2020 Loran Scholars

Adam Luoma
Rebanks Family Loran Scholar - 2020
McMaster University
Hammarskjold High School
Thunder Bay
Ontario

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Adam is the president of a student-led leadership organization that runs three annual conferences. He is the co-president of his school’s student council and member of the music committee. Adam performs with the school jazz band and orchestra while also playing on the volleyball and badminton teams. He coaches the junior badminton team and works as a barista. Close Bio

Adam Matthews-Kott
Dobson Loran Scholar - 2020
McGill University
Inquiry Hub Secondary School
Port Coquitlam
British Columbia

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Adam founded his school’s first sports team, leading his school to cross-country provincials. He designed the school’s first yearbook and started photography club, later serving as chief photographer for local federal Green candidates. He plays accordion and leads multi-day wilderness backpacking expeditions. A volunteer adaptive ski instructor, Adam also lifeguards and teaches swimming for multiple cities in Metro Vancouver. Close Bio

Adithi Balaji
Rebanks Family Loran Scholar - 2020
University of Victoria
École St. Patrick High School
Yellowknife
Northwest Territories

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Adithi spearheaded a composting program and organizes climate strikes as a leader of her school Green Team. She is the squadron commander of the Yellowknife Air Cadet squadron and designs set pieces for school theatre productions. Adithi is a participant in a youth community service club and volunteers with the local food bank. She works at the Yellowknife Public Library. Close Bio

Alaa Khalaf
BMO Capital Markets Loran Scholar - 2020
Queen's University
George S. Henry Academy
Toronto
Ontario

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Arriving in Canada three years ago as a Syrian refugee, Alaa challenged herself to learn English in three months and did just that. Alaa has been focused on helping newcomers in her school, as a Student Newcomer Ambassador and peer tutor, and also through her involvement at Afghan Women’s Organization, in which she developed and led English Language Conversation Circles. Close Bio

Alex Parsan
Dobson Loran Scholar - 2020
University of Ottawa
Heart Lake Secondary School
Brampton
Ontario

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Alex is vice-president of the student council, a multi-instrumentalist in the school concert band, and founder of the mock trial team. He plays a key role in organizing a yearly inter-school community STEAM event. Outside of school, he’s an active member of his local karate dojo and works as a freelance marketing assistant. Close Bio

Amar Farkouh
McCall MacBain Loran Scholar - 2020
Université de Montréal
Cégep de Sherbrooke
Sherbrooke
Quebec

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Amar is a Syrian immigrant who arrived in Canada in 2016. He coordinated activities for children at the St. Éphrem Church and became a member of the Municipal Youth Council of Sherbrooke. He also participated in the Bishop’s Forum, a civic engagement program for young English-speaking Quebecers. He volunteers with SAFRIE, an organization supporting refugee and immigrant families in Estrie. Amar is currently a research student focusing on light pollution with his Cegep research group. Close Bio

Anson Yu
BMO Capital Markets Loran Scholar - 2020
University of Waterloo
R.E. Mountain Secondary School
Langley
British Columbia

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Anson leads the national youth team for a charity organization that empowers youth to empower children with disabilities through creative therapy programs, fundraising events, and workshops. She helped establish the first beehive at her school and advocates for environmental causes through videography and photojournalism. Anson works as a graphic designer and a debate coach for underprivileged elementary students. Close Bio

Awa Hanane Diagne
Azrieli Loran Scholar - 2020
University of Toronto
Marianopolis College
Montreal
Quebec

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Awa founded and leads The Woke Folk, a non-profit that funds the education of girls living in developing countries. She is president of the Black Student Union at her school, runs the podcast network and served on the social justice committee. Awa was highly involved with the RCMP Youth Committee. She enjoys writing journalistic and creative pieces for various publications. Close Bio

Ayden Harrison
John H. McArthur Loran Scholar - 2020
Queen's University
Lillooet Secondary School
Lillooet
British Columbia

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Ayden created a group for young girls to feel empowered, focusing on girls in the fifth grade and giving them a safe and positive space. She also has volunteered at Mountain View Lodge Long Term Care Home for just over three years. She works one on one with patients, talking, reading, or playing board games with them. Close Bio

