The Candy Palmater Show·Candy Palmater Show

Christian Michel Francis on the price of an education

He's graduating with a 97.2 per cent average, but that's not what makes Christian Michel Francis exceptional. The 17-year-old has had to shoulder more responsibility than most adults.
Christian is overjoyed to receive UBC's Centennial Leader scholarship because all his life, he's been working towards being able to afford going to school. (Photo courtesy of Christian Michel Francis)

17-year old Christian Michel Francis has always been an exceptional student. He's graduating high school with a 97.2 per cent average, and has just won a highly coveted scholarship from the University of British Columbia.

But what makes Christian truly exceptional is that since Grade 9, he's had to financially support his home because of tragic circumstances in his family. While most of his classmates were spending time at the mall after school, Christian balanced two part-time jobs and volunteering commitments.

He talks about what UBC's Centennial Leader scholarship means for his family.