Manitoulin Island student receives $70K scholarship

Alexandra Wilson-Zegil is one of 20 from across Canada receiving up to $70,000 through the TD Scholarship for Community Leadership program.

Alexandra Wilson-Zegil is one of 20 recipients from across Canada receiving up to $70,000 over four years for her post-secondary education through the TD Scholarship for Community Leadership program.

Wilson-Zegil was chosen for the scholarship thanks to her work in bringing technology to youth and seniors on Manitoulin Island.

The Grade 12 Manitoulin Secondary Student has been on the robotics team for four years and prompted the team to hold coding workshops and presentations at elementary schools across 171 kilometres.

She has also published a children’s book about robots protecting the environment and delivered tech workshops for senior citizens, teaching them cellphone skills to stay connected and live safely in isolated conditions.

“With the extra freedom that this money grants me, I’m hoping to continue writing books into university as well as continuing community tech help sessions,” Wilson-Zegil said.

When she applied for the scholarship, she thought there would be tough competition and many applicants. She wrote an essay in support of her application and a few months later, received an interview.

“I didn’t think I’d get this far in the process,” Wilson-Zegil said.

“I’m sitting in my English class, and I get an email and I’m like, ‘Oh, from TD -- what’s this? And it says, ‘private and confidential’ in big letters and I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh I just won.’”

On Monday, the robotics team held a workshop at Charles C. McLean Public School in Gore Bay with students from Grades 2-7.

“Having kids that are knowledgeable -- not necessarily in every aspect of programming but understanding the logic behind the programming and how problem-solving works and how machines work -- becomes really, really valuable,” said Mike Zegil, Alexandra’s dad and robotics team lead.

“The sooner you introduce them to it, the greater that knowledge will be moving further on, and then they’ll advance their skills that much faster. I guarantee you, there’s some kids in there that are in Grade 5 and Grade 6 that are probably better programmers than some of the ones that we have on our team, just because they got introduced to it at a young age.”

The goal of the presentations is to show students the possibilities, no matter their interests.

“I think the message that I just want to spread to younger generations coming into robotics is that you do not have to be specifically a builder or a programmer to get involved,” Wilson-Zegil said.

“There is truly a space for everyone in this community. It’s so welcoming and there are so many different things you can be doing.”

As for her post-secondary plans, she will attend McMaster University in the fall. Enrolled in Wilson College’s new Leadership & Civic Studies program, she will complete a double major in political science.

“After my undergrad, I want to go to law school and then hopefully get involved in government and advocacy and really making sure that rural Canadians have a voice in government,” Wilson-Zegil said.

The scholarship gives her hope that she can be debt-free when she completes her education.