Cai Mitchell
Azrieli Loran Scholar - 2020
University of Toronto
John Abbott College
Hudson
Quebec

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Cai founded a Gender & Sexuality Alliance in high school. He was head delegate for Model UN, where he organized an introductory conference for younger students. He is co-founder and editor-in-chief of a student academic journal at his Cegep, and is an advocate for transgender students. He plays violin and has served as section leader with the West Island Youth Orchestra. Close Bio

Camille Maltais
McCall MacBain Loran Scholar - 2020
Université de Montréal
Cégep de Granby
Granby
Quebec

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Camille is part of her Cegep’s student association and came up with numerous activities and programs to increase the feeling of belonging in the community. She contributes to several student committees and launched multiple awareness activities. Camille works as a panelist in a community center for people living with intellectual disabilities and/or those diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders, where she has been volunteering since she was 15 years old. Close Bio

Cole Stainer
Loran Scholar - 2020
University of British Columbia
Birtle Collegiate Institute
Birtle
Manitoba

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Captain of his high school's hockey and basketball teams, Cole coaches youth sports programs. He enjoys organizing school activities as student council co-president, and diving into the world of Harry Potter. Cole hopes to combine his business acumen and passion for engineering to create a better world. Close Bio

Connor Watrych
Applebanks Loran Scholar - 2020
University of Alberta
Yorkton Regional High School
Yorkton
Saskatchewan

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Connor founded Touchdown for Kids to raise money for youth in his community to access football. He is the student body president at his school and a member of the leadership class. Connor works at the pool and is a member of the football, basketball, track, and the pole vaulting team. Close Bio

Dhanishta Ambwani
Loran Scholar - 2020
McGill University
Leo Hayes High School
Fredericton
New Brunswick

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Dhanishta founded and leads the Youth for Youth Art Collective in her community. The collective’s mission is to create and empower a community of youth artists. She leads her school’s Model UN club and initiatives to provide free menstrual products and meals to those in need. Dhanishta volunteers actively at the hospital and was a student intern at NB Power. Close Bio

Giovanni Ferraresso
McCall MacBain Loran Scholar - 2020
University of British Columbia
Byrne Creek Secondary School
Burnaby
British Columbia

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Giovanni is vice-president of the student council who organizes an annual Hamper Drive, providing families relief over the holidays. He is co-president of his school's Robotics Club, which participated in the FIRST Robotics Competition. He designs free STEM camps for elementary school students. He plays lacrosse and coaches Under 11-13 teams. He works as a swim instructor and lifeguard. Close Bio

Govind Deol
McCall MacBain Loran Scholar - 2020
University of British Columbia
L.A. Matheson Secondary School
Surrey
British Columbia

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Govind founded an after-school basketball program at an elementary school. He helps organize a summer camp that keeps youth in his community away from negative influences. As a leadership student, Govind organized a fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society. He is a regular volunteer with a local charity, retirement residence, and Surrey Crime Prevention Society. He works as a cashier. Close Bio

Heather Chisholm
Rebanks Family Loran Scholar - 2020
McGill University
Rothesay Netherwood School
Quispamsis
New Brunswick

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Heather founded and leads an international school construction project. She spoke at the 2018 Round Square International Conference as a Kurt Hahn recipient. Heather helps organize a youth-run concert to combat teen poverty, and mentors youth through Go Girls. She runs community events, directs student productions, participates in debate and basketball, and captains the rowing team. Close Bio

Kaiden Thompson
Rebanks Family Loran Scholar - 2020
University of Toronto
Indian Head High School
Indian Head
Saskatchewan

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Kaiden co-founded and leads a GSA in his school. He is the drama club’s stage manager, editor of the yearbook, executive of the student council, and student representative of the school council. Kaiden is the youth representative for an events committee at his local theatre to help offer artistic opportunities for youth. He works at a movie theatre. Close Bio

Katarzyna Farrell
Loran Scholar - 2020
Dalhousie University
Riverview Rural High School
Sydney
Nova Scotia

