The winner of this year's CIBC Canada's Luckiest Student contest is Leah Meanwell, a University of British Columbia student, who won a grand prize valued at over $55,000. Secondary and post-secondary students across Canada entered the contest for a chance to win the ultimate student prize pack. The prize includes a $20,000 GIC from CIBC plus free tuition and groceries for an entire year.
"It's an overwhelming feeling, having the chance to finish my degree debt-free thanks to the prize money," says Ms. Meanwell, a second-year kinesiology student. "Winning Canada's Luckiest Student contest means I can focus on my schoolwork, instead of how to afford my degree, and that's something I'm very grateful for."
According to a report released last August, roughly half of the students pursuing a Bachelor's degree will graduate from their program with debt and many won't start their career in good financial health.
The contest was run by Student Life Network, a Toronto-based youth marketing company that connects North America's top brands with millions of students across Canada. This marks the second year of the contest.
Image caption: "Alexander Fan, District Vice President, CIBC awards Canada's Luckiest Student Leah Meanwell with a $20,000 GIC from CIBC. SOURCE: Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce.