“Problem solving is what I enjoy most,” BCSS senior Daniel Hoskin said during his grad transition exit interview. And he’s already solved the problem of which direction he wants to go after high school.
He’s made application to UBC to study engineering. Back-up plans are to attend SFU or perhaps even head o_ to Alberta. “That‘s where my family is originally from so that remains a possibility,” explained Daniel.
Over the past few summers he’s worked for his dad on the family hay farm just outside of Rock Creek and he hopes to capitalize on that experience to get summer employment this year on a neighbor’s ranch.
Daniel’s 4.0 grade point average has earned him a place on the Principal’s Honour Roll. Last year he completed Physics 12 and Chemistry 12. “I have always liked the sciences,” he declared. “Physics is what I really like – especially the balancing of forces and things like that.”
Daniel is an asset to the school through his volunteer efforts as well. He’s been a member of student council for the last three years and holds a position as vice-president this year.
Through their Leadership 12 course Daniel and classmate Dillon Smith have successfully organized intramural sports activities at the school. House teams have been formed and the program is well received by both students and staff.
Daniel has seen more of the world than most of his classmates. Born in Red Deer, Alberta, his family moved here in the spring of his Grade 4 year, but before that, Daniel went through Grade 3 in England.
“My father was born in England and we went back and lived there for a year,” he recalled. “It was really neat – I had to wear a uniform and we played a lot of soccer.”
He’s continued to play soccer and was the captain of the BCSS team. “I really enjoy the team aspect of it. You can put in a good individual effort, you can motivate others just by working hard out there. As a team you come together – it’s not dependent on teamwork, but if you work hard individually you can come together as a team.”
There can be little doubt that some of the challenges Daniel has faced have helped him mature into the young man he is today. While the family was in England – when Daniel was still a child – his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, and at about the same time his grandmother also passed. When he was in Grade 7 his mother passed away after her cancer returned.
“That has made things quite a bit different for me from my peers,” explained Daniel. “I’ve always been mature for my age but really after that I found I was changed quite a bit. Not damaged or anything – but I think I matured a little faster than everyone else. I don’t worry about the little things so much.”
He hopes to settle in B.C. after university, calling Alberta a “busy, busy – money, money place.”