Our Scholars

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

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Lily founded and leads the Indigenous Leadership Club at her school, which aims to support Indigenous communities and provide education on different Indigenous cultures. She teaches a youth-led elementary math class and is a certified mentor to younger students. Lily is a competitive dancer, President of the Newspaper Club, and participated in her city's Youth Firefighter program. Close Bio

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

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Marème is the president of the student government as well as the counsel for the student council of Viamonde. She represents her peers in her community and organizes activities and gatherings to build school spirit as well as a sense of belonging for everyone. She recently kicked off a podcast with Association des femmes canadiennes-françaises and she is working on an awareness initiative for Viamonde. Marème was previously the president of the Fédération de la jeunesse franco-ontarienne. Close Bio

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

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Mariana is the Co-President of Dawson's Feminist Union, a delegate on the Model United Nations team, and the Events Coordinator for the Law Club. She is a founding member of The Creative Collective for Change, which brings educators, students, activists, and artists together to address social issues in creative ways, and leads an initiative that provides free and sustainable menstrual hygiene products at her college. Close Bio

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

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Max is the Founder and Executive Director of a youth-led non-profit, as well as the host of a radio show interviewing politicians, artists, and humanitarians to answer questions posed by youth. He is the Co-President of his school’s Student Council and a member of his city’s Youth Council. Max is a student, instructor, and performer of dance, music, theatre and digital arts. He is a certified ski instructor at his local ski hill. Close Bio

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

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As part of the school policy table, Max participated in several congresses across Canada about the French educational challenges in minority communities. They fight for the rights of the LGBQIA2+ community by leading a diversity club and organizing a wide array of activities promoting inclusivity. Max participated in the establishment of non-binary washrooms and a new inclusive dress code at schools. They also organized a workshop on queer identity. Close Bio

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

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Muhaddisa is the VP of Operations at a non-profit organization providing youth opportunities. She is the Captain of her school’s public-speaking team and coaches junior students. She plans initiatives as part of her constituency youth council and local library teen council. Muhaddisa aids with food distribution for those who are unhoused and fundraises for humanitarian crises through her school club. Close Bio

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

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Passionate about literature, poetry, theatre and science, Neila’s creations and projects have been recognized across the province and the country. She initiated SalleZen, a concept that provides students at her school with a comforting space whenever they struggle with mental health. Neila is also a member of the Youth Mental Health Advisory Committee of New Brunswick, which focuses on suicide prevention among youth. Close Bio

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

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Olivier is currently the president of the student council at his school and has been involved with it for more than three years. He plays hockey, soccer, and volleyball and is a member of his school’s improv team and theatre committee. He is a soccer coach for his local club and has been a coach for mini handball at his town’s primary school. Olivier is also a hockey referee.  Close Bio

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

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Ridhwanlai is the Founder of Wake-Up Mental Health, a non-profit organization offering workshops in support of mental well-being. He is also Co-Chair of his school’s Student Council and Founder of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council. He competes in volleyball, basketball, badminton, and track. Ridhwanlai volunteers in his community and is a Kumon tutor. Close Bio

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

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Rosalie promotes intercultural connections at her workplace by translating Spanish. As a caregiver for an elderly person since the last four years, she highlights the importance of intergenerational relationships. She is contributing to the writing of a play in its entirety as part of a collective and artistic endeavour in collaboration with ten other students. As a member of the Sopar committee, Rosalie has organized fundraisers and awareness weeks on water scarcity in India as well as on the role of Indigenous communities in Quebec. Close Bio