Hannah Mazier

What education have you taken?

I attended elementary school at Forrest Elementary and high school at Elton Collegiate in Forrest, Manitoba where I was on the Honour Roll from Grades 9 to 12. After high school, I immediately went to Brandon University to take my Bachelor of Science degree. I am currently in my 3rd year of my B.Sc., taking a Biology major (in the Biomedical Stream) and a Chemistry minor.

What accomplishments are you most proud of?

I am proud of winning the Governor General Award for Highest Academic Standing in Grade 11 and 12, and the Congeniality Award as voted on by fellow students upon graduating from Elton. I also received the Manitoba Youth Leadership Scholarship upon graduation. I was a co-president of Elton Collegiate’s Student Council in Grade 12 and coordinated the Elton Collegiate Life Bus on behalf of Canadian Blood Services. I am also very proud of having been a member of the Youth in Philanthropy group at Elton Collegiate.

At Brandon University, I had the privilege of receiving the Brandon University Board of Governor’s Entrance Scholarship, the James Harvey Tolton Memorial Scholarship, and the Simplot Canada Ltd. Entrance Scholarship in 2009, as well as the Brandon Clinic Scholarship in First Year Zoology in 2010. I am thrilled to be the vice-president of Brandon University Zoological Society (BUZS). I have also volunteered for Special Olympics Manitoba at track-meets in Brandon.

Tell me about yourself/ your background/ your history.

I was raised on our family farm near Justice, Manitoba, where we grow grain and had a variety of livestock such as cattle, sheep, pigs, turkeys, and chickens. I attended 4-H Beef Club for two years. I participated in school sports such as soccer and basketball, and was involved in drama productions and dance in Brandon.

Currently, I am involved in various clubs such as Brandon University Physics and Astronomy Club (BUPAC), BUZS, and World University Service of Canada (WUSC). I will also continue to volunteer as a Student Leader for Brandon University Orientation. I enjoy snowboarding, skiing, ultimate disk, swimming, kayaking, reading, and writing. I am a tutor for first-year biology courses.

How did you become interested in your field of study?

I became interested in biology since taking science classes in elementary school from a very inspiring teacher. I loved learning about how the world works around us. I solidified my interest in biology while taking courses at BU, realizing the true extent of my fascination on the subject. I am particularly fond of learning about the body systems of both humans and other animals.

What is your philosophy in life?

My philosophy is to always be gracious when somebody provides you with an opportunity or extends a hand to help. By cooperating together, the world can be a much easier place to live.

I also think it is important to be kind to others, and to treat everybody with respect. There is no such thing as a better or worse person and we should treat each other fairly without judgment.

Where do you see yourself in the future?

I hope to continue learning and gaining new knowledge for the rest of my life as a biology/medical researcher after graduating from Brandon University with my B.Sc. degree and further graduate studies. I intend to travel often, meet plenty of interesting people and eventually raise a family.

Nominator’s Comments

Coming from a local farm upbringing, Hannah collected the Governor General Award and a Manitoba Leadership Scholarship upon graduation and registering in classes at BU. Hannah has a superior academic record and is very active in student clubs and local charities and takes up volunteer activities, notably the Special Olympics.Intending to go on to graduate school, Hannah’s major is in the biomedical stream of Biology, and she is on the executive of the Brandon University Zoological Society. Hannah is a role model and tutor for biology students, serves with WUSC and BUPAC and is a valued student leader during our first-year students orientation. She has been employed summers at the Brandon Research Station. She is clearly worthy of this distinction.