Local student to attend summer program in Canada

Harmony Magnet Academy’s Victoria Rutherford is getting an opportunity of a lifetime this summer.

The 14-year-old sophomore who holds a 4.5 grade point average, was chosen from among thousands of applications world wide, and will be attending a two week program in July at the University of Toronto, Canada. She will be taking human physiology, molecular biology and genetics classes during the summer.

While at the university, she will stay in the dorms and room with a high school student from another country.

“This university has students from around the world attend in the summer at either the medical or legal camps,” said her father Robert Rutherford. “Victoria wants to study pre-med and is hoping to become a sports med doctor.”

In the human physiology course, Victoria will learn how the body works. The molecular biology and genetics class will study the science behind CSI.

“We’re looking forward to meeting her and making her two weeks at New College, University of Toronto a fulfilling and exciting learning experience,” said Tim Clarke, senior coordinator of the youth summer program. “The med/law YSP offers high school students from around the world an exclusive glimpse into the world of medical and legal studies at the University of Toronto. The program’s unparalleled access to the University of Toronto’s faculty allows participants to experience what it is like to be a student at Canada’s premier professional faculties.”

Victoria, who lives in Lemoncove with her parents, Robert and Pam Rutherford, attends school in Strathmore, where she plays for Strathmore High girls’ varsity soccer team. The Rutherfords chose Harmony Magnet, and drive her 55 minutes every day to attend school, because it offered the best program, Robert Rutherford said.

Victoria thrives in math courses, he said, and has always succeeded in everything she has done. She skipped eighth grade and went straight from seventh grade to high school. She is interested in eventually pursuing her education at the University of Santa Clara or Stanford.

“Victoria is an exceptionally dedicated student and athlete,” said school principal Robert Land. “Currently her straight-A grades and enrollment in both chemistry and biology as a sophomore this year support her interest and advancement in the medical field. She is also taking a Chinese course as well as playing on our top-ranked soccer team.”