You could say Joseph Saturnino is a bit of an influencer.

In his academic career, the Grade 12 Bishop Ryan Catholic Secondary School student has picked up over 40 awards from Science and Engineering Fairs at the local, regional, national, and international level.

He even has an Asteroid named after him, given by MIT Lincoln Laboratory.

His unwavering success garnered interest amongst classmates, with his school seeing a 300% increase in students wanting to compete in science fairs.

If that’s not impressive enough, his latest feat takes the cake.

Out of over 1,500 interested applicants, Saturnino was one of 100 recipients to receive a Schulich Leader Scholarship, awarding him $100K towards his post-secondary education at McMaster University.

Established by Canadian philanthropist Seymour Schulich in 2012, Schulich Leaders is a $100-million entrance scholarship program for students entering Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math undergraduate programs at participating universities in Canada. The program ensures that Canada’s top minds entering STEM disciplines will become the next generation of technology innovators.

His Schulich Leader Scholarship, along with a Dean’s Excellence Entrance Scholarship, Admission Scholarship, Summer Research Experience Award, McMaster Entrance Scholarship, and a SME Scholarship all amounting to $25K, will see Saturnino attend the post-secondary institution this fall for engineering.

In a word, he’s “ecstatic.”

“This is a once in a lifetime moment,” Saturnino said, who added that the scholarships will “change everything.”

“Not only will it allow me to spend more time focusing on developing new innovations, but also allow me to grow my network with other Schulich leaders.”

In his corner, Principal Michael Lawlor continues to cheer on his accomplishments.

“Joseph is an exceptionally creative and innovative young man with a bright future ahead of him. We are all very proud at Bishop Ryan Catholic Secondary School that he is a Celtic and will join other alumni who have gone on to do great things.”

Guidance Teacher Sheila Mazza agrees.

“It was a pleasure to work with such a hard-working, humble young man who has incredible self-discipline. He is so focused and implements strategies to achieve his goals and I am so excited about his future.”

With an army of support behind him, Saturnino is eager to get to work.

“I want to be Ironman,” he said.

“In simplest terms, I want to be someone who changes the world.”