ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — Elizabeth Tuck, a 21-year-old from Mount Pearl, is one of two Newfoundlanders to have recently been awarded the Rhodes Scholarship.
(The other is Patrick Hickey, a 22-year-old from St. John's who graduated from Western University in London, Ont. with a bachelor's degree in business. Read last week's 20 Questions with Patrick Hickey.)
The scholarship comes with a fully paid two years at the University of Oxford in England and a monthly stipend to help with living expenses.
“It’s pretty wild, I have to say,” Tuck said.
While reading the biographies of the other people who won the award this year, Tuck was impressed.
“Wow… You and I won the same scholarship?” she said. “This is pretty intense.”
Tuck is excited to meet the other scholars and to further her education.
“There’s not much I’m not looking forward to, to be honest,” she said.
“There’s not much I’m not looking forward to, to be honest." — Elizabeth Tuck
Tuck is on the dean’s list of St. Thomas University in Fredericton, and majors in Political Science and Great Books — a degree she says isn’t exactly popular.
She says Great Books is an interdisciplinary study of philosophy, English, political science and human rights.
“What we do is we ask big questions,” Tuck says.
“So, each course has a theme. For example, what is freedom? What is a good life for a human being? What is the relationship between human nature and technology? These really huge, amorphous questions. And then we read books to look at how thinkers throughout time may have responded to that question.”
Authors range from Aristotle to Virginia Wolff and Frederick Douglas, depending on the question.
Tuck will finish her Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Human Rights in May. The following fall, she’ll begin attending Oxford.
Her studies have led her to focus on the intersection of gender and the law, she says, a pursuit she hopes to continue at Oxford.
1. What is your full name?
Elizabeth Mary Louise Tuck
2. Where and when were you born?
Happy Valley-Goose Bay but I didn’t grow up there at all. I was born and within the year (1998) was living in Mount Pearl.
3. Where do you live today?
My permanent address is still in Mount Pearl and that’s where I consider my home. But for most of the year I live in Fredericton, N.B.
4. What is your favourite place in the world?
My gut reaction is to say my living room in winter when we have the log stove lit. That kind of feeling is irreplaceable. (Also) sitting in the Rocket Bakery downtown and looking out at everything. It could be anywhere that makes me feel like I’m part of a bigger community.
5. Who do you follow on social media?
One account that I would definitely recommend to everyone is Instagram BodyPosiPanda. I also follow Lizzo — I love Lizzo. I tend to follow a lot of social justice activists around the world.
6. What would people be surprised to learn about you?
I tried to play trumpet for two years when I was in grade nine and 10 but I was really bad at it so I stopped. I don't talk about it because I was really bad.
7. What’s been your favourite year and why?
2015 was a really good year for me. That’s when I was accepted to go to Sangam World Center (in India) with Girl Guides of Canada. It was the pivotal turning point in my life. That motivated me to apply to do my TED Talk. A lot of good things came from that experience.
8. Can you describe one experience that changed your life?
I don’t mean to repeat the last answer but that would be Sangam, that changed my life, for sure.
9. What is your greatest indulgence?
White chocolate and Nicki Minaj.
10. What is your favourite movie or book?
"Legally Blonde." It’s light-hearted, an easy watch, but it also has strong feminist themes, a lot of girl power in it.
11. How do you like to relax?
I definitely like to nap, get together with friends, and board game nights. I’m really into board games.
12. What are you reading or watching right now?
I’m watching season three of "The Good Place" and "Workin' Moms." I’m reading the narrative of Frederick Douglas.
13. What is your greatest fear?
Getting to the end of my life and feeling like I haven’t made any significant contribution to the betterment of the world.
14. How would you describe your personal fashion statement?
My style is the absence of a style, which therefore becomes my style. My motto is: confidence can wear anything, so if I think it’s cool I just go for it.
15. What is your most treasured possession? (not your children, partner or pets — they aren’t possessions)
I have a necklace that’s the letter E that I inherited from my aunt Elsie when she passed away. It’s like a connection or reminder of the women who have come before me in my family. Also, I still have the first teddy bear and blanket that I had as a kid.
16. What physical or personality trait are you most grateful to a parent for?
I like to think that I’ve inherited my mother’s compassion. She’s a very compassionate, very welcoming, very selfless person. I definitely don’t think I’ve reached that level of selflessness but I’m working on it. And from my dad, definitely his humour.
17. What three people would join you for your dream dinner party?
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ruth Bader Ginsberg and either Shannie Duff or Maggie Burton — someone who is a prominent person in municipal politics.
18. What is your best quality?
I’m very good at public speaking. I think my ability to remain calm in high stress situations works in my favour. Also, I think empathy is one of my strongest skills.
19. What is your worst quality?
I can jump to conclusions very easily, even if I don’t act on them. I have to stop myself and think, do you really have enough information to make this call?
20. What’s your biggest regret?
Not being as supportive of a particular friend that I had back in junior high when she said she was struggling with mental health issues. Just straight up, I should have been more supportive of her.
Twitter: @andrewLwaterman
