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. 

We’d like to introduce you to Serena Deol, one of this year’s recipients of the Sullivan Heights Dental Scholarship! This is the first year that we’ve had two scholarships: one for each of our local high schools. Serena graduated in June from Panorama Ridge Secondary School (École Panorama Ridge).

Dr. Himmat Bajwa had a chance to chat with her about school when she recently came into our dental office.

Overall high school experience?

Serena loved her time at Panorama Secondary. She felt the teachers “genuinely cared about the students and want the best for them; giving us opportunities to grow and learn.”

Favourite subjects in high school?

Serena’s favourite subjects were biology, social studies, and social justice in grade 11 “was a lot of fun”.

A co-op program that she did in grade 11 was “one of the best experiences ever. It was cool because we got to go out into the community” to apply what they learned in the classroom and “see it for ourselves.”

Serena went into the community to help others, applying what she learned in the classroom. With only 30 spots in this program, students must apply in grade 10 and be selected. Since it’s a full semester, it’s the only class that they take.

Since social justice is part of this program, Serena had the chance to work with a local non-profit organization, Night Shift in Whalley, helping give food and clothing to the homeless during the winter. They also took field trips to Vancouver. As a career-based program, people came in to talk about their related work experience and how they used their education to further their learning skills.

Your most influential teacher?

Mr. Fast, her hard-working soccer coach and co-op program leader. He had a lot of advice for us that was very helpful.

She says, “He lives life to the fullest and found him encouraging and motivational.” Mr. Fast was the first one at school working out and playing hockey after school, despite some serious knee injuries in the past.

What activities did you pursue at school?

In the Co-Op Program Serena did two work experience ‘externships’: One at a physiotherapy clinic and one at Shoppers Drug Mart.

In a leadership program in grade 9 and 10, Serena organized fundraisers and events in the community. This taught her responsibility at a young age, getting to know people within the community, and focused her more on school fundraising.

For physical activity Serena played soccer, a sport she has played since age 4. Her whole family loves the sport, all of her cousins play as well. She now really enjoys giving back to the sport through coaching youth soccer at her soccer club.

What are your plans for continuing education?

Serena will be starting University of Fraser Valley in September! She’s in kinesiology, as well as taking a business and sociology class.

Do you have a career goal in mind?

Physiotherapy because of her passion for soccer and interest in biology.

A big congratulations to Serena! Meet our other scholarship recipient, Kevin.