Goodspeed Award recipient builds success through resilience and community at USask

She simply wanted to do her best.

“I wanted to make myself and my parents proud,” said White.

That mindset carried White from her hometown of Davidson, Sask., to the 2026 University of Saskatchewan (USask) Spring Convocation stage as the Edwards Goodspeed Award recipient. At Davidson School, she graduated in a class of 21 students and earned the highest average in the school’s history. At Edwards, she continued that momentum, completing her Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting with a minor in International Business and finishing with the highest cumulative average in her cohort.

Throughout her studies, White received 14 scholarships and awards, including the Edwards Undergraduate Scholarship, Joseph H. Thompson Scholarship, the Korpach Family Scholarship, the MNP Accounting Scholarship, the Nicole Mackisey Leadership Scholarship and many more. She was also on the Dean’s Honour Roll every year from 2021 to 2026.

“Success was not about being naturally smart. It was about showing up and doing the work,” said White.

Her university experience was about more than grades. She took on leadership roles as president of the Accounting Club of Edwards (ACE) and competed as an accounting delegate at JDC West. She also volunteered as a buddy for incoming exchange students. Together, these experiences helped her build confidence and find her place in the Edwards community.

Looking back, stepping into leadership did not come naturally at first.

“I was always happy to stay behind the scenes,” White said. “But it pushed me outside my comfort zone and helped me build confidence.”

As ACE president, White saw the importance of representation.

“Representation matters, especially in spaces where women have been underrepresented,” said White. “If I could encourage even one more female student to pursue accounting or take on a leadership role, it would be worth it.”

While her leadership roles helped build confidence, White’s time at Edwards also came with challenges. She managed chronic anxiety throughout her degree while balancing academic and extracurricular commitments. She also faced a family emergency when a serious field fire injured her father and brother on their farm.

Through these experiences, she learned to rely on her support system and to speak more openly about her struggles. 

“Opening up about my challenges helped me move forward,” said White. “Anxiety is something I still navigate every day, but I have learned I do not have to face it alone.”

This growth gave her the confidence to embrace new experiences beyond campus. White studied abroad in Liverpool, England, for six months, an experience she describes as both challenging and transformative.

“It showed me that if I keep pushing myself, my anxiety doesn’t have to define my limits,” said White.

The experience also shaped how she now reflects on her time at Edwards. She encourages students to take advantage of every opportunity.

“My biggest takeaway from my time at Edwards is to take advantage of all the opportunities presented to you,” said White. “Of course, academics are important, but the experiences I had and the friends I made at Edwards are what made it memorable.”

That mindset also shaped White’s academic direction. Initially interested in corporate law, she discovered accounting through an introductory class at Edwards, where, as she describes it, everything clicked. Her interest later evolved into a passion for forensic accounting.

“I have always been drawn to solving complex problems,” said White. “Forensic accounting combines my curiosity with my desire to make an impact. If I can contribute to making a business environment more transparent and secure, that would be incredibly meaningful.”

Now enrolled in the Master of Professional Accounting program at Edwards, White is working toward her CPA designation. After graduation, she will begin her career at MNP, with the long‑term goal of becoming a forensic accountant.

After years of hard work and overcoming challenges, receiving the Goodspeed Award holds special meaning for White.

“It means more than I can even put into words,” said White. “I could not have done it without the support of my family, friends, and professors at Edwards, who always believed in me.”

As she looks ahead, White carries with her a strong sense of purpose, shaped by perseverance, leadership, and the community that supported her along the way.