Student Spotlight
Leah Holly Butt - Canada-Wide Science Fair Finalist
Posted on Jun 10, 2026
CDLI would like to congratulate Leah Holly Butt, a Grade 11 student at Copper Ridge Academy, for her outstanding achievements in science, academics, and extracurricular involvement. Leah is currently enrolled in Mathematics 2200 and Chemistry 2202 with CDLI and is being recognized for her success at the 2026 Labrador, Western, and Central Newfoundland Virtual Science Fair and as a participant in the Canada-Wide Science Fair held in Edmonton, Alberta.
Leah competed at the Labrador, Western and Central Newfoundland (LWCN) Virtual Science Fair, where she was awarded a gold medal as well as one of two Neety Panu awards for the best rural projects ($100). In addition, Leah was chosen as “Best of Fair” for the virtual fair and also selected as a Canada Wide Science Fair (CWSF) finalist. She attended the national science competition as one of eleven members of Science Team NL, where she presented her project “Building Your Brain, One Page at a Time”, a study of if and how reading habits affect student academic performance.
Her strong academic record is reflected in numerous honours, including Academic Excellence Awards in Grades 7, 9, and 10, the Tonya McKenna Memorial Award for Academic Excellence in Science and Math, and consistent placement on the honour roll throughout high school. In addition, Leah has been recognized as a Scholar Athlete, received the School Sportsmanship Award, and was named Junior High Student of the Year and Junior Female Athlete of the Year in Grade 9.
Leah is highly involved in school life and demonstrates exceptional leadership and commitment. She participates in a wide range of school sports, including soccer, cross-country running, softball, volleyball, basketball, table tennis, badminton, and ball hockey. Outside of school, she is an accomplished hockey player, competing on both her town’s U18 minor team and a U18 female team. This past year, she celebrated multiple successes, including a tournament win, a provincial silver medal, and a provincial gold medal with her female team.
Leah has also been an active member of her school’s student leadership committee since Grade 7, contributing to school events and initiatives. In addition to athletics and leadership, she has showcased her talents on stage as both a lead actor and singer in recent school musical productions.
Beyond school, Leah is actively engaged in her community. She has been playing piano since the age of eight and continues to develop her musical skills. She has worked at the Way 2 Grow Child Care Centre and regularly babysits for local families. Leah also supports younger students by tutoring them in reading, demonstrating her commitment to helping others succeed.
In her free time, Leah enjoys reading, singing, playing piano, and staying active through sports. She values time with her family, especially camping during the summer and travelling, with a particular fondness for trips to Disney World.
Looking ahead, Leah plans to pursue a career in a STEM field, with a strong interest in chemistry and the medical field. While she is still exploring specific career paths, she is passionate about helping others and hopes to make a meaningful impact through her work. She also aspires to travel the world, visit historic sites, and experience diverse cultures.
We wish Leah continued success as she moves forward into this exciting next chapter.