Shad Entrance Scholarships for Black Students– Fayhaa Kafi
Q: Tell us a bit about yourself.
Hi, my name is Fayhaa Kafi. I’m currently a grade 11 International Baccalaureate (IB) student at Semiahmoo Secondary School in Surrey, BC. Although I have a deep passion for STEM, I often find myself dabbling in creative hobbies and dramatic arts. Right now, my biggest hobbies are baking and crocheting, but they’re always changing!
Q: Why do you want to participate in the Shad program/ What are you most looking forward to?
The primary reason I want to participate in Shad is my enduring passion for STEM. Last year, I competed at the 2023 Canada-Wide Science Fair (CWSF) and made many friends who had attended Shad at various campuses across Canada. Each of them had vibrant and unique stories alongside countless memories they shared with me. Although I first heard of Shad in my first year of high school, I never truly considered it an amazing opportunity until hearing firsthand how spectacularly the social, intellectual, and emotional growth the program provided affected alums’ relationship with academic studies as a whole.
Q: What motivates or sparks your curiosity in STEAM and/or entrepreneurship?
From a young age, my mom exposed me to a plethora of biology-focused academics. Because I was so young when she started studying medicine, her innate curiosity about how the world works on a macro level was contagious. Later in life, I viewed competitions, academics, and programs like Shad as opportunities for me to explore and revisit my childhood fascination with the work of my mom, exploring everything the world has to offer.
Q: How do you envision your future?
Currently, I see myself attending a provincial university for a degree in applied biology, minoring in a humanities-based subject. I love both the sciences and humanities, so I hope to incorporate both of them at similar levels in jobs related to medicine, forensics, or general biological research. I also love public speaking and have a passion for voicing my concerns about global issues ranging from climate change to racism. I see myself frequently speaking out against issues like these, both in my workplaces and on a broader public stage.
Want to meet the other Black students Scholars? Read their stories
