The United States Harness Writers Association's Upstate New York Chapter has announced that the recipients of the 2010 edition of the Dewey Degree College Scholarship are Anjelka Bosnjak and Chelsea Fahy
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This year, UNY-USHWA had a large response of applicants and the field of eligible students was stellar. After the committee spent days reading over the transcripts, references, and essays, the group was narrowed to two. It was then realized that both girls were scholastically outstanding and worthy of the award, so it was decided that each would be recognized. Each will receive a cheque for $1,500.
Anjelka Bosnjak is from Grand Valley, Ont. Her parents, Nikki Branigan and Zeljko Bosnjak, have been breeding and racing standardbreds for as long as she can remember. She started working in their barn at age four and had her groom’s license by age 10. Her love for horses eventually made her realize she wanted to make it her career.
She enrolled at the University of Guelph where she graduated with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Biological Sciences in 2007. She is currently studying at the Ontario Veterinary College, pursuing her doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. She is in her second year of study and will be graduating as a licensed Veterinarian with the class of 2013.
Although she carried a 3.5 GPA upon graduation, Anjelka was not accepted to the Veterinary program on her first try. She took 11 non-degree science courses in 2008 and then re-applied in 2009, where she was accepted. Since then she has excelled in the course scoring 'A’s in biochemistry, veterinary medicine, clinical medicine, health management and medical genetics.
One of her professor’s described Anjelka as “dedicated to work and work ethic, is a quick learner, has an eye for detail, has excellent leadership skills, applies knowledge well and is quick to question results and procedures. She has simply done outstanding with all her course work.”
Anjelka is currently working at McMaster-Powell Equine Services. Other veterinarians and clinics that helped mentor her are Dr. Terry Ruch from the Barrie Equine Clinic, Dr. Jodi Kendrew, Dr. Richard Bryson and Linwood Veterinary Services.
Her perseverance towards her ultimate goal of becoming a veterinarian and the excellence of her work once that opportunity presented itself are reasons why it was felt that Anjelka Bosnjak was deserving of the award.
Chelsea Fahy is from Washington, PA and is the daughter of Moira and Bill Fahy. Moira had her own stable before marrying Bill, who is most notable for campaigning the likes of Western Hanover and Jennas Beach Boy. She grew up surrounded by horses, so it was inevitable that her career would fall somewhere in the racing field. Since health and science were always a passion for her, she decided to become a veterinarian.
She is currently attending the University of Findlay in Ohio and has completed her first year of study with a major in pre-vet and a minor in math. Her transcripts show a 3.93 GPA and an 'A' next to each of the 14 courses she took in the first two semesters. And, oh yes, she made the Dean's list twice. She also aced Calculus II and outperformed everyone in U of Findlay’s Pharmacy program in that course.
On top of her heavy course load, Chelsea also works two part-time jobs, interns at the Canon Hill Veterinary Clinic at the Meadows, and helps her parents with their racing stable.
After getting her degree, Chelsea plans on strengthening the sport of harness racing by first strengthening the immune systems of its horses. She wants to educate people to use alternative methods of health care on harness horses in order to reduce the unexpected side effects of currently used methods. She wrote “I believe my education in veterinary medicine and my innate skills, along with my passion and commitment to the harness racing industry will allow me to be a leader in the future of harness racing.”
One of her professors, Dr. Nicholas Loutsion, had very high praise for Chelsea. “She has a great work ethic, pays attention to detail, inspires trust in others, has excellent communication skills, has shown herself to be a loyal friend, consistently shows concern over other people’s welfare, and is an asset to our University," said Fahy. “You would be hard pressed to find a young person who is motivated, is a self starter, who has a thirst for knowledge, as well as being an intelligent, caring, and well grounded individual. All these attributes must be used when describing this fantastic young lady!”
Congratulations to these two industry leaders of tomorrow. The formal cheque presentations will be at Tioga Downs next month.
The Dewey Degree Scholarship was initiated by generous donations from Ray Schnittker and Jeff Gural and is administered by the Upstate New York Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association. It was named after Schnittker’s great Hambletonian winning trotter Deweycheatumnhowe who is currently standing at Westwind Farm in Strathroy, Ont.
(USHWA)