Help Chidinma Attend SHAD Canada 2026

My name is Chidinma, and I am deeply honoured to have been selected to participate in Shad Canada, one of Canada’s most prestigious STEAM and entrepreneurship programs for high-achieving high school students.

This opportunity represents far more than a summer program to me; it is a doorway to purpose, leadership, innovation, and the future I have been working toward for many years.

For the past four years, I have consistently achieved Honour Roll standing, and last year I was inducted into the Honour Society in recognition of my academic excellence and dedication. I am currently an International Baccalaureate(IB), Grade 11 student with a dream of studying Mechatronics Engineering at the University of Waterloo here in Canada.

This summer, I have the incredible privilege of living and studying at the University of Alberta alongside other talented students from across Canada. Through SHAD, I will collaborate on solving real-world challenges, strengthen my leadership and problem-solving skills, and gain exposure to innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship at a global level.

But for me, this journey is not only about personal achievement.

As a young Black immigrant student, I understand firsthand how powerful representation, encouragement, and opportunity can be. Many children from immigrant families grow up with enormous potential but limited access to mentorship, exposure, and financial resources. Too often, talented young people quietly set aside their dreams because they do not see enough people who look like them succeeding.

I want to help change that narrative.

I aspire to become an ambassador for excellence among immigrant youth, especially young Black girls, by showing them that they can dream boldly, rise confidently, and succeed regardless of where they come from or the obstacles they face.

My vision is not simply to attend SHAD, but to return and pour what I learn back into my community by:

* Speaking to and mentoring younger students

* Encouraging Black and immigrant youth to pursue excellence in STEAM, leadership, and

innovation

* Motivating, especially the girl child, to believe in her intelligence, voice, and potential

* Sharing lessons, experiences, and strategies that can inspire others to pursue opportunities

they once thought were out of reach.

Attending SHAD is a transformational opportunity, but the financial cost is significant. The total program fee is approximately $7,495, with travel expenses estimated at an additional $1,500.

My parents initially considered not sending me because of the financial burden. However, I believe there comes a defining moment in a young person’s life when they must courageously fight for their future and refuse to let limitations determine the size of their dreams.

That is why I am humbly reaching out for support.

Your contribution is not simply helping one student attend a program. You are investing in leadership, representation, mentorship, and hope for many underrepresented immigrant children who need someone to inspire them and prove that success is possible.

Every donation, no matter the amount, brings me one step closer to this life-changing opportunity and to becoming the role model and advocate I hope to be for others.

Thank you for believing in my dreams, my future, and the many young lives I hope to inspire along the way.

With sincere gratitude,

Chidinma