Convocation prize recipients

Brittney Leitner (BEd’22) with President and Vice Chancellor Dr. Jeff Keshen and Associate Dean Dr. Alayne Armstrong at the convocation ceremony June 2022

SASKATCHEWAN TEACHERS’ FEDERATION PRIZE
At each University of Regina Convocation ceremony, the Saskatchewan Teacher’s Federation (STF) awards a prize to the most distinguished student of the graduating class in the Faculty of Education who does not hold another degree.

Recipient: Brittney Elizabeth Leitner, Bachelor of Education in Arts Education with Great Distinction

Over the course of Brittney’s degree, she was the recipient of 15 scholarships and awards, most notably the Academic Silver Scholarship (2020 Fall), the UR Guarantee Leadership Award (2020 Winter), and the Margaret Messer Undergraduate Scholarship in Arts Education (2021 Fall). Brittney completed her degree with an overall average of 91.14%. Her passion for the arts, teaching, and social justice led her into Arts Education and inspires her to create inclusive and creative learning environments for every student she is fortunate to meet. During her time at the University of Regina, Brittney enjoyed her work as the President and Founder of the student-lead Arts Education Association and her involvement as the undergraduate student representative on the University Strategic Plan Facilitation Team. Brittney will be continuing her studies in the fall, taking her M.A. in Arts Education at the University of British Columbia.

Emily Nishikawa, BEAD’22

BACHELOR OF EDUCATION AFTER DEGREE CONVOCATION PRIZE
The Bachelor Of Education After Degree (BEAD) Convocation Prize was established by the Faculty of Education to encourage and recognize BEAD students. The BEAD Convocation prize is awarded to the most distinguished graduate, with an overall internship rating of “Outstanding” and the highest grade point average in the program.

Recipient: Emily Keira Nishikawa, Bachelor of Education (YNTEP) with Great Distinction

Emily grew up in Whitehorse, where she especially enjoyed cross country skiing with her family – even going on to represent Canada in two Winter Olympic Games. After retiring from competitive skiing and receiving a degree in Psychology, two primary school teachers influenced Emily’s choice to return to the Yukon where she enrolled in the Bachelor of Education After Degree program with Yukon University. Her personal highlight of the YNTEP program was the outdoor education experience during her practicums and taking her students on multi-day camping trips in the beautiful Yukon wilderness.

Emily was also the recipient of the Academic Gold Scholarship in fall 2021 and completed her degree with an overall average of 94.61%.