being negatively affected by human actions. Learning about the conditions we are creating for our planet inspired me to study life on earth and focus on the preventative and restorative ways to heal it. I want to dedicate my studies and career towards making our planet livable for future generations.
What has been your most rewarding volunteer experience?
My most rewarding volunteer experience was when I travelled to the Dominican Republic to bring donations and volunteer my time within a developing community. I got to live with a family there and experienced their way of life; a lifestyle that I am very unfamiliar with. It was extremely rewarding to visit schools, churches and centres to see how our donations were helping children and community members. I will never forget the kindness and generosity that was shown towards me and my peers as well as, the happiness despite the conditions people were experiencing.
What do you hope to accomplish this school year?
I hope to achieve a high GPA so that I will be accepted into the environmental science honours program. I am very interested in conducting my own independent research, therefore, my goal for this school year is to achieve an academic standing that allows me to complete honours.