Page Siegel receives Big Country Ag Society Scholarship

By Diana Walker

Last fall Paige Siegel registered in Medicine Hat College’s Speech Language Therapy two-year program. Upon completion, she will transfer and complete her degree in Community Rehabilitation at the University of Calgary.

“After completing my degree, I will apply for my masters to become a certified Speech Language Pathologist, completing 6 to 7 years of school,” says Paige.”

This course will allow Paige to provide treatment and help children and adults gain confidence and skills in their speaking and communication.

“I plan to pursue my career in a rural setting,” says Paige. “Speech pathologists are needed in communities everywhere, and often, people from rural areas need to travel to larger centres for treatment.”

Paige, the daughter of Jarvis and Michelle Siegel, grew up on their farm near Oyen.

“I will always appreciate the sense of community and involvement rural life has given me,” says Paige.

Paige was involved in various extracurricular activities volunteering with the students’ union, scorekeeping, organizing events, tutoring students, participating in the drama plays and book club. She volunteered as a Princess at the community Princess Ball helping make the day magical for young girls, at a kids' summer camp spending a week entertaining and organizing groups of kids, helping FCSS during their community Santa Hut and delivering Meals on Wheels to seniors

“I have a true love of figure skating, my primary extracurricular activity since I was 3, volunteering as a program assistant since I was 12,” adds Paige.

In her last year at school, she obtained her Canskate Coach certification, allowing her to play a larger role in the development of skaters, ensuring that kids enjoyed their time on the ice.

A diligent student who worked hard to achieve her best in every subject, Paige’s grade 12 average was 95%. She graduated from South Central High School in Oyen in June of 2023.

In a recent email, Paige shared:

After the fall semester, I had a GPA of 4.0 which placed me on the President's Honour Roll for the college.

“My winter semester has started and it is going super well! I am enjoying all of my classes and my program. Throughout the first semester and the beginning of the winter semester, I have had many awesome learning opportunities, such as job shadowing at long-term care facilities, physical therapy clinics, and daycares. Living in student residence and meeting new people has also been a great experience! “

Cheryl Ball, representing the BCAS Scholarship Committee that includes Sharon Dahl and Diana Walker, congratulates Paige Siegel on being one of the two recipients.