Steinbacher wins $42,000 scholarship

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This article was published 20/09/2024 (246 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

We’re told from a young age that if we work hard, we can achieve great things, and that adage is true for one Steinbacher who just won a $42,000 scholarship.

Hailey Oswald was awarded the Esther G. Castanera scholarship on Aug. 21. The award recognizes a female student from Steinbach who has declared a major in chemistry, astronomy, physics, math, or biochemistry.

“I’m just shocked and honoured and I hope it’s an inspiration to other Steinbach girls,” said Oswald.

The Esther G. Castanera scholarship was created by the scholarship’s namesake in 1991 and has awarded a total of $244,750 to 13 students. Dr. Castanera graduated from the University of Manitoba in 1942 with a Bachelor of Science degree. She wanted women like herself, from Steinbach, who were interested in science to succeed in the field largely dominated by men.

Oswald said in her first two years of university women were represented about 50 percent of all the students in her science classes. She does admit that in her third year she sees a lot more male representation. She said getting girls interested in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) is a challenge.

“That’s challenging. I think just being aware of the opportunities it gets you. I feel like it’s been such a stereotype that we’re not smart enough, I would say. I’m not sure what we can do to get more women into it because I’ve seen such an increase I’d say in the amount of girls (entering STEM). I wish there were more people telling me what all the options were and how to get there. (I) find it’s a lot of me having to figure it out on my own. I feel if I was aware of my strengths earlier on I would have been able to figure out what I wanted to do a lot earlier.”

Getting to where she’s at was not easy. The 20-year-old has a high degree of discipline, determination, and intelligence. She studies before class in the morning and then after school in two-hour increments broken by 15-minute breaks until midnight. Her end goal is to be a surgeon. She’s not sure what kind of surgeon, but she’s considering either cosmetic, neuro, pediatrics, or orthopedic.

“I’m a perfectionist so I don’t like getting below 90 (percent). Soon as I feel like I’m not quite ready, I feel like I need to keep going…If I don’t do well now, then it’ll make it that much harder to get in, and I’m really, really wanting to get in. It’s such a competitive program, medicine is.”

Oswald said she always liked school and liked the professions that a degree in science led to. She finds biology class boring and repetitive, but chemistry is where she shines.

“I think out of all the subjects I’ve ever done (chemistry) is probably my strongest one. I like the reactions…I find that cool.”

In the end, Oswald said she worked really hard for her marks and her scholarship and she hopes it inspires other girls.

“I hope other girls can see that around and post it around about the opportunities for them that if they choose this route (of science) that there can be big rewards down the way.”

When she’s not studying or going to class, Oswald likes to go to the lake and surf, ski, or tube or just hang out with family and friends. She’s an accomplished swimmer and was recently promoted to head lifeguard at the Steinbach Aquatic Centre.