Girl chooses a business career

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VICTORIA-Eighteen-year-old Kate Harris is one of only five student chosen by the Royal Bank's RBC Financial Group (RBC) to receive an Aboriginal Student Award this year.

The award is given to Aboriginal students with an eye on a business career and aspirations of attending a relevant post-secondary program.

Harris attends Lester B. Pearson United World College in Victoria, following which she will attend Simon Fraser University to study economics. As early as Grade 5, Harris started an investment portfolio to help pay for higher education. Last year she was singled out for her dedication and achievements several times. She received recognition as the top delegate in Junior Team Canada's International trade mission to Asia in 2002. That meant she was chosen for one of the youth positions on the prime minister's trade mission too. In addition to her business interests, the young Metis woman is a violinist who has won musical awards such as the grand prize at the National Youth Talent Awards.

This is the ninth consecutive year RBC has granted these awards. Since 1992, they have given 54 scholarships totaling $486,000. An independent committee of Aboriginal academics selects the scholarship winners, based on personal and academic achievements and their financial need. They must have demonstrated leadership, creativity and community involvement to be considered.

Information about the Aboriginal Student Awards Program can be found online at www.rbc.com/uniquecareers/campus/aboriginal-student-awards.html.