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Katarzyna is a Team Lead with the VolunTEEN program at her local hospital, and helped establish a Me to We club at her school. She has organized events for non-profits and is a member of the student council. Katarzyna actively participates in the equestrian community both as a participant and as a mentor. She also works as a cashier. Close Bio

Kinsley Jura
Gucciardi Loran Scholar - 2020
McGill University
St. Peter Catholic High School
Orleans
Ontario

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Kinsley is co-president of her school's Interact Club. She is a Child and Family Support volunteer at a pediatric palliative care center. She teaches piano to children in her community. Kinsley has a leadership role within her school's mentorship and mental health club. As an advocate for cultural awareness, she leads and organizes Black History Month activities within her school. Close Bio

Kylee Smith
McCall MacBain Loran Scholar - 2020
University of British Columbia
Stamford Collegiate
Niagara Falls
Ontario

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Kylee is a member of the Ontario Nature Youth Council and Youth Circle for Mother Earth, and has organized multiple Indigenous Awareness weeks. She is involved with extracurriculars in her school such as volleyball, student council, and chess. Kylee works as a Pollinator Researcher. In her spare time, she takes pictures, hikes, and organizes protests. Close Bio

Kylie Flynn
Scace Loran Scholar - 2020
University of Ottawa
Marion M. Graham Collegiate
Saskatoon
Saskatchewan

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Kylie is a competitive swim coach who has served as captain of her swim team and participated in Saskatchewan’s 2017 Canada Games. She is a student council co-president, participates in school bands, and is completing her bilingual certificate. Kylie’s volunteer work with cognitively challenged youth in her community inspired her to implement a similar program in her school. Close Bio

Lavan Balendran
Ralph M. Barford Loran Scholar - 2020
University of British Columbia
Abelard School
Toronto
Ontario

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Lavan founded and continues to develop a local youth lounge, The Underground, with a leadership team he helps facilitate. As a member of his school’s student council, he introduced a mentorship program for students transitioning into high school and organized food and clothing drives for local charities. Lavan plays drums and marimba, and volunteers at computer literacy classes for children. Close Bio

Leilani Pearson
Rebanks Family Loran Scholar - 2020
Queen's University
Hugh Boyd Secondary
Richmond
British Columbia

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Leilani is a main organizer of Extended Learning Time, a free after-school tutoring program. She is a dedicated member of the First Responders and provides basic first aid at her school. As vice president of the Greenthumbers, she helps organize fundraisers and cleanups in the community. Leilani is working on initiating a free Breakfast Club for students at Boyd. Close Bio

Lydia Hardy
Johnston Loran Scholar - 2020
Memorial University
St. Stephen’s All Grade
Rencontre East
Newfoundland and Labrador

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Lydia strives to break stigmas surrounding mental health and homosexuality in her outport hometown by openly discussing her struggles. She has been a devoted summer employee to MOWI and town council beautification projects, punching 100 work hours weekly. Lydia is an advocate for human rights and has been volunteering to recycle at school since 2007. Close Bio

Mamanar Diasse
McCall MacBain Loran Scholar - 2020
University of Ottawa
Eastdale Collegiate and Vocational Institute
Oshawa
Ontario

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Mamanar is the founder and editor-in-chief of her school newspaper. She plays soccer and is an active member in her student council and diversity club. Mamanar organizes events and initiatives including Culture Week activities to build community in her school. She currently works at a cake boutique and cafe. Close Bio

Margaux Roncière
Scotiabank Loran Scholar - 2020
University of Toronto
Dawson College
Dorval
Quebec

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Margaux had several of her works exhibited and published a book in the context of an international cooperation project aiming to develop female leadership in Senegal. She also led other humanitarian projects in Benin and Nepal. Locally, she volunteers as a mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters. She is a member of the UN club and contributed to several student committees. She works for a consulting firm while also tutoring at the Cegep level. Close Bio

Maryna Rusakova
Temerty Loran Scholar - 2020
McGill University
Champlain College, St. Lawrence
Quebec
Quebec

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Maryna regularly helps with organizing fundraising events for the extracurricular committees of which she is a member. She also volunteers at community organizations such as MSF and participates in several clubs for entrepreneurship or intercultural representation either as a member or as part of the executive committee. With her partner, Maryna launched an eco-responsible company that reduces food waste. She also volunteered to provide free lunches to the students of her school located in a low-income neighbourhood. Close Bio

Maya Linsley
Loran Scholar - 2020
University of Victoria
Eastwood Collegiate Institute
Kitchener
Ontario

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Maya is the founder and editor of her school's newspaper. She worked at a summer camp for individuals with special needs, and volunteers for venues across her community. Maya is an active leader in numerous school clubs, and has directed plays and films. She is a Youth Representative for Ontario's Co-operative Young Leaders program, and works as a server in a local hotel. Close Bio

Rain Hye
McCall MacBain Loran Scholar - 2020
McGill University
Westmount Secondary School
Hamilton
Ontario

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Rain Hye is the co-founder of Model City Hall Hamilton, a conference that makes municipal politics accessible to youth. He was a co-op student in a Hamilton city councillor’s office, and served as HWDSB Student Trustee. Rain coordinated a project at the Disability Justice Network of Ontario, and before that studied abroad in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Close Bio

Sabah Sharif
Ralph M. Barford Loran Scholar - 2020
McGill University
F. W. Johnson Collegiate
Regina
Saskatchewan

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Sabah hosted many events regarding the importance of Truth and Reconciliation, including the Treaty Four Flag Raising Ceremony, at her school and community. She volunteers with the Regina Open Door Society where she teaches young newcomers English and helps them with their homework while also leading a peer group at her school. Sabah also works part-time and helps her family. Close Bio

Sumaya Soufi
Wheaton Loran Scholar - 2020
McGill University
Ross Sheppard High School
Edmonton
Alberta

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Sumaya initiated a weekly drop-in class for Muslim women in her community to learn and play basketball. As Secretary for RSH Interact, she attended a community development trip to Belize. Sumaya uses visual arts and poetry to revitalize Somali culture in her community. She currently hosts a podcast that engages students with pressing topics, and works as a Minor Official. Close Bio

Sydney Strocen
Marilyn & Walter Booth Loran Scholar - 2020
University of British Columbia
William Morton Collegiate
Langruth
Manitoba

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Sydney has served as treasurer in student government for the last two years. She is a member of her school's environmental and social justice groups. Sydney volunteers at the Manitoba Museum and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. A SHAD Carleton fellow, she works in her family's tire shop. Close Bio

Taim Saeed
McCall MacBain Loran Scholar - 2020
McMaster University
Loyalist Collegiate & Vocational Institute
Kingston
Ontario

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As a Syrian refugee himself, Taim is a support team member with the Refugee Resettlement Services Kingston (RRSK). He started and leads a translating committee to help with teacher-parent communication for non-English speakers at his school. He serves as a captain on his football and rugby teams. Taim has also been working part-time since grade nine. Close Bio

Victoria Champagne
Lallemand Loran Scholar - 2020
Université de Sherbrooke
Cégep Limoilou (campus de Québec)
Château-Richer
Quebec

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Victoria is part of the Royal Canadian Army Cadets and holds the top leadership position in her unit. She actively contributes to the community of this program. Victoria developed a program demystifying the passage from secondary to post-secondary school for students in their fifth year, with the intent of making this less-discussed transition easier. She is active among the underprivileged people of Quebec City and also contributes to the Quebec Arthritis Society. Close Bio

Zelal Kaya
BMO Capital Markets Loran Scholar - 2020
University of Ottawa
Tommy Douglas Secondary School
Vaughan
Ontario

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Zelal is the president of her high school’s Model UN, multicultural, and yoga clubs. She is the current youth team chair of the McMichael Canadian Art Collection. Zelal has volunteered with the International Refugee Rights Association in Istanbul. She translated and distributed vital documents. Zelal remains an active member of the local Kurdish community, and works as a tutor. Close Bio