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 Mani Batth, one of this year’s recipients of the Sullivan Heights Dental Scholarship! This is the second year that we’ve had two scholarships, one for each of our local high schools. Mani graduated in June from Panorama Ridge Secondary School (École Panorama Ridge).

Dr. Himmat Bajwa had a chance to chat with Mani about high school and his university plans.

This interview has been edited for brevity.

Tell me about your recent trip?

Four weeks in England. I’m from there, and moved here eight years ago. . .all my family is there, especially grandparents.

How would you rate your high school experience at Panorama Ridge?

There was definitely some learning points. I very much enjoyed it, I made some really close friends. And I learned a lot.

What was your favourite subject in high school?

I enjoyed Math—because it’s always a complete puzzle, and I enjoy solving puzzles.

Did you enjoy Science as well?

Yes sciences as well….they’re all based on theory. I like the complexity and abstract nature. Chemistry as well.

Did you have an influential teacher?

Yes, there was one of my teachers who I started with in Grade 9, Ms. Dhaliwal. She was an English & Drama teacher but I had her frequently, almost every year until the last year. She was always my hype person who believed in me and everything. And in Grade 11 I was peer tutoring in her class so we became really close.

Were you involved in any activities at school?

I wasn’t involved in any sports, I was involved in leadership. . . it was mostly teamwork stuff. We held a lot of fundraisers, for example in Grade 8 we held a cancer fundraiser where we had students and teachers cut their hair and donate to charity—we raised a lot of money for it. . . (we had) donations on site, we had music, playing, and it was a big turnout for a school event.

What will you miss the most from your time at Sullivan?

Probably being with all my friends. It’s easier being with everyone, like at lunch when you’re with everyone, and knowing my way around.

What are your plans for continuing education starting in September?

I’m attending SFU for Health Sciences in the Life Sciences stream.

Do you have a career goal in mind?

I’d like to pursue a career in medicine. . .at the moment I like dermatology.

 

A big congratulations to Mani! Meet our other 2022 scholarship recipient, Eesha Rehman.