Ella Gibson was adamant she did not want to go to Mount Allison — as she did not want to be seen as following her older brother.
 
From New Germany, NS, Gibson’s plans changed after her dad told her about a unique program he’d read about at Mount Allison’s Frank McKenna School of Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE).
 
“I absolutely fell in love with the program,” says Gibson. “I read some articles about it and thought it sounded amazing. Now, I couldn’t be happier that I chose Mount Allison.”
 
Gibson’s past volunteer, community, and youth leadership work, including serving as President of her high school student council, encouraged her to study politics and explore ways she could help people and make a difference in the world. She believes the McKenna School will help her achieve her goals and, in the meantime, the first-year student is loving her PPE classes and life in Edwards House.
 
Gibson is also an active member of a national Skeleton program — a sport she is very passionate about. She is grateful to Mount Allison for its support as she trains and competes while pursuing her degree.

“I have had an abundance of support from my professors and everyone here at Mount Allison,” says Gibson. “Obviously, it’s my responsibility to keep up with my schoolwork, but the professors here are amazing — they are all super supportive and accommodating of me travelling for Skeleton. My Mount Allison experience has been phenomenal.”
 
Gibson is the recipient of a McKenna School Scholarship. The scholarship awards $10,000 to entering students intending to major in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) and is renewable for three additional years ($5,000/year). Donors created this prestigious scholarship and other awards for PPE students.  
 
“The day I got the email about the scholarship, I was at home with my parents and my two best friends and I was so excited,” says Gibson. “I had read online about other PPE students who had received the scholarship in the past. I thought they were such interesting people and that was part of the reason I wanted to come to Mount Allison. To then to know I was being recognized as a similar calibre of person was just amazing.”
 
Gibson says the scholarship has made pursuing her education much less stressful and has made it financially possible for her to continue pursuing excellence in both academics and athletics.
 
March 1 is the deadline to apply for the McKenna School Scholarship and other Mount Allison entrance scholarships. For more information, visit mta.ca/scholarships