The Class of 2026 includes students heading to some of the most competitive law and business programs in the world, from Vancouver to New York, London and Japan. Their paths to those programs vary widely, shaped by internships, entrepreneurship, leadership and a range of experiences that go well beyond the classroom.
Maggie Stiel
School: Queen's University, Smith School of Business
Program: Commerce
Maggie Stiel came to SMUS from Whistler and Pemberton as a boarding student in Grade 11 and made the most of every opportunity the school offered. She was involved in the Athletics Council, Service Council, and Marketing and Communications Council, served as a student ambassador, played on the Senior Girls Volleyball team, and co-headed Winslow House.
It was AP Macroeconomics that she credited most directly with preparing her for university.
"This class didn't just teach me a new subject but a new way of learning and studying, something I will take with me to university," said Maggie.
She singled out her senior houseparent, Riley Doland, for helping her push past self-doubt. "Mrs. Doland always reminded me that I am capable of anything I put my mind to and encouraged me to push past my limits, even when I doubted myself," she said.
Maggie heads to Queen's this fall carrying the friendships and lessons that shaped her two years at SMUS.
Parker Sheehan
School: University of British Columbia, Sauder School of Business
Program: Bachelor of Commerce
Parker Sheehan is a Lifer and, in his final year, Head Prefect. Thirteen years at SMUS have shaped not just his academic path but the way he leads.
A multi-sport athlete throughout high school, competing in basketball, soccer, and track and field, Parker found some of his most meaningful lessons not in victory but in setback. During a soccer match in his final year, he tore his hamstring and lost six weeks of his last season.
"That moment taught me that just because I wasn't able to show up for my team by playing, didn't mean I couldn't step up and lead in other ways," said Parker.
That capacity to adapt showed up in his work with the Prefect Council as well, where plans that regularly required last-minute changes and flexibility became as important as preparation. He heads to UBC in the fall, drawn to Commerce by a combination of mathematics and social studies interests that have run through his time at SMUS.
Nora Reid
School: King's College London
Program: Direct Entry Law
Nora Reid spent two years at SMUS as a boarder in Symons House, playing on the Senior Girls Soccer team and finding community in the bonds formed within the house. Winning the House Cup with Symons House this year, the first time since 2008, was one of her proudest memories.
Her path to law took shape the summer before Grade 12, when she participated in a week-long internship at Georgetown University focused on law and criminal justice. Working alongside a defence attorney on active cases confirmed her direction. Direct entry law programs, unavailable in Canada or the US, made the UK the natural destination, and she chose King's College London for its location, its strong connections to London law firms, and the proximity to her sister, who studies at the London School of Economics.
"Not only helping people but arguing for a good cause is always fun," said Nora.
After graduating from KCL, she hopes to intern at a London law firm before eventually returning to the West Coast of North America.
Dominic Ely
School: Queen's University, Smith School of Business Program: Commerce
Dominic Ely joined SMUS in Grade 8 and leaves this June as a Chancellor's Scholar, heading to Queen's University to study Commerce. During his time at SMUS he co-founded AMC Academy, an online education platform that prepares students across North America for competitive mathematics examinations, led the Business Leadership Program (the largest student group at SMUS) and competed with the Senior Boys Soccer team.
"The biggest lesson is probably that you don't need perfect conditions to start something," he said. "Some of the best things that happened came from just deciding to begin and staying committed."
Read Dominic's featured profile:
Chancellor's Scholarship Recipient Heads to Queen's with a Business Already Built
Yingfan Bai
School: New York University, Stern School of Business
Program: Business, concentration in Finance
Yingfan Bai has been at SMUS since Grade 5 and leaves having explored nearly every corner of what the school offers. She served as Head of Outdoor Council, co-founded the Business Competition Club, earned her Duke of Edinburgh Award, and was a violinist in the Strings Orchestra since Grade 9, part of a national championship-winning team. On the track, she was the 2025 city champion in Senior Girls Pole Vault and placed second in the city in 2026.
"Through balancing four AP courses, athletics, music, leadership, and extracurricular commitments, SMUS has taught me perseverance, resilience, and time-management skills that I know will continue to support me in the future," said Yingfan.
This summer she will coach the Zone 6 artistic swimming team at the 2026 BC Summer Games before heading to New York University to study Finance at the Stern School of Business.
Harry Lynch
School: Temple University Japan
Program: International Business Studies
Harry Lynch came to SMUS in Grade 10 and is heading to Tokyo this fall to study International Business at Temple University Japan.
At SMUS, Harry was a Link Leader, played on the soccer and track and field teams, contributed to Service Council, and joined the European Football Club. He co-founded the Inquiry Club with classmate Julian Trinder ‘26, bringing students together to discuss philosophical ideas and broaden their perspectives. AP Art gave him space to explore an interest in fashion and design alongside his business focus.
It was Business 10 with Sarah Beeston that stood out academically, offering an early foundation in entrepreneurship that pointed him toward international business.
"I'm grateful that everything happened the way it did and that I met the people I met," said Harry.
He singled out three more people for particular thanks: Kyle Shaw, whose approachability and genuine interest in students extended well beyond the science classroom; Graham Lilly, whose encouragement and sense of humour created an environment where Harry felt supported throughout; and Kevin Mennie, who offered guidance and support from the very beginning of his time at SMUS.
Anysia Tam
School: University of British Columbia, Sauder School of Business
Program: Combined Major in Business and Computer Science, minor in Data Science
Anysia Tam spent four years at SMUS as a boarder in Symons House, serving as Head of House in her final year and helping lead the house to wins in both the House Cup and Building Cup. She also served as Head of Cantonese Club and Head of Mahjong Club.
Music was equally central to her time at SMUS. Anysia served as concertmaster in strings ensembles, performed in quartets at school events, and was part of the pit orchestra from Grade 10 to Grade 12.
"Performing in strings, quartets, and pit orchestra taught me discipline, collaboration, and commitment," said Anysia. "Those experiences showed me how much can be achieved when everyone contributes to something larger than themselves."
Outside music and student leadership, Anysia competed in rope skipping at the provincial and national level in Grade 10 and 11, earning titles in both.
It was Advanced Topics in Mathematics and Data Science that pointed her most directly toward her program at UBC, showing her how technical skills translate into real-world applications beyond the classroom.
"These courses helped solidify my interest in pursuing business and computer science," she said. "I especially enjoyed seeing how technical skills can be applied beyond tests and exams and used in real-world situations."
She heads to UBC this fall grateful for four years that pushed her to step outside her comfort zone and build something larger than herself.
