Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m a 17 year old, type 1 diabetic from Smoky Lake, Alberta. I love the outdoors and I’m really interested in how nature adapts to overcome any challenge put in its way, which is why I’m going to be attending UBC Okanagan and major in Biochemistry.
What does this scholarship mean to you?
This scholarship gave me the financial freedom I needed to look into universities across Canada, it allowed me to choose where I wanted to go without having to veto any options due to cost. When I won the award I also felt a sense of pride and relief. Throughout my Loran journey I had lots of people that believed in me, but honestly I was surprised every time I made it to the next level of selection. So when I got the call that I won, I felt like I should have believed in myself more throughout the process, and I felt like I made my community proud. It showed me that I can go far as long as I stay honest to myself and others. Because of Loran I was also introduced to many of the people that will one day change the world for the better, which is why I believe that the future will always be in good hands as long as programs such as Loran and Shad can continue.
What do you hope to do after you graduate, and how do you see yourself contributing to your community?
After I graduate I’m going to attend UBC Okanagan, and plan to focus on biochemistry. But to be completely honest, I’m excited to see the details of what happens after graduation. The last couple of years have shown me that life doesn’t follow the plans you have, so the best thing you can do is try to follow whatever feels real to you, whatever makes you feel like you’re living. In my case, I feel that way when I’m learning, in whatever form that takes, and when I’m helping to build something meaningful. So I don’t really know where I’ll end up, but I know that as long as I’m learning from the experience and helping to make something better, I’ll be happy.
What did you take away from your Shad experience, and did any of those lessons come up during the Loran Scholar selection process?
Shad was incredibly meaningful to me, it showed me that even if I end up across the country in a room full of strangers, I can find a community that feels like home. I met so many incredible people, that I probably would have never met outside of the program. I learned that every stranger has the potential to be an amazing person, and could end up being one of your closest friends. It showed me once again that if your willing to step outside of your comfort zone, start a conversation and just stay optimistic, you can end up in some insanely awesome situations, with absolutely amazing people. So I held onto those beliefs throughout the Loran process, and I will always be happy that I did.
What would you want to say to someone just starting the Shad2026 program
If you just got into Shad, remember that the experience is what you make of it. So try to put yourself out there and talk to everyone. Don’t try to force things, just be open to the opportunity that you’ve been presented with. Shad is an awesome way to learn, not just about the fields that you’re interested in, but also about who you could be. The program isn’t about what you’ve done to get there, it’s more about figuring out what you want to do next.