Loran Scholars Foundation has announced Wasif of Bassano as 2026 Loran Award recipient

“Even when I doubted myself, they never let me. They were like, ‘No, you can do this. We believe in you,” she added.

“When someone stops you at the post office and says, ‘Are you the girl with the scholarship?’ It really made a sense of belonging.”

The recipients of the award receive more than $100,000 over a four-year period to support their undergraduate studies.

The award provides students with more than just financial support; scholars also participate in mentorship opportunities, leadership development programming, retreats, and a national network of fellow students and alumni throughout their university years.

Wasif said one of the aspects she is most looking forward to is the sense of connection that comes with the program.

“For the next four years, we stay connected through retreats, workshops, and mentorship,” Wasif said.

“You build friendships before even arriving on campus, and you always have people there to support you.”

This fall, Wasif will attend the University of Calgary to study biomedical sciences, with plans to eventually pursue medical school.

Wasif said her long-term goal is to work in rural medicine and support many communities similar to the one she grew up in.

“I want to use healthcare and leadership to advocate for people in smaller communities and make sure they are looked after,” Wasif said.

Throughout the Loran selection process, Wasif said she often reflected on how different her experience was from many of the other finalists.

Coming from a smaller rural school, she initially questioned whether she belonged alongside students from larger urban centres.

“Realizing that where you come from does not limit what you can achieve, even from a small school and a rural town, you can still accomplish things like this,” Wasif said

She also said the experience encouraged her to step outside of her comfort zone and take on opportunities she may not have considered before.

“If you told my younger self I would be flying to Toronto for interviews and meeting all these people, I wouldn’t have believed it,” Wasif said.

“Trying new things and not being afraid of failure became a huge part of this experience.”

Wasif credited much of her success to the encouragement she received from her teachers, family, and the broader community throughout the process, saying it has been overwhelming in the best way.

“When people stop you in town to congratulate you, it really makes you feel supported. Even though I’ve only been in Bassano for four years, it truly feels like home.”

As she prepares to graduate and move into the next stage of her education, Wasif said she hopes younger students can see her journey as proof that opportunities are possible regardless of where they come from.

“You don’t have to come from a big city, if you work hard, stay involved, and keep going even when things get difficult, there are so many opportunities out there,” Wasif said.

“I’m very thankful for all of the support I’ve received, and I hope to make everyone proud moving forward.”

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READ: Bassano high-school student Wasif has been selected as a 2026 Loran Finalist

by Jett Schwaier

Loran Scholars Foundation has announced Wasif of Bassano as 2026 Loran Award recipient

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