Black Kat Scholars 2021F R E D E RIC TO N H IG H

S C HO O L

Rebecca Aube

Rebecca Aubé, daughter of Maurice Aubé and Sara Rothman, has focussed her community

involvement on initiatives that foster leadership development and social justice. As a

member of CISV since 2014, Rebecca has held several senior positions with the local

chapter of the organization and has represented Canada at a month-long gathering of

international delegations. She has committed close to 2500 volunteer hours to mentoring

youth through YMCA programming. Rebecca is an accomplished Highland Dancer. She

has competed at the local and provincial level, earning a spot on Team New Brunswick on

two separate occasions. In 2019, Rebecca placed second overall in her category at

Nationals. Next Year, Rebecca plans to attend the University of New Brunswick, Saint

John campus, for the Bachelor of Health program.

Bhavesh Bhargava

Bhavesh Bhargava, son of Manoj and Punita Bhargava, has been an active member of both the school and

greater communities. Bhavesh has been a member of the student representative council as well as the grad

class committee. Bhavesh served as the co-vice president of the positive action committee in his first year at

Fredericton High School. At school, Bhavesh has been a member of numerous sports teams as well including

being a part of the swim team for 3 consecutive years where they won provincials. Bhavesh has also been a

part of the school volleyball team for 3 consecutive years as well. Bhavesh has played on club teams for more

than 8 years for the Reds Volleyball club and the Fredericton Aquanaut Swim Team and Team New

Brunswick for volleyball. Next year, Bhavesh will pursue Biomedical Sciences at UNBSJ and play volleyball

for the Seawolves.

J Bianca Cruz

Bianca Cruz, daughter of Joan Pascual and Leo Cruz, has remained an active component of both her school and the municipal

community. Bianca has been involved in the Model United Nations, the FHS String Orchestra, and the Kats Kitchen program.

Outside of school, Bianca has been an avid violinist for over 10 years. She is a member of the UNB Senior String Orchestra as well

as Symphony New Brunswick, and has represented Fredericton in music festivals at the provincial and national level. This year,

she was the recipient of the Fredericton Music Festival Award of Excellence for string instruments. In the pre-Covid years, Bianca

enjoyed sharing her music by organizing concerts for the seniors’ ward at the DECH, and in local nursing homes. She currently

volunteers at Hospice Fredericton as a screener, and is the External Communications Officer of the Youthhelpingyouth NB

nonprofit committee. One recent project she is proud of, is the COVID awareness online presentation she organized and conducted

for several classes in Park Street Elementary School, in an effort to grant a better understanding of the pandemic to younger

children. In her free time, Bianca enjoys: reading, long distance running, eating chocolate and travelling. Next year, Bianca will

pursue a Bachelor of Science in Biology at UNB, and hopes to continue being an active member of the Fredericton community.

Cynthia Cui

Cynthia Cui, child of Jian Li and Jack Cui, has been actively involved in her school and greater community.

Cynthia is the Treasurer of the Student Representative Council which she has been a member of for four years.

She also serves as the secretary for the New Brunswick Provincial Student Council. Cynthia is a dedicated chess

player who has represented New Brunswick and Canada at national and international competitions. She is a

national chess champion and is a six-time provincial chess champion. Throughout high school, Cynthia has been

working on a flood prediction and visualization application which was inspired by hardships her community

faces. Her application has won multiple awards at provincial and national science fairs. In her community,

Cynthia is a chess instructor, swimming instructor, and lifeguard. Next year, Cynthia plans to pursue a degree in

engineering at the University of Alberta where she recently accepted the Schulich Leaders Scholarship.

DaphneDairo-Singerr

Daphne Dairo-Singerr, daughter of Ade and Daniel Dairo-Singerr, has been an active member of FHS and greater communities. Daphne was

an active member of Tech Crew where she helped work as a lighting and sound technician during school events and theatre productions and

participated in the school’s Production for the first three years. In her grade 9 year, she was involved in Black Kat Ambassadors, which is a

club that promotes multiculturalism and diversity throughout the school, and Positive Action Committee, which aims to spread love and

positivity. By organizing events in the club, she helped create a sense of joy among FHS students. She has also maintained a high academic

average over all four years. Outside of school, she has volunteered at the Lighthouse Bookstore. Additionally, she volunteers at her church

where she works with the media team. Daphne has served the greater community of Fredericton, Geary, and Woodstock, New Brunswick

through a youth missions trip she went on during the summer of 2019 called Tidal Impact. Tidal Impact is a week-long youth missions trip that

occurs in Atlantic Canada every two years. She impacted the community of Geary by doing yard work and hosting an event for youth for

Geary Elementary School. She also took part in a Show and Tell at a retirement home, served sweets, tea and coffee at the Lion’s Club, and

partook in a huge food drive for the Oromocto Food Bank. Next year, Daphne will be attending the University of New Brunswick where she

will major in Software Engineering.

Zoe Fullerton

Zoe Fullarton, daughter of Angela Fullarton has been an active member of Fredericton High School. Zoe has been

a part of Fredericton High Schools Student Hunger program; Kat’s Kitchen and this year was an executive

member. Zoe was a member of Fredericton Fast tracks running team. She has been apart of several advanced

classes including Biology, Physics and Calculus. This year she completed the AP Calculus and AP Physics exams.

She is Track and Field and Cross-country Runner. She competed in the NBIAA Cross Country league throughout

grade 9 to grade 12. Her Cross-country team won the banner in both grade 9 and Grade 11. Zoe competed in

Track and Field all four years of High School as well. Her team won the NBIAA AAA banner in both grade 10

and 9. In the summer of 2019 Zoe volunteered at Worlds Unbound camps for several weeks. Next year, Zoe will

pursue Medical Science at Dalhousie university and she will take part in their Cross Country and Track team.

EmmaHe

Emma He, daughter of Zhibin He and Xin Wang, has been a positive and active member of both the school and

community. Emma has dedicated her time to various associations and places, with volunteer work that includes

George Street Middle School as a tutor for EAL students and a mentor for Grade 8 Language Arts students. At school,

Emma has been a part of the Emergency Response Team for 4 years and was elected Senior Chair for this year. Emma

has also been a part of the Positive Action Committee, Kats Kitchen and the school Concert Band. In the greater

community, Emma has been a part of the Chinese Cultural Association of New Brunswick since 2009, taking part in

their dance group. Emma is a brilliant pianist and slam poet. Emma has received second place for solo piano at

Provincials and has received her Grade 10 RCM certificate in First Class honours. Emma has competed in the Speak

Out competition twice and has won districts twice. Next year, Emma plans to attend UNB and pursue a degree in

Nursing and hopes to write music.

SwatiJayachandran

Swati Jayachandran, daughter of Jay and Deepa, has participated in many extra-curricular activities inside and outside

of school. She has been a member of the Emergency Response Team for four years and was also a part of Best

Buddies and the Positive Action Committee for two years. During her final year of high school, she was a member of

the Grad Class Committee, where she helped coordinate events for the graduating class. Swati played for the FHS

Junior Varsity and Varsity Badminton Team where she won two provincial titles. She has also played piano for 10

years and during Christmas times would play at the retirement homes. During the summer she volunteers as a Junior

Counsellor for the World’s UNBound camp. Next year, Swati is attending the University of New Brunswick for the

Bachelor of Sciences program.

Mallory Kelly

Mallory Kelly, daughter of Kim Kelly and the late David Kelly has been an active member of the

school and greater community. She played varsity soccer at FHS her team made it to back to

back Provincials. She won the Top Academic Player this last season and had previously won an award for

Team Commitment. As a member of the Junior Varsity Girls Basketball team, she won back to back

Provincial titles. She was named Coaches Choice in her first year with her team. In her Grade 12, she

assisted the Junior Varsity Girls as team manager. She was also a competitive soccer play with

Premiership teams with the Fredericton District Soccer Association. She is involved with her community

and has volunteered organizing special events with Hospice Fredericton. She recently participated in a

Trails Clean up day. Next year, Mallory will attend UNB taking a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology

and has received a $5,000 scholarship for her first year.

AbigailO’Connor

Abigail O’Connor, daughter of Michael and Jocelyn O’Connor, has been involved in both the school and greater communities over

the past four years. Abigail has been a member of the Emergency Response Team at Fredericton High School for two years, and

served as the senior chairperson this year. She swam with the FHS Junior Varsity swim team in 2017-18, where her 4x100 medley

relay team placed first at provincials. In the community, she has volunteered at Islandview Veterinary Hospital, where she will be

working this summer. Abigail was a member of the Fredericton Aquanauts Swim Team for 8 years, where she received several

provincial awards for top 3 placements and received a top FINA points award for females aged 13-14. Abigail has competed

nationally and represented her province at the 2017 Summer Canada Games and the 2018 Eastern Canadian Championships.

Recently Abigail has taken up dog sports, her and her dog “The Wandmaker” (Ollie), have earned their Trick Dog Novice,

Intermediate, and Advanced titles. They are preparing to compete in rally obedience and agility this summer, with goals of titling in

both. Abigail has trained Ollie to a high level of obedience; they are a service dog team meeting the legal standards for public access,

and have done obedience demonstrations and therapy work in a nursing home. Next year, Abigail plans to attend the University of

New Brunswick to study Biology, with a goal of attending the UPEI Atlantic Veterinary College.

MitchellPero

Mitchell Pero, child of Robert and Brenda Pero, has been an active participant in many sports teams and

academic activities throughout his life. He has been part of 8 sports teams throughout his high school career,

including the varsity soccer and basketball teams. He has won a provincial championship as part of the JV basketball

team, and a regional championship with the JV volleyball team. In academics, he has won the great Canadian

geography challenge in grade 10, and the maintained an honors status throughout high school. Outside of school he

has a lot of volunteer and employment experience. He has volunteered in various capacities, at the Greener Village

Food Bank, Ducks Unlimited and coaching YMCA youth basketball. Mitchell has worked as a YMCA youth

basketball referee, at the Sunset U-pick for 3 summers, and conducted lawn maintenance for the past few years. Next

year, Mitchell plans to pursue a degree in Engineering at UNB, most likely in Mechanical Engineering.

VirginiaPhillips

Virginia Phillips, daughter of Bruce and Cathy Phillips, has been an active participant in both school and in her community. Virginia has

been a part of the FHS soccer team for four years, competing at the varsity level for three years, and earning the role of team captain in

her final year of varsity soccer. She has also been an avid member in the Fredericton District Soccer Association, playing in this league

for upwards of thirteen years, as well as playing on the Provincial Soccer Team for seven years. Throughout her soccer career, Virginia

has won many awards such as the FDSA Fair Play award (2019), FHS Unsung Hero Award (2019), and FHS MVP (2020). When she is

not playing soccer, Virginia still spends her time at the field. She has volunteered her time the past four years coaching youth soccer for

players aged 4-15. Recently, she has been volunteering to help the FDSA in their Covid-19 screening process. Within FHS, Virginia has

been a member of the Best Buddies club, joining in grade 8, and continuing for all four years of high school. During grade 10, she

became a member of the executive under the position of Activities Coordinator. As Best Buddies is a Student led club, the executive

members must have great responsibility. During her time as Activities Coordinator, it was her job to plan, prepare for, and execute every

event held within the club. Next year, Virginia will attend the University of New Brunswick to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in

Biology.

SameenSaeed

Sameen Saeed, daughter of Syed Ahmed Saeed Naqvi and Aniqa Saeed, has been an active member of the school and the greater

community. Sameen has been a member of numerous clubs at school, such as Model United Nations, Math, and Yearbook. She serves as

Vice-President for the Positive Action Committee, Volunteering and Special Project Coordinator for Global Minds and is an executive

leader for Kats Kitchen. She has been at the helm of many projects in Kats Kitchen during her senior year. Sameen won first place in the

Canadian Parents for French Oratorical Competition (Concours D'art Oratoire) for three consecutive years, since Grade 10. Sameen is

the only New Brunswicker to have secured first place this year at the National level; she has won in Core French. An avid learner and

peer tutor, Sameen finds teaching to be an engaging activity. She has offered free tuition throughout high school. Sameen has tutored

students in the community in many subjects, young and old, including mathematics, and French to non-native speakers, to name a few.

She holds sessions throughout the school year. In addition, Sameen has participated in painting with the Multicultural Association of

Fredericton and volunteered at the public library. Recently, Sameen has received substantial scholarships and awards from Dalhousie,

McMaster and UNB; however, she has accepted an offer from the University of Toronto. Next year, Sameen plans to pursue Life

Sciences and follow her father's footsteps to be a doctor, continue to foster her passions, and give back to her community.

XiutingShi

Xiuting Shi, daughter of Hui Pang and Yu Shi, has been involved in the school community as well as the overall

Fredericton community. Xiuting has been a member of the Emergency Response Team for four years, serving on the

executive team as Supplies Manager in her final year. As well, she has been involved with Katz Kitchen, band, math

tutor, debate, and served as a Homeroom Representative. Xiuting was also involved with the Chinese community, having

taken dance lessons and performed in several Chinese New Year galas, and taught art lessons to children through the

CCANB school. And, she has contributed to the elderly community through the months she dedicated to being a bingo

caller at Ste. Anne’s Court. Xiuting is a budding artist. She has been a volunteer at the Connexion ARC (artist-run

center). In addition, Xiuting is the recipient of the Fred Ross scholarship. Furthermore, she will be completing an art

residency through the Fredericton Arts Alliance over the summer. In the fall, Xiuting will be studying architecture at the

University of Waterloo.

MatthewSnow

Matthew Snow, son of David Snow and Lisa Martin, has shown great pride being involved in his high school and giving back to

his community. Matthew has been involved with sports at Fredericton High School and has invested four years of his life showing

great strength of character towards his teams in baseball and his primary sport of volleyball. He was always a leader on the court and

was great support to his teammates. Matthew represented his province as team captain for VNB in the Eastern Elite Championships.

As a student at Fredericton High School, he showed great strengths towards his academics and was always working towards making

himself a better person. Matthew is a very well-rounded student when it came to community involvement and volunteerism by taking

part in Scouts and Venturers. During his time in Scouts, he was awarded the greatest honour in Scouting, Chief Scout, which took him

many years to accomplish. During his time as a Venture, he showed great leadership skills in planning the company’s adventures such

as the nine peak Presidential Traverse hike in New Hampshire, Maine. Matthew is always quick to help his community and to stay

involved. Through Scouting, he earned his Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award. Next year, Matthew plans to pursue Biology and

Chemistry at UNB and to complete his Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Kayley Urquhart

Kayley Urquhart, daughter of Jason and Krista Urquhart, has been a proud FHS Black Kat, community leader and volunteer in the

Fredericton region. Over her four years at FHS, Kayley energetically committed hundreds of volunteer hours at numerous youth programs

and camps across NB as lifeguard, mentor and coach. Her teachers and leaders commented often of her warm and joyful personality,

helping others feel welcomed and included. She has been recognized for her strong work ethic both academically and in the community.

As a competitive and awarded athlete, Kayley focused on badminton and track & field while at FHS. She won numerous regional

and provincial competitions in both singles and doubles badminton as part of the FHS team and Fredericton EV Staples competitive club.

In addition to her studies, volunteering and competitive sports, Kayley earned her National Lifeguard certification, working as a lifeguard

at UNB and instructor for youth swimming programs at the Fredericton YMCA, UNB and Green Hill Lake Camp.

In the Fall, Kayley will be pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology degree program from UNB Fredericton, with a focus in

the pre-medicine stream. She will be continuing to seek out volunteer opportunities while working as a lifeguard at UNB and for the City

of Fredericton.

CarolineVanicek

Caroline Vanicek, daughter of Marianne and Filip Vanicek, has been an active member of both FHS and the greater

community. Caroline has been a member of Kat’s Kitchen for the past two years. She has spent many hours

volunteering over the past several years, including volunteering at Gallery 78 and for Meals on Wheels. Caroline has

been playing piano for the past twelve years, receiving her Grade 10 piano certification from the Royal Conservatory

of Music. She has also been dancing with Dance Fredericton for the past eleven years. Caroline has represented

Fredericton in the NB Provincial Music Festival several times, this year placing third in the intermediate level. After

entering the Chinese Star Short Video Contest through the Confucius Institute, Caroline was awarded second place.

This year, she took part in several AP courses, and wrote the AP Calculus AB and AP Physics 1 exams in May. Next

year, Caroline plans to attend UNB to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree with plans to major in Physics.

AmandaZhang

Amanda Zhang has been an active member of both her school and community throughout high

school. She has been a member of Student Council for the past four years and served as the president

this year. She is also the President of the Provincial student council. Amanda has played soccer at the

JV and Varsity level as well as for the city and the province. She is a recipient of the C. David

Naylor Scholarship and the Arbor Scholarship at the University of Toronto; which is where she will

be heading to pursue a Bachelor of Commerce in the fall.

CongratulationsBlack Kat Scholars

CLASS OF 2021