Govind Deol, who was one of five South Asian students from across Canada to win the $100,000 education prize, was selected as a finalist from the 5,194 candidates, “based on evidence of character, commitment to service in the community and leadership potential.” A Grade 12 student at L.A. Matheson Secondary School, Deol is the first student from the high school to make it as a finalist, according to the Surrey school district.

By R. Paul Dhillon

SURREY – A Sikh-Canadian youth from Surrey is among the 36 recipients of the prestigious and lucrative Loran scholarship worth $100,000

Govind Deol along with the 88 finalists traveled to Toronto in early February for final interviews for the national selections for the Loran Award and came away as a winner.

Deol, who works as a cashier, was selected as a finalist from the 5,194 candidates, “based on evidence of character, commitment to service in the community and leadership potential.”

Aside from Deol, four other exceptional South Asian students won the Loran award which gave the $100,000 prize towards their education to total of 36 students from across Canada.

Deol, who founded an after-school basketball program at an elementary school, helps organize a summer camp that keeps youth in his community away from negative influences. 

As a leadership student, Deol organized a fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society. He is a regular volunteer with a local charity, retirement residence, and Surrey Crime Prevention Society. 

A Grade 12 student at L.A. Matheson Secondary School, Deol is the first student from the high school to make it as a finalist, according to the Surrey school district.

Heading to Toronto Thursday (Jan. 30), Deol told the Surrey-Now Leader he was “a little nervous,” but he knows it’s “a great opportunity.”

“It’s a great opportunity. I know that no matter which way it goes it’s an opportunity for me to grow and I’m just optimistic going in,” he said.

If he is one of the lucky recipients of a Loran Award, Deol said he would use the scholarship money to go into sciences.

“What I want to do is I want to start off with sciences and then I want to go to med school hopefully to become a physician,” said Deok, adding that he’s looking into UBC, University of Toronto or McGill University.

The Loran Award is valued up to $100,000 over four years for undergraduate studies in Canada. The Loran Award includes annual stipends, tuition waivers from a partner university, mentorship, summer-internship funding, as well as annual retreats and forums. If not selected as Loran Scholars, they will each be eligible to receive a $5,000 finalist award.

All South Asian Students Receiving The $100,000 Loran Award 2020:

Govind Deol

L.A. Matheson Secondary School

Surrey, British Columbia

Govind founded an after-school basketball program at an elementary school. He helps organize a summer camp that keeps youth in his community away from negative influences. As a leadership student, Govind organized a fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society. He is a regular volunteer with a local charity, retirement residence, and Surrey Crime Prevention Society. He works as a cashier.

Adithi Balaji

École St. Patrick High School

Yellowknife, Northwest Territories

Adithi spearheaded a composting program and organizes climate strikes as a leader of her school Green Team. She is the squadron commander of the Yellowknife Air Cadet squadron and designs set pieces for school theatre productions. Adithi is a participant in a youth community service club and volunteers with the local food bank. She works at the Yellowknife Public Library. 

Alex Parsan

Heart Lake Secondary School

Brampton, Ontario

Alex is vice-president of the student council, a multi-instrumentalist in the school concert band, and founder of the mock trial team. He plays a key role in organizing a yearly inter-school community STEAM event. Outside of school, he’s an active member of his local karate dojo and works as a freelance marketing assistant. 

Dhanishta Ambwani

Leo Hayes High School

Fredericton, New Brunswick

Dhanishta founded and leads the Youth for Youth Art Collective in her community. The collective’s mission is to create and empower a community of youth artists. She leads her school’s Model UN club and initiatives to provide free menstrual products and meals to those in need. Dhanishta volunteers actively at the hospital and was a student intern at NB Power. 

Lavan Balendran

Abelard School

Toronto, Ontario

Lavan founded and continues to develop a local youth lounge, The Underground, with a leadership team he helps facilitate. As a member of his 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 volunteers at computer literacy classes for children.