THUNDER BAY – Three students from the Thunder Bay region are in the running for the prestigious Loran Award this weekend. The award is valued at up to $100,000 and provides support and opportunities to students pursuing post-secondary education.
Harasees Singh and Adam Luoma of Thunder Bay, and Avery Grouette-McDougall of Marathon, are among 88 students chosen from over 5,000 applicants to participate in national selections in Toronto this weekend. Up to 36 will receive the Loran award, while the remaining finalists will be eligible for a $5,000 award.
The Loran Award includes a full tuition waver at 25 partner universities in Canada, funded summer internships throughout their degree, and a $10,000 annual stipend. It also includes other mentoring and networking opportunities.
Singh, a grade 12 student at Superior CVI, said he learned about the award near the beginning of high school, but never thought he’d be in the running for it. He remembers being a bit intimidated by the impressive bios of past winners. But after becoming highly involved at his school and several community organizations, he could soon find himself in that company.
Singh is the president of the student council at Superior, where he has helped run financial literacy programs and charitable events. He has also volunteered with local groups like the Regional Multicultural Youth Centre.
The award’s emphasis on factors beyond academics, like leadership and volunteerism, reward students like Singh, who have done some of their hardest work outside the classroom.
“To make a change, sometimes you have to put as much effort as possible,” he says. “Then when you find what you’re doing is working, you want to [do] even more. That kind of loop made me want to put more effort into things outside of school, where I was seeing that the things I’m doing can make a difference to people’s lives. That’s what really pushed me.”
Grouette-McDougall, who is in her final year of high school in Marathon, was also attracted by the awards’ holistic focus when she looked into applying.
“I think the biggest thing that caught my eye was how it said they believe that a young person’s character is a better indicator of overall potential than just grades,” she says.
Grouette McDougall is highly involved in athletics, has participated in the youth ranger program, worked at a mine, and been involved with women in trades events.
The finalists go through a series of five interviews over the weekend in Toronto. Grouette-McDougall and Singh both said while they were understandably a bit nervous heading into the event, they looked forward to the experience and making connections with other youth from across the country.
Grouette-McDougall had been preparing for typical interview questions – “Tell me about yourself, that’s always the hardest one,” she says half-jokingly – but says the process isn’t meant to be intimidating.
“I’ve just kind of been reminding myself of my aspirations, what I have compassion for,” she says. “They really just want to get to know you, and what kind of leader you can become.”
The students say receiving the award would be a game-changer in pursuing their academic interests. Singh is interested in medical science, among a number of other fields, while Grouette-McDougall is looking at science education and kinesiology. She says the financial support will give her more flexibility in being able to study farther from home, if necessary.
While the eye-popping dollar value of the Loran award tends to get a lot of attention, the students say the less tangible benefits, like the summer internship and mentorship opportunities, are perhaps the most valuable to them.
