June 11, 2025
NWSS student selected for $100,000 STEM undergraduate scholarship
New Westminster, B.C. – New Westminster Schools is pleased to announce that a graduating New Westminster Secondary School (NWSS) student has been selected to receive a prestigious science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) scholarship.
Noah Kay will be awarded a $100,000 Schulich Leadership Scholarship to study at Simon Fraser University (SFU). He is the first student from NWSS to win the scholarship.
“I was already happy with being nominated,” said Kay. “It was a pretty amazing feeling when I found out from SFU that I had won [the scholarship]. My family was with me at the time. I honestly had no words. I’m able to build my future off this and I’m really excited to have support from the Schulich Foundation.”
A total of 100 scholarships are being awarded by the Foundation – 50 engineering scholarships valued at $120,000 each and 50 science, technology, or math scholarships valued at $100,000.
“Schulich Leader Scholarships enable Canada’s top universities to attract and retain our exceptional STEM talent here at home, empowering them to become the innovators and entrepreneurs our country needs,” said program founder and Canadian businessman and philanthropist Seymour Schulich. “When these scholars go on to drive prosperity and strengthen our economy, Canada must ensure the right economic conditions exist so they can build their promising futures here. Supporting their entrepreneurial ambition is essential for turning Canadian ingenuity into lasting national success.”
Susana Quan, who has been in education for 25 years and became New Westminster Secondary’s principal in 2024, found the nomination process challenging because of the number of students who expressed interest in the scholarship. She ultimately chose Kay based on his academic merits, his goals and vision for his future, and his interpersonal skills.
“I was very excited to contact Noah to say that I publicly and professionally believe that he would be an outstanding candidate for the Schulich STEM,” Quan said. “He’s humble, thoughtful, mature, and an impassioned advocate for his learning at NWSS.”
Kay plans to pursue computer science at SFU with a focus on artificial intelligence. His interest in AI began developing when he was 13 and he worked on many AI-centric side projects over the years. His work in the field landed him an internship at a Toronto-based start-up last January where Kay worked on an AI diarization system. His skills and knowledge earned him a part-time position at the company in June 2024 and he will travel to Toronto this summer to work as an AI engineer for the same firm.
Kay credits New Westminster Secondary for shaping his academic career, particularly highlighting the role of NWSS teacher Val Pontier.
“I probably would not have gotten into my interests without the [school’s] engineering club and the engineering classes I pursued here under Mr. Pontier,” he said. “I’ve noticed there’s so much freedom in his classes to pursue your passion because he wants you to follow that. He’s probably been the biggest catalyst to my development.”
Although this is the first time New Westminster Secondary has produced a Schulich Leadership Scholarship winner, Quan hopes to start a trend by nominating more students in the years to come.
“One day when I retire and my students become adults, I want to see them make a positive difference in the world,” she said. “I’m so happy that Noah was selected because I can’t think of a more worthy candidate for such a prestigious award.”
About Schulich Leader Scholarships Canada
Recognizing the increasing importance and impact that STEM disciplines will have on the prosperity of future generations, businessman and philanthropist Seymour Schulich established this $100+ million scholarship fund in 2012 to encourage our best and brightest students to become Schulich Leader Scholars: the next generation of entrepreneurial-minded, technology innovators.
Through The Schulich Foundation, these prestigious entrance scholarships are awarded to 100 high school graduates enrolling in a science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) undergraduate program at 20 partner universities in Canada. Every high school in Canada can submit one Schulich Leader Nominee per academic year based on academic excellence in STEM, entrepreneurial leadership, and financial need.
About The Schulich Foundation
The Schulich Foundation is one of Canada’s largest foundations, having donated in excess of $350 million. Seymour Schulich established and funded The Schulich Foundation. He holds Canada’s highest civilian award, the Order of Canada. Having benefited greatly from a scholarship that enabled him to do his MBA, Schulich has built a well-earned reputation as a champion for education and access to education in Canada and around the world. The Schulich Foundation has endowed university faculties of business, engineering, medicine, law, education, music, chemistry, nursing and dentistry; libraries, dormitories, courtyards, medical health centers, lecture and music halls. Over 6,000 scholarships are awarded annually to students in Schulich Schools.
The Foundation’s largest initiative is the $100+ million Schulich Leaders Scholarships program, spanning 25 universities across Canada and Israel, in support of students pursuing STEM education.