The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Education:

Mr. Speaker, I rise in this Honourable House today to congratulate Jevon Marsh of Bonavista who was recently named to the Rhodes Scholars-elect class of 2021, earning him a prestigious scholarship worth more than $100,000. Awarded annually, this scholarship recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a strong propensity to emerge as a leader for the world’s future.

Jevon holds a Master of Science degree from Queen’s University and a Bachelor of Science Honours degree from Memorial University. He is passionate about using chemistry to tackle some of the greatest challenges in cancer research, and is a recognized Canadian scholar and invited research scholar throughout Europe.

As a passionate mental health advocate, Jevon helped pioneer a peer support program and scholarship at Memorial University and has also helped refugees settling in Canada. He wishes to further his research in chemistry at Oxford University, developing therapeutics for children with rare brain cancers.

The Rhodes Scholarship is a life-changing opportunity for exceptional young people with the potential to make a difference for good in the world.

I congratulate Jevon and hope his time at Oxford University enriches his life, solidifies the foundations for his academic future and opens doors to new and exciting opportunities.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all Honourable Members to join me in congratulating Jevon on becoming the Rhodes Scholar-elect for the 2021 class.

Thank you.