Maymont student honoured with Rhodes Scholarship

“The master’s program I would like to enter into is eight to nine months,” she said. “Then, I would like to start my doctorate [degree], which is supposed to take about three to four years.”

Serhienko will begin her studies in September. The adventure will be especially eventful for her since it will be her first time visiting England.

“I went on a [trip] when I was in high school. My school did a travel-club trip and we went to Switzerland and Italy,” she said. “But that’s about as much major travel as I’ve ever done. So it will be very exciting to get to see England, and see Oxford.“

Serhienko previously completed her education degree in 2021, and spent some time working as a substitute teacher in Saskatoon, and with Living Sky School Division. She is currently studying English honours at the University of Saskatchewan.

The young academic first applied to be considered for the Rhodes Scholarship this past summer.

“There is a minimal grade-point average,” she said. “You also have to demonstrate commitment to service and leadership, community involvement, and a passion for your fields. Then, there is an actual application process. So, I had to apply to my university first, for the university’s endorsement.”

Serhienko said she always had a strong commitment to her studies and to academics. She has also been involved in peer mentoring. As well, she has worked on research projects at the University of Saskatchewan.

She said she has also always been a community-oriented person as well.

Seeing her win such a distinguished scholarship, Serhienko’s parents are quite thrilled with her accomplishments.

“They are all very excited, very proud,” she said. “It’s definitely overwhelming for them. It is completely life changing.”

Serhienko has always hoped to pursue advanced studies in english literature, so studying at the University of Oxford will be a dream come true.

Opening doors

“It’s really the best place you could want to go to study that,” she said. “I don’t know without Rhodes, if I would have had the opportunity to go there. It really opens up so many other doors for me.”

Something that also appealed to Serhienko about the Rhodes program was studying in an academic community that is both diverse and international.

“All Rhodes scholars are studying different disciplines, coming from different backgrounds. But by nature of the Rhodes scholarship, they have similar values about leadership, and community service,” she said. “What that means to everybody might look a little bit different. So, getting to study in an environment where you are getting to learn from some of the other inspiring people I thought was really exciting.”

To other young people with a yearning to pursue a Rhodes scholarship, Serhienko says go for it.

“The application process for the Rhodes [scholarship] can be intimidating. You need to gather so many materials, and you need all these references,” she said. “I think it is something that a lot of people might count themselves out from before they even start. But I think it’s really important to go for things like that.”

Serhienko said coming from a small town, from a rural school, people don’t always have the same opportunities that those from larger centres have. But that’s why it is so important for them to strive for a place at the table as well.

“I think it is really important to be able to see people that come from the same place as you, getting to do something different, just pursuing those opportunities, and just not to count yourself out,” she said.

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow

by Angela Brown

Maymont student honoured with Rhodes Scholarship

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