Caylee Dorval, a Grade 12 student from Glaslyn attending Glaslyn Central School, is a national finalist in the 10th Annual RBC Black History Month Student Essay Competition.
Dorval is the only student from Saskatchewan to be named as a finalist.
Each finalist receives a $500 scholarship courtesy of RBC. Dorval, who is from a farming family, wrote an essay entitled “John Ware’s importance in Canadian agriculture.” John Ware was born into slavery in the 19th century on a plantation in South Carolina. After the Civil War he left for Texas where he worked as a rancher. With great work ethic and perseverance, Ware worked his way up to Canada driving cattle from Texas to Montana and then into what is now the Canadian prairies.
Dorval told the News-Optimist, “I was thrilled to hear that I was chosen as a finalist. I was also very surprised.”
Her interest in agriculture made writing the essay a natural thing to do.
“I am passionate about agriculture and so it was an easy essay for me to write, when I learned of John Ware and his significance within the Canadian livestock industry.”
Dorval plans to make her future in the agriculture industry.
“I am planning on studying animal science technology next year at Lakeland College,” she said.
RBC Black History Month Student Essay Competition is open to students across Canada who have applied to attend college or university in the 2019/20 academic year. It asks students to learn about and share their thoughts on how black Canadians have helped to define Canada’s diverse heritage and identity through their achievements and contributions to the broader society. Essays can be a maximum of 750 words. A panel of judges from across the country reads all 30 finalist essays and decides on a top three. First place receives a scholarship of $5,000, second place an additional scholarship of $2,500, and third place an additional scholarship of $1,500.
Over the past 10 years, 188 students have received $180,500 by writing essays about influential black Canadians. According to the release announcing Dorval being named a finalist, more than 2,000 essays have been submitted, focusing on a wide range of influential figures – from Olympian Donovan Bailey to musician Oscar Peterson to politician Lincoln Alexander.
The most written about black Canadians over the contest’s 10-year history, however, are all women. Author, journalist and human rights advocate Carrie Best has been the most written about. Rosemary Brown (the first black woman to be elected to a Canadian provincial legislature) second, and Mary-Ann Shadd Cary (19th century anti-slavery activist and the first black female publisher in Canada) third.
“RBC is very proud to celebrate the rich cultural mosaic that makes this country so unique, while helping to offset the ever-increasing cost of post-secondary education,” said Kris Depencier, Greater Toronto Regional President, RBC. “We’ve been truly moved by the personal inspiration the graduating high school students on this year's shortlist draw from great black Canadians.”
Winners will be announced Monday, Feb. 11, and invited to a special event celebrating the 10th anniversary of the contest, held in Toronto Feb. 28.
