AEF CAMPAIGN CONNECTION
Could badminton be a metaphor for life? The sport has certainly taught Adriana Holcek a lot more than how to hit a great smash. Through it she learned mental toughness, discipline and how to suc- ceed — all things she can apply to her studies and a future career in chemical engineering. “Playing competitive sport from a young age really taught me dedication, perseverance and that nothing is given to you. You have to go out and get it yourself,” says Ms. Holcek, who played through- out junior high and high school, and represented Canada at the World Junior Badminton Championships during her first year at the University of Calgary. “I’ve continued that mindset at university.” While she no longer competes, she’s still involved with the sport as a coach. And she’s found other ways to stay active, like joining the U of C Dinos Track and Field Team and the university’s Triathlon Club. She also competes in half-marathon and half-Iron- man races. “I just love staying active,” explain Ms. Holcek. “Sport is a really great way to stay balanced.” That’s important if — like Ms. Holcek — you’re also juggling school work, community service, and other leadership endeavours. Several scholarships, including a $3,500 award from the APEGA Education Foundation, have helped make it all possible. “They allowed me to really buckle down and focus on my education during the school year — and to pursue both community and athletic extracurricular activities on the side, without having to worry about where the funds are going to come from,” notes Ms. Holcek. This spring, she wrapped up her third year at the Schulich School of Engineering before starting a seven-month work term with a petroleum evaluations firm. “It’s really cool to see how the engineering work that you do fits into the bigger picture and helps meet society’s needs,” she says. On campus, Ms. Holcek was president of Students Offering Support (SOS) Tutoring, a club that raises money for community projects in Latin America by holding Exam Aid lectures. As a mem- ber of the Chemical and Oil & Gas Engineering Students' Society, she coordinated lunch-and-learns and industry tours. She’s also been accepted into the university’s Scholars Academy, which pro- vides unique programming and mentorship for the U of C’s best and brightest students. In January, after her work term finishes, she plans to spend a semester abroad studying in Singapore before returning to the U of C. She caught the travel bug a couple years ago after spending two months as an international student at Fudan University in Shanghai, China. “One of my goals is to spend some time working internation- ally and broaden my knowledge,” she says. Adriana Holcek, 20 University of Calgary (B.Sc. Chemical Engineering, Minor in Petroleum Engineering) Class of 2017
A scholarship from the APEGA Education Foundation helped Adriana Holcek focus on her engineering education. -photo courtesy Adriana Holcek
FALL 2015 PEG | 35
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker