Aris Hadjinicolaou wins Canada Trust Scholarship for Community Leadership

Inspiration blew my way this past rainy and windy Saturday in the persona of Douglas Avenue resident, Aris. Aris is an 18 year old, 2nd year Marianopolis College student, and one of 20 national recipients amonwgst roughly 4000 applicants for this year’s prestigious Canada Trust Scholarship for Community Leadership. Winners each year walk away with 70,000$ invested in their futures, well-speculated as you will see by Aris’ credentials to date.

In addition to achieving academic excellence, Aris serves as President of the Marianopolis Student Congress (and hence will be delivering the valedictory address at this year’s ceremonies), assumes the role of VP Finance for the UNICEF chapter, and coordinates the first aid team all within the school. He has also mobilized a chapter (the first of its kind in a Quebec cégep) of CANFAR, the Canadian non-profit umbrella foundation for AIDS research, and within that organization spearheads numerous fundraisers and awareness events, some as large scale as a half-day conference held at Marianopolis focusing on HIV AIDS in the 21st Century.

Aris’ interest in AIDS research is a by-product of his fascination with molecular biology and his career goals, as he has just chosen to attend pre-med at the Université de Montréal. He is also being proactive about investing in his own career, since he notes that most dollars raised for AIDS and HIV tend to be allocated more towards the organizations aiding the afflicted as opposed to research.

As if this brief recount of two years of accomplishments isn’t impressive enough, Aris possesses an equally well-developed right brain proficiency. Really, I was only kidding when I asked, after hearing of all the above involvements, if he played the piano and guitar as well. Turns out he does, is also trained in dance, and just completed a role in the Greek classic, Antigone. Stop already!

So now we must assume that Aris probably lives in a quiet small household where he has the solitude he needs to study and plan. Nope. Three younger brothers. Aris credits his parents for his motivation and drive; his father is employed with three universities, is working on his second PhD, and runs his own company, and his mom is a psychiatrist.

The wide smile and carefree charisma are deceptive, for Aris has been clearly introspective about his activism. He purposely concentrates on his activities outside the realm of his academics because academics come easily to him, and because he believes it produces more of a direct difference.

He is self-confident and simultaneously aware of and grateful for his gifts. He admits to becoming easily irritated with a need to control when he is stressed. With a plate as full as his, I think he should easily forgive himself for what seems to be nothing more serious than a survival tool. By the same token, he relies on delegation and good teamwork as key to success.

Oh, did I mention that Aris also holds down some part time work as both a tutor and teaching assistant? Oh, and did I mention that he is amongst a trio of amigos who will be spending a month in China this summer as part of a Free the Children project, where they will volunteer, teaching English and assisting in building schools?

Aris gets by on very little sleep, the late night being his favourite time be it for reflection on the “greater, bigger, existential things...or partying”, his words. His fave book would be Catcher in the Rye, fave music top of the charts Mix96 like Lady Gaga and Michael Bublé, and favourite quote is from William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, “Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon 'em.”

Tough job, but someone’s gotta do it, Doc! Have no doubt you will.