Branksome Hall is proud to celebrate recent graduate Margaret ASCAN’26, who has been awarded the prestigious McEuen Scholarship to attend the University of St Andrews this fall. Branksome joins the few schools that have had multiple recipients of this scholarship, with Katharine O’FLAHERTY’23 also having received the award in her graduation year.

Established in 1974, the McEuen Scholarship is awarded annually to exceptional Canadian students pursuing undergraduate studies at the University of St Andrews. The highly competitive award covers full tuition and residence fees for the duration of a student's degree, as well as an annual book allowance. It recognizes recipients for both their academic excellence and extracurricular achievements.

Margaret will enter St Andrews’ Integrated Masters in Physics (Honours) program, a field that reflects her deep curiosity about the world and passion for scientific discovery.

"I've always liked learning about how things work and why," says Margaret. "Physics is one of the subjects I find I can become totally engrossed in and not notice the hours go by when I'm learning about it. It breaks down everything to its most fundamental concepts and mechanisms, which is a very satisfying way of looking at the world."

A member of the Branksome Hall community for eight years, Margaret attended the school from Grades 1 to 6 before returning for Grades 11 and 12. During the IB Diploma Programme, she pursued an ambitious academic path, taking Higher Level Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Literature, along with Standard Level History and French.

Her love of learning inspired her to challenge herself throughout her studies. "All of my Higher Level courses were my favourites," she says. "I switched from SL to HL Chemistry because I was enjoying it so much and didn't want to feel like I was missing out on a richer academic experience."

Margaret chose St Andrews for its historic campus, international community and academic flexibility. Founded more than 600 years ago, the university offers students the opportunity to explore multiple interests and create their own interdisciplinary pathways.

"I really valued being able to take multiple subjects at a deep level through the IB," she explains. "Compared to other UK universities, St Andrews gives Physics undergraduate students a lot more autonomy and flexibility, which is important to me."

Outside the classroom, Margaret immersed herself in a range of experiences that enriched her time at Branksome. She participated in the school's Costa Rica global engagement trip, performed with the Chamber Choir, competed on Branksome's History Team at regional and national competitions, and has studied piano for 12 years.

Margaret also founded the Noodle company Second Chapter Books with two of her friends. A textbook resale business, the company helps students buy and sell used textbooks directly through their peers instead of third-party resellers. Although Margaret and her business partners have graduated, Branksome students still benefit from their impact. “We've passed on the company to three younger students so we are overjoyed that it will continue even after our graduation,” says Margaret.

Looking ahead, Margaret hopes to pursue a research career and is particularly interested in the growing field of biophysics and its applications in medical research.

"I believe a research career fits my traits and interests well, such as my curiosity and my love for problem-solving," she says.

Throughout her journey, Margaret credits her older sister, Mariam ASCAN’13, as her greatest supporter and role model.

"She believed in me more than anyone, including myself," says Margaret. "She's been supportive, encouraging, uplifting and always there for me throughout my life."

As Margaret prepares to begin this exciting next chapter at the University of St Andrews, the Branksome Hall community congratulates her on this remarkable achievement and wishes her every success in the years ahead.