Introducing the three newest Loran Scholars to join UBC Engineering

The Loran Scholars Foundation is committed to identifying and supporting high-potential young Canadians to realize their full potential. To find these young people, the foundation administers the most thorough scholarship selection process in the country. As such, selection supersedes grades and is based on strength of character, a deep commitment to service, evidence of courage, compassion, and an entrepreneurial spirit.

“Being a Loran Scholar means a lot to me, it has given me many opportunities to reach out to new people and be a part of a community that is full of leaders,” says Lavan.

These scholars embody Loran’s values of character, commitment to serving their communities, and long-term leadership potential, as demonstrated by their contributions and initiatives:

While attending Byrne Creek Secondary School, Giovanni Ferraresso was vice-president of the student council that organizes an annual Hamper Drive, providing families relief over the holidays. He was co-president of his school's Robotics Club, which participated in the FIRST Robotics Competition. He designed free STEM camps for elementary school students. He played lacrosse and coached Under 11-13 teams. He worked as a swim instructor and lifeguard. Giovanni chose to attend UBC for Engineering “because [the program] combines a strong, theoretical background with a wide variety of practical and hands-on opportunities.”

For Kylee Smith attending UBC has been a “dream since freshman year”. The province also impressed Kylee because of its “beautiful scenery and environmental sustainability and awareness.” While attending Stamford Collegiate, she was a member of the Ontario Nature Youth Council and Youth Circle for Mother Earth and organized multiple Indigenous Awareness weeks. She was involved with extracurriculars in her school such as volleyball, student council, and chess, and worked as a Pollinator Researcher. In her spare time, she takes pictures, hikes, and organizes protests.

Lavan Balendran founded and continues to develop a local youth lounge, The Underground, in Toronto with a leadership team he helps facilitate. As a member of Abelard School’s student council, he introduced a mentorship program for students transitioning into high school and organized food and clothing drives for local charities. Lavan plays drums and marimba and volunteered at computer literacy classes for children.

Of the 696 past and present Loran Scholars, 86 have chosen to attend the University of British Columbia over the past three decades. One University of British Columbia Loran Scholar, Aneil Jaswal (W. Garfield Weston Loran Scholar ’07), became a Rhodes Scholar in 2007.

Applications for the 2021 Loran Award will open in early September: www.loranscholar.ca/becoming-a-scholar/.

To learn more about the Loran Award and how you can support the Loran Scholars Foundation, please visit www.loranscholar.ca.

About the Loran Scholars Foundation and Loran Award

The Loran Scholars Foundation, established in 1988, is a national charity that works in partnership with universities, donors, and volunteers throughout the country to find and nurture young people who demonstrate strength of character, commitment to service, and leadership potential. The foundation looks for qualities in Loran Scholars that a transcript alone cannot show — integrity, courage, compassion, determination, entrepreneurial spirit, and a high level of personal autonomy — and invests in these students to study and realize their potential on Canadian university campuses.

Loran Scholars receive a renewable four-year award valued at up to $100,000 comprising an annual $10,000 living stipend and matching tuition waiver from one of the foundation’s 25 partner universities; up to $10,000 in funding for tri-sectoral summer experiences in Canada and abroad; one-on-one mentorship; and the opportunity to connect with other high-potential youth through scholar gatherings. Following their undergraduate studies, Loran Scholars are welcomed into an engaged alumni community, in which former scholars connect and collaborate through regional hubs and larger reunion events.

For Media Inquiries Contact:

Danielle Sanders
Marketing & Communications Officer, Loran Scholars Foundation
danielle.sanders@loranscholar.ca
416.646.2120, x227

OR

Katii Capern
Marketing & Communications Officer, Loran Scholars Foundation
katii.capern@loranscholar.ca
416.646.2120, x233