More Than an $80,000 Scholarship: The Lasting Legacy of Notre Dame’s Stephanie Chukwu
When you walk through the doors of an Ottawa Catholic School Board High School, success isn’t just about the numbers on your report card. It’s about discovering who you are, finding the courage to speak up, and realizing you have the power to change your community.
Just ask Stephanie Chukwu.
Stephanie, a soon-to-be graduate of Notre Dame High School, has spent the last four years redefining what it means to be a student leader. This fall, she’s taking her talents across the country as the recipient of the prestigious University of British Columbia Beyond Tomorrow Scholarship, an incredible $80,000 award. But if you ask anyone at Notre Dame, they’ll tell you her real legacy isn’t the scholarship. It is the lasting impact she leaves behind in her school and neighbourhood.
A Powerful Voice for Change
Stephanie didn’t just attend high school; she actively helped shape it. As a key member of her school’s Black Student Association, she worked directly with the Black Student Advisory Council and peers to ensure Black student voices were heard, valued, and represented.
In Grade 11, she took on the role of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Student Representative. In a world that often talks about teenagers, Stephanie made sure students had a seat at the table, bringing real, honest student perspectives to big conversations about diversity and belonging in our schools.
Learning Outside the Classroom
If you wanted to find Stephanie after the final bell, you’d have to look fast. Her passion for learning took her far beyond the traditional classroom:
- In the Lab: Through the Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program, she shadowed a medical technologist at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, getting a front-row seat to her future career.
- On the Court: A varsity basketball exchange program even took her all the way to Victoria, B.C., proving that sports can build bridges across the country.
- For the Community: Stephanie launched a student-led non-profit initiative to support underprivileged students, raising funds for United Way Eastern Ontario.
Leadership with Heart
At Notre Dame, Stephanie wore many hats, serving as Student Body President, a Student Council member, and a fixture in the Notre Dame Leadership Program. Through initiatives like ND Leads, SWAG, and Youth Connections, she constantly pushed herself and encouraged others to step out of their comfort zone.
But her heart for service didn’t stop at the school doors. Whether she was serving on the Carlington Community Advisory Council or volunteering at her local church, Stephanie lived out the OCSB mission every day by putting others first.
She is quick to share the credit, too, pointing to mentors and staff like Jaime DePippo, Anthony Brown, and Katie Aiston, along with her coaches and guidance counsellors, who cheered her on every step of the way.
“Never Be Afraid to Step Out”
Looking back on her journey, Stephanie has a simple message for the students following in her footsteps:
“Notre Dame and the OCSB have given me the most amazing four years. I was exposed to countless opportunities, met incredible people, and learned lessons that will stay with me for years to come. Get involved, use your voice, and never be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone. You never know where one opportunity may lead.”
At OCSB, we strive to give students the confidence to lead and the heart to serve. Stephanie’s journey is proof of what happens when a student says “yes” to growth.
Congratulations, Stephanie! Thank you for your leadership, your passion, and the incredible example you’ve set for the entire OCSB community. We can’t wait to see what you do next.
