How School Leadership and Sports Led Me To the Loran Scholarship

Age: 18
School: Dalhousie University
Program: Kinesiology
Scholarship amount: $100,000

I’m from St. Lewis, which is a small town on the south coast of Labrador. I heard about the Loran Award from an academic adviser when I was in Grade 12; I was intrigued. It’s a $100,000 scholarship that focuses on leadership. I’ve held a lot of leadership positions and really enjoy inspiring others to become leaders themselves. As student council president, I led school events like pep rallies and fundraisers. I’m also a member of the Junior Canadian Rangers. We travel for shooting competitions, go on camping trips and attend community events, which I help organize and lead. I’m also part of the Aboriginal Sports and Recreation Circle of Newfoundland and Labrador—I’m Southern Labrador Nunatukavut. We meet to share information on what my town—or surrounding towns—might need in terms of recreational supplies and buildings or equipment that need repair. 

The application for the Loran involved a few short essays, a video response and then semifinal interviews, which were three one-on-one Zoom interviews, plus one panel interview. I was a finalist and flew out to Toronto for in-person interviews in February. There were six or seven interviews, plus some speaking panels and networking opportunities to meet other Loran scholars. Throughout the interviewing process, I asked my friends and family for advice. They told me to be calm and relaxed and to maintain eye contact. I would recommend that people be confident in an interview, but also be humble. Don’t act like you know you’re going to get the scholarship. 

I was 10 hours away from home, in an airport with my volleyball team, when I found out I got the scholarship. We’d just won a tournament. My friend asked me what had happened because I looked distraught. I told him that I just got a massive scholarship and that my life was changing in front of his eyes. 

I was going to apply for a bachelor of physical education at Memorial University, since it’s closer to home. But winning the scholarship allowed me to go to Dalhousie, my dream university, where I’m studying kinesiology. Now, I get to have the experience of moving away and living on my own, and also studying in a great program with more opportunities. I’m considering becoming a physiotherapist or a strength and conditioning coach. Winning the Loran absolutely changed my life.