Last month, 90 students from all corners of Canada convened in Toronto for Loran’s National Selections weekend, hoping to be named a 2026 Loran Scholar. From those 90 finalists—each of whom has demonstrated strength of character, a deep commitment to service, and exceptional leadership potential—only 36 were selected.
These outstanding young people were chosen from a pool of more than 5,400 applicants. To find them, we look beyond marks to identify students with a guiding sense of purpose and a commitment to giving back. Starting last October, applicants participated in an in-depth, nationwide selections process, including essays, video submissions, and Zoom interviews, carried out by 400 volunteers. A weekend in Mississauga for National Selections was the final phase. The entire experience is rigorous but rewarding—a chance for each participant to grow, reflect, and build connections with other community-engaged youth. One scholar shared: “Nationals was the most amazing experience of my entire life, so far. Being in that group of people was incredible. I’ve never been part of anything like that before!”
Being selected as a 2026 Loran Scholar marks the start of a new journey of self-discovery, inspiration, challenge, and transformation that lasts a lifetime. Coming from 32 different communities across the country—from Nelson, BC, to Yellowknife, NT, to King’s Point, NL, and many more in between—the qualities and accomplishments of these students are unique. But what unites them as Loran Scholars is their willingness and courage to challenge the status quo, their capacity to collaborate to drive meaningful change, and their dedication to improving their communities, whether locally or globally.
Here’s a snapshot of what makes the new cohort of students stand out: One scholar serves her community from the ground up and the air down, tutoring fellow air cadets who also wish to obtain their pilot license and as a volunteer with the local fire department; one is bringing Indigenous perspectives to the Canadian Institutes of Health Research; one is a power tumbler, working to promote gender inclusivity in gymnastics; one addressed growing youth disconnect from the climate movement by organizing and hosting an event to uplift their voices and engagement; and another developed a non-invasive method to help paralyzed people regain movement using brain-computer interfaces. The leadership exemplified by the 36 new Loran Scholars gives us hope that Canada will thrive when such values-driven youth are supported as they imagine, explore, and build a brighter future.
The Loran Award gives these exceptional students a launchpad to unlock their potential and empowers them to make positive change in their communities. Loran Scholars benefit from a four-year, leadership-enrichment program, diverse opportunities for experiential learning, financial support throughout undergraduate studies, and a network of values-driven peers and mentors—unlike anything else in this country. Offered in partnership with 25 Canadian universities, it is valued at more than $100,000.
The Class of 2026
Sougui Abakar
Thorold SS
St. Catherine’s, ON
Anisa Abduhamedova
Britannia SS
Vancouver, BC
Annice Adams
McKinnon Park SS
Caledonia
Umayeer Ahsan
Bloor Collegiate Institute
Toronto, ON
Yousef al Mohamad
College Churchill HS
Winnipeg, MB
Moriah Aladejebi
Sackville HS
Lower Sackville, NS
Ala’ Alaiwah
Rutland Senior SS
Kelowna, BC
Léo Babineau
École Sainte-Anne
Fredericton, NB
Yasmine Ben Arous
Cégep Vanier
Montréal, QC
Anushka Bist
Oakridge SS
London, ON
Kate Blanchard
Valmont Academy
King’s Point, NL
Anna Brozek
Lockview High School
Fall River, NS
Madison Davey
Assumption College School
Six Nations of the Grand River, ON
Kaia Fitz-Earle
LV Rogers SS
Nelson, BC
Nathan Froebe
Carman Collegiate
Homewood, MB
Emily Gustus
Tisdale Middle and SS
Tisdale, SK
Ryan Hillier
Saint Malachy’s Memorial HS
Saint John, NB
Nimisciw Hills
Argyle Secondary
North Vancouver, BC
Finn Johnson
H.A. Kostash
Smoky Lake, AB
Timo Joubert
UWC Atlantic
Montréal, QC
Nathan Kashira
Kingston Secondary School
Kingston, ON
Hector Loiselle
Lo-Ellen Park SS
Greater Sudbury, ON
Allanah Masiglat
Glovertown Academy
Glovertown, NL
Lean McShane
École Sir John Franklin HS
Yellowknife, NT
Tessa Muddle
Strathcona Composite HS
Edmonton, AB
Lily O’Neil
Leo Hayes HS
Fredericton, NB
Kayla Okada
Nanaimo District SS
Nanaimo, BC
George Rayal
Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf
Montréal, QC
Cai Roberts
Campion College HS
Kingston, Jamaica
Bazyl Rudnicki
Middleton Regional HS
Middleton, NS
Harishvin Sasikumar
Mission SS
Mission, BC
Ibrahim Shaaban
Earl Marriott SS
Surrey, BC
Aayushi Sharma
Rossburn Collegiate
Rossburn, MB
Abeera Wasif
Bassano School
Bassano, AB
Chris Williams
Brebeuf College
Toronto, ON
Jin Lu Yu
Richmond Hill HS
Richmond Hill, ON