The Loran Scholars Foundation is redefining the idea of scholarships in Canada: looking beyond marks, we find and bring together community-engaged students who show strength of character and are ready to embrace the challenge of leaving the world better than they found it. As graduating high school and Cégep students, the pursuits and accomplishments of the 36 newest recipients of the Loran Award are exemplary, but it is their values-driven approach to leading and dedication to uplifting their communities that distinguish them as Loran Scholars.
As the newest recipients of the Loran Award, these students participated in an in-depth, nationwide selection process carried out through the work of hundreds of volunteer assessors and interviewers. We look for qualities that grades alone cannot show: a breadth of interests, and deep commitment to service, the courage to make difficult decisions, and the determination to work towards long-term goals.
Within the new cohort, one scholar founded a nonprofit to support mental well-being; another established her First Nation community’s first youth centre; one organized a fundraiser to advocate for and raise awareness of struggles faced by Afghan women; another serves as her school board student trustee and lead astronomer at an eco-park; and one founded a science club for his local elementary students. These are but a few examples that give us hope for a future in which these emerging leaders are able to realize their potential. We know they just need support and opportunities to grow.
Loran Scholars benefit from a four-year, comprehensive leadership-enrichment program, tuition waivers and financial support, and a network of values-driven peers and mentors—unlike anything else offered in this country. We give exceptional young people a launchpad to unlock their potential and empower them to make positive change in their communities.
From writing an application to attending National Interviews in Toronto, the entire Loran selection process is a personal growth experience, in itself — a chance for the students to reflect, learn about themselves, and connect with other passionate and optimistic young changemakers. In addition to the four-year Loran Award granted to 36 students, we also recognize and provide one-time entrance awards to 54 Loran Finalists who made it to Nationals and 60 students recognized as Loran Provincial and Territorial Award recipients at the semi-final level. Overall, we will be investing close to $4 million in 150 students across Canada this year.
Since its inception 34 years ago, the Loran Scholars Foundation has provided more than $62 million in undergraduate awards to 3,200+ promising high school and Cégep students including 757 Loran Scholars. Together, alumni of the program form a diverse ecosystem of purpose-driven leaders pushing boundaries across an array of fields, such as technology, the arts, law, science, education, and finance. Loran Scholars have gone on to hold such positions as: President, Doctors of the World; Country Manager for Azerbaijan, The World Bank; Assistant Professor, Critical Studies of Race & Indigeneity at the University of Toronto; Chief of Staff, Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency with the Government of Canada; and CEO, Birds Canada. Moreover, 8 Loran Scholars have gone on to clerk for the Supreme Court and 24 have been selected as Rhodes Scholars. Though their work spans a multitude of sectors and disciplines, alumni share and continue to be guided by Loran’s core values of character, service, and leadership.
2023 Loran Scholars in the news
MEDIA CONTACTS
Roxy Rae, Community Engagement & Communications Officer
roxy.rae@loranscholar.ca
Danielle Jasniewski, Community Engagement & Communications Manager
danielle.jasniewski@loranscholar.ca

Akutaq Williamson Bathory
Ralph M. Barford Loran Scholar - 2023
University of Calgary
Inuksuk High School
Iqaluit
Nunavut

Alex Hawkins
Loran Scholar - 2023
University of Toronto
Rothesay High School
Rothesay
New Brunswick

Ana Theriault
Applebanks Loran Scholar - 2023
Dalhousie University
Fredericton Christian Academy
Fredericton
New Brunswick

Anastasia-Lina Hamici
Loran Scholar - 2023
University of Toronto
École secondaire Étienne-Brűlé
Scarborough
Ontario

Banin Arjmand
Applebanks Loran Scholar - 2023
University of Saskatchewan
Nutana Collegiate
Saskatoon
Saskatchewan

Braydon Hunter
Loran Scholar - 2023
Queen's University
Riverview Rural High School
Sydney
Nova Scotia

Brynna Coogan
McCall MacBain Loran Scholar - 2023
University of British Columbia
Cowichan Secondary School
Duncan
British Columbia

