The Thunder Bolt

Concordia Senior Hai Yen has won the prestigious Margaret Sanders Scholarship as the recipient from the EARCOS region, representing international schools from around Asia. It is not surprising that the sole winner of the Margaret Sanders Scholarship, Hai Yen, recently received the Chancellor’s Scholarship at Vanderbilt University, which includes full tuition as well as a stipend to do independent research.  

The criteria for consideration for the Margaret Sanders Scholarship award is to be an exceptional student and a global citizen who has embraced international education to serve the wider community. 

“I was surprised because there is an increase in applicants, so in a whole region with hundreds of students I was honored to be selected,” said Hai Yen. Asked why she thought she was selected, Hai Yen replied: “I wrote about some really personal experiences. I wrote about a blog I started with my friends and we wrote about feminism and issues we’ve observed around the world, in the form of backhanded compliments, and things that are marketed to us as women.” 

“I also discussed my successes in two global innovation competitions I’ve joined that were on an international scale. I was part of a team that invented an AI system property that identifies animal sounds so that we can use it in environmental conservation, which is something I really care about.” 

One of Concordia’s top students throughout her career, Hai Yen has also engaged in numerous social causes for under-represented groups, something she plans to continue. 

“I’m happy that it means that the work that I’m doing to help others advocate for themselves is being recognized. The award is telling me to continue, expand and do more.”

“I talked about wanting to return to Vietnam and use the international education I have to improve the lives of people and enouracte more sustainable development and improve transparency. The award shows that’s something worth doing, so it really means a lot to me.” 

“Thanks to (Concordia’s Director of Counseling) Mr. Ben Compton for supporting me, helping me organize the things I wanted to say, and creating a story that makes sense,” she added. 

You can read the official scholarship announcement here.