Olds student Noah Korver is one of two Alberta youths — and 14 young Canadians — chosen to do overseas research as part of this year’s Beaverbrook Vimy Prize.
The 16-year-old will head to Europe in August for a two-week educational program focusing on First and Second World War history of Canada, Great Britain and France.
Korver will attend lectures, visit former battlefields, trenches, underground tunnels, monuments and museums – and even meet a few of the remaining Second World War veterans during his stay in Belgium and France.
He is partnered with a Manitoba student and assigned a joint project on racism during the conflicts. Other study projects include research on a soldier from the First World War who is buried in France.
Korver is already working with the Olds Legion to determine if there are any local connections.
He said the immersive trip will be a continuation of his life-long interest in the two world wars.
“I’ve always been interested in my uncle’s stories from the Second World War, when he was a little kid in Holland,” said Korver.
The student, who will start Grade 11 at Olds High School this fall, is intrigued by the “amazing stories of kindness and humanity,” and that so many soldiers were just a few years older than he is now.
He was selected for the program through a multi-step application to the Vimy Foundation, which included an essay, a videotaped personal statement and an online interview.
“I’m so excited to be part of the study program, and all of it makes me appreciate being Canadian that much more.”