Nanaimo District Secondary student Kayla Okada has been selected as one of 36 youth chosen out of more than 5,400 applications across Canada for a prestigious Loran Scholar Award.
Valued at more than $100,000, selected Loran Scholars benefit from a four-year, comprehensive leadership-enrichment program, tuition waivers at one of 25 Canadian university partners, financial support, and a network of values-driven peers and mentors.
Kayla is the chair and founder of the Teen Book Club at the Nanaimo North public library, a community where teen readers discuss ideas, think critically about books, and bond over a passion for reading. She also captains her club soccer team, volunteers at the Vancouver Island Regional Public Library, and coaches soccer in her community. She also performs in community and school musicals. Kayla has accepted an offer to attend UBC’s Applied Science (Engineering) program this fall.
“I am incredibly excited and grateful for this opportunity,” said Okada. “I also want to acknowledge the people in my life who have taught me, supported me, and believed in me: my family, friends, teammates, teachers, and mentors. I would not be who I am without them.”
Kayla is the second NLPS student in two years to be selected as a Loran Scholar. Last year, Rocky Sloan from Dover Bay Secondary was also selected for the prestigious award.
The Loran Scholarship program looks for applicants who show courage by pushing boundaries and challenging the status quo; display a commitment to service that improves the lives of others; and demonstrate intrinsic leadership potential.
To learn more about the Loran Award, visit www.loranscholar.ca.
