Teacher Josh Radchenko and Ruhan Yi point out New York State. Yi will be moving there next fall to attend Colgate University.(Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Julia Lovett-Squires

Yi full-ride

‘It’s a castle’: NBCHS student heading to Colgate University on full-ride

Dec 20, 2024 | 7:00 AM

For Ruhan Yi, Friday the 13th was anything but a day of bad luck.

Roughly three weeks ago, the Grade 12 student from North Battleford Comprehensive High School had sent off an application to a prestigious “Little Ivy League” university.

On that notorious historical date, he received a response: he was going to be a Colgate Raider on a full-ride scholarship – worth over $550,000.

“I wasn’t thinking that I was going to go in, I was just thinking, ‘OK, let’s just give it a shot and why not,’” said the International Baccalaureate student.

Yi, like others in his cohort had been applying to a number of schools including the University of British Columbia and University of Toronto when this opportunity came up. He explained the process was much different than applying to Canadian schools as there was much more detail to be included, but he never expected to get in and instead turned his efforts elsewhere because for Yi, Colgate was the dream.

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Getting accepted

“I have to talk about my family…they really wanted to know everything about me so, I had to really put time and effort into that process,” he said of the application process, adding it included a 1,200 essay.

“I wrote about my experience in (the Saskatchewan Student Federation) and about the protest that we had before and talking about how I emphasize quality education and youth mental health in Saskatchewan,” he said.

“I think that piece really brought me up and also that event of marching and student protesting in front of (MLA and then-Education Minister) Jeremy Cockrill’s office and all those good things that have been resolved throughout the binding arbitration.”

Colgate is a private liberal arts universrity was first established in 1819 in Hamilton, New York.

According to teacher Josh Radchenko, the school community couldn’t be happier or more excited for the student, who has always achieved academic success while also being active in the school community.

International Baccalaureate

He explained in order for Yi – who is among 10 students in the school – working to obtain their IB diploma, he must take three high level classes, three standard level classes, a theory of knowledge, creative, activity and service (CAS) requirements, in addition to writing a 4,000-word extended essay.

“I’ve taught him now for two years,” Radchenko said.

“His attention to detail, his inner academic drive to obtain more knowledge, get better at writing, get better at listening has not gone unnoticed.”

Since part of the IB program includes studying at the university level, by the time he enters Colgate next fall, he will technically be considered almost a junior.

Asked if he has seen what the school looked like, Yi smiled and said he had.

“It’s just a beautiful campus,” he said.

“It’s a castle for goodness sakes,” added Radchenko.

While he said his favourite subject is history – as his history teacher laughed quietly beside him – he plans to go into business school and take part in an entrepreneurship program.

Once he learned his life was heading on an unexpected scholarly journey, Yi had the weekend to reflect on the new path before him.

“I was really happy and our family was really excited,” he said.

That following Monday, Yi arrived early and walked around the school to tell his teachers, all of whom he credits with playing a role in his success, that he had been accepted.

Thank them

“Without them, I wouldn’t have been able to reach this far, ‘cause it was their support and their dedication for me to grow up as an intellectual individual,” said the teen.

He did it with panache.

“I really thank them with the Colgate University and also with the toothpaste of Colgate to start advertising as an ambassador,” he laughed.

Radchenko chimed in.

“I was teasing him when he was applying, ‘I said you’re going where they make toothpaste,’” the teacher added jokingly.

Yi ran with it.

“So, I was like, ‘Oh, maybe it might be a good idea to give them little treats – sweets – and then also as well as the toothpaste.’”

As for the young mind, before he can move across the continent next summer, his focus remains on completing his Grade 12 year and graduating. Regardless of what happens though, his school is proud.

“The staff was elated,” said Radchenko, noting he had to wipe away tears of joy for the young man.

“It was a collective effort here on staff,” he added of the team effort to help with the application.

Yi said he sees this as just the beginning and called the chance to expand his world and his future entrance into graduate studies a “precious opportunity” to grow and shape the man he is destined to be.

“From Colgate the bigger world, it is an amazing opportunity for me to become a global leader I should say and have more impacts around the world.”

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julia.lovettsquires@pattisonmedia.com

On BlueSky: juleslovett.bsky.social