Burhanuddin Yamani
Dobson Loran Scholar - 2023
University of Alberta
École Mallaig Community School
Vilna
Alberta

Cadena Brazeau
BMO Capital Markets Loran Scholar - 2023
University of Calgary
Strathclair Community School
Keeseekoowenin First Nation
Manitoba

Catherine Hu
McCall MacBain Loran Scholar - 2023
McGill University
Collège André-Grasset
Montréal
Québec

Chloe Carruthers
Scace Loran Scholar - 2023
Queen's University
Georgetown District High School
Georgetown
Ontario

Danya Elkhidir
BMO Capital Markets Loran Scholar - 2023
University of British Columbia
Victoria High School
Victoria
British Columbia

Ellen Brisley
McCall MacBain Loran Scholar - 2023
University of British Columbia
Cameron Heights Collegiate Institute
Waterloo
Ontario

Garvit Jain
Ralph M. Barford Loran Scholar - 2023
University of Waterloo
Old Scona Academic High School
Edmonton
Alberta

Gerardo Mejia
McCall MacBain Loran Scholar - 2023
University of British Columbia
H. J. Cambie Secondary School
Richmond
British Columbia

Gracie Diabo
Loran Scholar - 2023
McGill University
John Abbott College
Kahnawake
Québec

Graeme Hanks
John H. McArthur Loran Scholar - 2023
University of British Columbia
South Kamloops Secondary School
Kamloops
British Columbia

Jacob Kranjac
Loran Scholar - 2023
Queen's University
Bishop Reding Catholic Secondary School
Milton
Ontario

Joesh Khunkhun
McCall MacBain Loran Scholar - 2023
University of British Columbia
St. George's School
Vancouver
British Columbia

Kaitlyn Breon
McCall MacBain Loran Scholar - 2023
Memorial University
Elwood High School
Deer Lake
Newfoundland and Labrador

Lily Renaud
Loran Scholar - 2023
University of British Columbia
G.W. Graham Secondary School
Chilliwack
British Columbia

Marème Diongue
Gucciardi Loran Scholar - 2023
University of Ottawa
École Ronald-Marion
Toronto
Ontario

Mariana Cueto Mendoza
Heaslip Loran Scholar - 2023
Université de Montréal
Dawson College
Montréal
Québec

Max Pittman
Loran Scholar - 2023
University of British Columbia
Corner Brook Regional High School
Corner Brook
Newfoundland and Labrador

Max Turmel
McCall MacBain Loran Scholar - 2023
Simon Fraser University
École secondaire catholique Béatrice-Desloges
Orleans
Ontario

Muhaddisa Sarwari
Ralph M. Barford Loran Scholar - 2023
University of British Columbia
Fraser Heights Secondary School
Surrey
British Columbia

Neila Selouani
Dobson Loran Scholar - 2023
McGill University
École Marie-Esther
Shippagan
New Brunswick

Olivier Arsenault
Loran Scholar - 2023
University of Ottawa
École Marie-Esther
Shippagan
New Brunswick

Ridhwanlai Badmos
Loran Scholar - 2023
University of British Columbia
Windsor Park Collegiate
Winnipeg
Manitoba

Rosalie Lavoie
Loran Scholar - 2023
Université de Montréal
Cégep de Lévis
Lévis
Québec

Sam Appleton
Loran Scholar - 2023
Queen's University
T.A. Blakelock High School
Oakville
Ontario

Sarah Jeanveaux
McCall MacBain Loran Scholar - 2023
Université Laval
Collège Universel - Campus Gatineau
Gatineau
Québec

Shreya Shah
Loran Scholar - 2023
University of British Columbia
University of Toronto Schools
Toronto
Ontario

Steven Yang
Cluett Loran Scholar - 2023
University of Waterloo
Winston Churchill High School
Lethbridge
Alberta

Tumi Fabiyi
Loran Scholar - 2023
University of British Columbia
Dr. E.P. Scarlett High School
Calgary
Alberta

Vanessa Memeh
Raffi Jewellers Flagship Loran Scholar - 2023
Western University
Cathedral High School
Hamilton
Ontario