Application for the Duncan Norrie Memorial Scholarship

Alex Lazarow

            April 29^th, 2002

I believe that I would be a good candidate for the Duncan Norrie Memorial Scholarship. My teachers and peers have told me that I have many talents, qualities, and interests, which include the following.
            I have initiative, motivation and the capacity and ability for leadership and organization.  An example of this was my helping organizing "from scratch" (and including arranging for the transportation, hotels, chaperons, tournament registration, funding and fielding a debate team from St. Paul's High School) to go to the McGill University North American Debate Championships.  I organized this with the help of Mrs. Ramjug, and our school’s debate team did very well at the tournament. My team placed 14^th out of over 400 teams.

In addition to my leadership and organizational skills, another quality that I have is that I am fluently bilingual.  French is my maternal language, although I also speak and write English fluently. In 9th grade, I took my 1st year university AP French Exam, and received the maximum possible mark of a 5.  I recently did the French SAT-II Exam, and got a perfect score of 800 (99^th percentile).  My score on the English portion of the regular SAT-Exam was 640 (87^th percentile).
            I consider myself to be a very friendly and outgoing person. I have always made friends easily and have always tried to be inclusive with my friends. By that I mean I try never to let anyone be excluded fro

I am also very active in athletics and have played a lot of competitive sports. When I lived in Ottawa, I played for the Ottawa Royals soccer city team. I have also played for various Winnipeg soccer teams, and this year I was captain of my indoor recreational team. I was also on the Manitoba Provincial Ping Pong Team. In addition, I am an avid skier, and am rated at level 8, which means I can comfortably ski all runs including double diamonds and off-piste runs.  I have also swum competitively for a number of years, and was previously ranked in the top ten in Manitoba in the 50m and 100m Butterfly.  In addition to schoolwork and sports, I also enjoy music and am a "Grade 6" level pianist. I also am a member of the Christian Life Community, and drama club (this year I was assistant director).

My most important school related extracurricular activity is debating. I have been a member of the “debate club” since grade 9. Since then, I have gone to Nationals 4 times always placing in the top 15. In addition, I placed 2^nd at the Western Nationals in           ``cross-examination`` and 5^th overall. Debating had helped me to see that each story has two sides, and has opened my eyes to the problems of the world. I have also participated in the National Student Commonwealth Forum and various UN conferences.

My parents have never given me an allowance. Because of this, I have always had to work to make money. When I was younger, I would mow the lawn and do the dishes. I have also worked as a soccer referee and as a receptionist for St. Paul’s. Currently, I work as a Swimming Instructor and Lifeguard, and have done so for the past 1 1/2 years. I have three part time jobs working at the Rady Jewish Community Center, the Wildwood Club, and for the City of Winnipeg, and work approximately 22-25 hours a week.
            An important aspect of a well-rounded individual is also academic achievement. Since entering St. Paul's High School in the 9th grade, I have been on the "Gold Card" Honor Roll every semester and every year. 

“When I grow up”, I plan to acquire an undergraduate Commerce I would then like to get a combined MBA and LLB degree and I plan to specialize in international business litigation. My dream, after I have accomplished all of the above is to then one day enter politics, and hopefully make my mark on society and to help others in need. Of course, I also dream of the other good things in life such as long life and health, and a good family.

I have tried very hard to become a well-rounded individual. Although I have always done well academically, I have also always tried to be active in volunteer work and trying to do things for others.  I have also been involved in many extracurricular activities including sports and music. Hopefully, my personal and academic qualities will make me a good candidate for the Duncan Norrie Memorial Scholarship. Thank you very much for considering my application.

Alexandre F. Lazarow