The Sullivan Heights Dental scholarship is awarded to a local Surrey graduating student who has strong grades in sciences and will be pursuing a post-secondary education. Each recipient receives $500 and is chosen by their school.

Introducing Hriday Sharma, one of this year’s recipients of Sullivan Heights Dental Scholarship! We have two scholarships, one for each of our local high schools. Hriday graduated in June from Sullivan Heights Secondary.

Dr. Himmat Bajwa had a chance to chat with him about high school and his university plans when he visited our Surrey dental office this summer.

Interview is edited for brevity.

How would you rate your overall high school experience at Sullivan?

It’s been a good experience. . . I started my experience at Terri Bull Hill in Burnaby. That’s when I first came into Canada. I came to Sullivan around grade nine and that’s when the whole COVID pandemic was going on. So I missed a few years because of that. But these last couple of years, I really had the chance to actually integrate myself into the school community, participate in events and outside of the school as well and actually focus on my academics with my classmates in a class setting instead of like the online class.

You used to live in Burnaby – when did you come to Surrey?

I came to Canada in around grade seven and that’s when my family and I were living in Burnaby and then after a few years – around grade nine – I moved here to Sullivan.

Where did you move from?

I come from India.

How do you like it here?

Surrey it’s like more Punjabi people here, so I feel better because I relate more to people—the music, the food, I can relate to them. And I can actually play the songs I like.

What was your favorite subject in high school?

My favorite subject has always been the sciences. I’ve always been a fan, I’ve always been good at it. But this year I’d say it was math because I really loved the teacher and he made it more challenging and more interactive. I never found math interesting before. I was okay at it, but this year I really excelled at it and enjoyed it. I also took calculus this year. It was a fun experience, a little challenge.

Who would you say was your most influential teacher?

This year would have been Mr. Lucus. He’s the math teacher. . . He taught calculus and he teaches pre-calc. He usually teaches seniors. So this year I had the chance to meet him and he really makes it his purpose to torment the kids and ask them questions every couple times. . . like you see somebody looking out the window, he’ll ask them question. Keep them engaged.

One thing he did that he had at the party at his house for all the calculus students in the last week. I went there with all my friends. It was a cool experience—we got to meet his family and see his house.

What activities did you pursue in school?

I was part of the global issues club and then the chess club. I was more involved in the community outside of school. I volunteered at care homes and then I also volunteered at a dental clinic with the Dr. Prana dental clinic, I think it’s in Delta.

Do you have any career goals?

Right now I’m going to start studying Life Sciences at the University of Toronto. And after the plan is to become a doctor. I’m not sure what specialty I want to pursue but I think I’ll discover that as I go onto Medical School and progress further in my studies.

Congratulations! You must be excited to be going out to U of T?

It is pretty exciting and I’m going to be living off campus, so my own place and living independently.

What will you miss the most at school?

I guess meeting your friends every day. You’re kind of forced to interact with them so you become friends over time.

Do you have any plans for the summer?

I’m going off to India to meet my family there, and I’ll be there for the month of July.

 

A big congratulations to Hriday!