‘A WEST Vancouver Secondary School
graduate's academic excellence has been
rewarded with ‘the 1996 Rhodes
Scholarship for British Columbia.

By lan Noble
News Reporter

“Now a student at the Kennedy School of
Government at Harvard University, 23-year-old
Rouzbeh Pirouz looks forward to starting at least

two years’ of study at prestigious Oxford.

University in October 1996. ;

Pirouz called the Rhodes schalarship a great
honor that makes.-his*aéademic achievements
worthwhile, Piroug looks forward to new oppor-
tunities to meet and get to know people from
diverse backgrounds as a result of the scholar-
ship.
~ “TE think it's going to be a fot of fun and hope-
fully educational.” he said,

Oxford, said Pirouz, has the resources and the
great professors he desires to continue his studies
to earn a doctorate in politics and international
relations.

Queen Elizabeth House at Oxford focuses on
many of the areas that interest Pirouz, including
the changing role of international organizations

‘suchas the World Bank, World Health
Organization and the United Nations.
However, Pirouz. who has: an international

relations degree from
Stanford University.
already has many
ideas on the subject.
In the past decade,
such institutions have
not kept pace with
rapid changes such as
telecommunications,

‘the collapse of com-

munism and finaicial
flows... around — the

world, he said.

“They § need) to
develop new institu-
tions to deal with new
realities.” Pirouz said.

Pirouz is currently
completing a project
for the Bronfman
Foundation of Montreal on how Israel can help
Palestinians develop civil service institutions that
will better serve the interests of both peoples.

Pirouz. however, has found time for more than
just studies. His involvement with volunteer
agencies includes the Disability Resource Centre.
the Stanford Homelessness Action Coalition, and
ABLE. which promotes integration of disabled
students into regular schools.

Pirouz himself has overcome physical obsta-
cles. He has had foot and back operations te cor-
rect a neuromuscular disorder he was born with.

ROUZBEH PIROUZ
.. Seeking doctor-
ate in international
relations.

 Owuers Tou ond. Chrinty say Goodbye

* After 19° years in the Lower Lonsdale neighbourhood, °
"Hangers is moving on to. another location. -As a
especial: thank you, we're Offering all our Fall Fashions
at. incredibly low prices. We've enjoyed operating our
. Pusiness on this corner and we're sorry to be leaving.
‘We hope you'll follow us to ‘our new
‘location. Come in and enter. our
weekly draw to win a pair of jeans.
and we'll put you on our mailing ©

list and send

you. an
invitation to. our
Grand Opening:

~ He said he's tearned to deal with his physical ail-.

ments,

“One thing UE hope the scholarship does is tell
disabied kids that they should not allow disabili-
lies to get in the way of things they want to do,”
Pirouz sid. “That's the way I've lived my life.”

His disabilities have provided him with a dif-
ferent perspective, made his commitment to cer-
tain issues, including public service, stronger and
“perhaps” pushed him academically, he said.

His work with the homeless hus also shaped
his outlook on society, “You recognize the impor-
tance of giving people a real chance, * he said. “1
feel very strongly equality of opportunity is
something society should strive for”

When he won the scholarship, Pirouz thought
adout his teachers at West Vancouver — Patricia

Edgar, Albert Orr, Elinor Martin, and Hilary’

Matts, :
“Tthink that they gave me a lot of encourage-

ment and self-confidence at a time in high school -
when you often don’t have a fot of self-confi- :

dence, so I'm very grateful to them.”

Six years after Pirouz graduated from high
school, Matts and Martin still remember Pirouz
for his humor and consideration for others.

“He was a wonderful student.” said Matts,

“However, when thinking of Rouzbeh you always
concentrate on how courageous he was in his own
life.”

make his mark in life.”

Selected.
Styles 0 of .
Jeans

| Calvin Klein and
“| Ikeda not included

Said Martin: “I was certain he was going fo,

"MIDLAND

i

— WALWYYN -

“ QLueE Chie THINKING