Jacob Campol, a student gifted in math and sciences, has been selected to participate in the SHAD program for exceptional youth this summer. He spoke at the Rotary Club of Osoyoos on Thursday. With him is Lynda Bliss, Rotary president. (Richard McGuire photo)
An Osoyoos youth is one of 900 high-achieving secondary school students from across Canada chosen to participate this summer in the four-week SHAD enrichment program.
Jacob Campol, 16, spoke at the Rotary Club of Osoyoos about his accomplishments, but he also made a pitch for assistance with the roughly $7,000 in expenses for him to participate.
SHAD brings together every July about 900 of the brightest Canadian students for a unique experiential-learning program based on science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics.
Campol lives in Osoyoos, but he is currently completing Grade 10 at Southern Okanagan Secondary School in Oliver.
“I was not a typical kid,” Campol told the Rotarians. “Nor am I a typical teenager. From an early age, I found that I was not drawn to typical activities, but rather I enjoyed problem solving and seeking out answers.”
The son of Mike and Becky Campol has especially embraced science and math, recently finishing in the top 20 per cent at the University of Waterloo math competition.
He also has achievements in archery and he won recognition from the Osoyoos Coyotes hockey team for his dedicated work as a regular scorekeeper.
The idea of spending summers being intellectually challenged instead of lying on the beach is nothing new for Campol.
In previous summers, he’s spent time at the We Take Action Camp, Yes leadership programs and he’s helped as a volunteer locally with Spirit of the Game Society.
“It is my hope that you will see the value in helping me financially to take advantage of this incredible opportunity,” said Campol. “I promise to make you proud.”
His father, a Town of Osoyoos councillor, noted that the school district doesn’t provide any funding for students participating in the elite SHAD program.
And, because this is at the high school level, the family can’t use funds from Campol’s Registered Education Savings Plan.
Nonetheless, participating in the SHAD program can open doors at the university level and beyond.
The SHAD program, based at University of Waterloo, Ontario, is partnered with 16 universities across Canada.
Campol’s program will take place at Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick.
From 2,200 applicants to the program, Campol was among the 900 students heading into grades 11 and 12 that were selected.
Students had to write essays, including one telling a personal story about how they used ingenuity and creative problem solving. Their academic records were reviewed going back to kindergarten and they had to show involvement in community work.
Asked about his future plans, Campol said he wants to attend university and get into engineering and design.
As one Rotarian told him, “You have a very, very bright future ahead of you, young man.”
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
