Brown'nesha Willis-Glasgow, a Grade 12 student at Auburn Drive High School in Nova Scotia, who has made a huge impact at her school, in her community, and on the rugby pitch, is the recipient of this year’s David Bernatchez Memorial Bursary at StFX.
Ms. Willis-Glasgow, of North Preston, NS, says she is thrilled to receive the $20,000 bursary ($5,000 per year, renewable over four years) that honours Mr. Bernatchez, a 1985 StFX graduate and 2014 Hall of Honour inductee remembered for a lifelong legacy of helping others. Mr. Bernatchez was a leader from an early age at St. Mary’s High School in Calgary, at StFX, in rugby, and in supporting scholarships for students from Calgary to attend StFX, and in creating the Katherine Fleming Scholarship at the Coady International Institute to honour another friend and leader who also passed too soon.
“I felt grateful and happy that I would represent David,” Ms. Willis-Glasgow says on her reaction to the news. “I really like rugby, and he really liked it. I felt connected to him.
“I also felt it would help me financially. My mom is a single mom,” she says.
Ms. Willis-Glasgow, who will enroll in the Applied Forensic Psychology program at StFX in September and has committed to play for X-Women Rugby, is excited to begin university at StFX. She is excited for the academics (her long-term goal is to become a mental health counsellor), athletics, and community ahead.
“I’m looking forward to building a community and meeting a lot of new people. I’m also looking forward to being a little more independent.”
An avid athlete already involved in volleyball and cross-country running, she started playing rugby in Grade 10 when her cousin encouraged her to try out for the Auburn Drive High School team. She liked the sport from the start. Her coach in Grade 11 helped propel her further into rugby. "My coach encouraged me to try out for the provincial team.”
She’s been a member of the Nova Scotia Keltics, the provincial rugby team, for the past two years, and she’s gained herself a spot on the Canada Games 7s long list. Along with being a member of her high school rugby team, she’s also been team captain for her local rugby club, the Pig Dogs Rugby Club, where she has played lock, flank and 8-man positions.
“I like the community of people and how inclusive it is,” she says on the sport. “It’s a nice, big community. I felt welcome.”
As a student leader, she’s achieved high honours for the past three years of high school and is actively involved in her school community. She co-created and is an executive member of the Black Students’ Union, which provides a comfortable space for Black students to learn about scholarships and resources. She also serves as the athletic liaison on Auburn Drive’s student council, a leadership position that has seen her actively sharing updates on social media, planning and emceeing pep rallies, and school banquets. She’s been a youth mentor too at Auburn Drive, mentoring young students to better their literacy and math skills in an after-school program.
In her community, she petitioned for new sidewalks, “and we got them,” and she has volunteered at literacy workshops for local children. She is a member of the youth fellowship church group, the Baptist Youth Fellowship, at Saint Thomas Baptist Church, where she has also been a Sunday school teacher. Additionally, she’s been a North Preston day volunteer with North Preston's Future; a camp volunteer, Boys & Girls Club March Break; and a Girl Guide. She received her Canada Cord, awarded for completing the Pathfinders program as well as extra initiatives such as community service, volunteering, and time spent developing leadership skills.
PUTTING OTHERS FIRST
“Brown’nesha’s application really stood out in a number of areas,” says Mark Gallant ’84, chair of the selection committee and a close friend of Mr. Bernatchez’s since childhood.
“She volunteered for a number of organizations. That would have been something Dave would have done as well. Serving others was near and dear to Dave’s heart. He was always putting other people first.”
Along with her service to others, her leadership in several sports, and her financial need all stood out.
Mr. Gallant says it was particularly gratifying for the selection committee to read through all the applications for the bursary.
“All of us are so close to Dave. Seeing his legacy carry on in these new students is very rewarding for all of us.”
The bursary in Mr. Bernatchez’s honour is made possible by StFX alumni and friends of his who have raised over $600,000 and are still actively fundraising. Annually, a golf tournament is organized each June in Calgary, which fundraises for the StFX Bernatchez award and the local Canuck Rugby Club Junior Development Program. The first three tournaments raised close to $100,000. The fourth annual event was just held on June 12th.
Bursary recipients must have demonstrated community service or leadership, show ability to contribute to StFX student life, demonstrate financial need, and either play or volunteer for the male or female rugby teams. The bursary is open to both male and female students. Matthew MacLeod and Katie Murphy were recipients of the inaugural award, offered to both a male and female rugby player in 2022-23. Jessie Penney received the bursary in 2023-2024, and Alison LeBlanc in 2024-25.
