Gimli’s Olivia Harapiak received her dream 18th birthday gift when she was awarded the $100,000 Loran Scholarship on March 1.
Harapiak, a Grade 12 student at Gimli High School, was hand-picked to receive one of Canada’s most prestigious scholarships based on her academics and extra-curricular activities. She is one of 36 recipients of the award this year, selected from a pool of more than 6,000 applicants, and will receive $100,000 over the course of her university studies.
“I am looking through life with a brand-new pair of glasses,” said Harapiak, whose world has opened wider thanks to Loran.
She will attend the University of Manitoba this fall to begin a bachelor’s degree in psychology before entering the Faculty of Education. The Loran Scholarship has lifted a lot of financial stress off her shoulders so she can focus more on her studies and community involvement.
Harapiak applied for the award in September after her guidance counsellor recommended it as a way to better understand scholarship applications.
Between the initial application and the congratulatory call, Loran hosted a series of interviews for potential recipients. Interviews were conducted both online and in person, in front of the Loran Scholarship selection committee. The final interviews took place in Toronto from Feb. 20 to 23, where 90 finalists gathered over their shared passion for community service. It was there she met the only other Manitoban recipient, Eddy Paez from Niverville.
Harapiak was shopping at Polo Park when she got the call.
“A huge wave of relief and humility passed over me… It was honestly the best birthday gift I could have ever asked for,” she said.
Loran Scholarships are a great starting point for applications, as they ask several thought-provoking questions about community involvement, academics, and students’ long-term goals.
“It was a great way to help me understand myself and why I am committed to all I do,” Harapiak said.
She is an avid volunteer who is also heavily involved in school activities. Every Tuesday, she volunteers at Hidden Treasures Art Studio, teaching kids how to work with different art mediums. Every second day, she spends her spare time as a classroom helper in the Grade 1 class at Sigurbjorg Stefansson Early Years School.
She is president of both the Student Council and Key Club, plays in the school’s jazz orchestra, hosted a Save the Lake Conference, and planted a red maple tree in the school’s courtyard to honour missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.
Her teachers have praised her leadership, character and the positive attitude that underpins her academic success.
Will Schortt, Harapiak’s physics teacher and academic reference for the Loran Scholarship, said she demonstrates an unwavering level of enthusiasm both inside and outside the classroom.
“She is a leader within the school, in the most positive way. She intentionally finds ways to support her friends, and even students in younger grades, as they navigate the challenges of high school life — and life in general.”
Harapiak wants to make a difference in the lives of others, and she values every opportunity to connect with those following in her footsteps.
“I want to push myself to be a spark for those younger kids who can look up to me,” she said, encouraging them to “build connections where we have them and spread our wings.”
She said the scholarship has helped her wings take flight, encouraging her to take on new projects, learn, and share with others. Harapiak is thankful for the many opportunities she’s already experienced as a Loran Scholar, and looks forward to what lies ahead.
