The sky’s the limit

Windsor Park

Sage Creek

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 12/04/2023 (1146 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It’s fair to say the future looks bright for Ridhwanlai Badmos.

The Grade 12 Windsor Park Collegiate student is one of two students from a Manitoba school to be recognized by the Loran Scholarship Foundation this year — along with 34 other finalists across the country — and be named a prestigious 2023 Loran Scholar.

The other Manitoban is Cadena Brazeau from Keeseekoowenin First Nation, who attends Strathclair Community School in Strathclair, Man.

According to a news release, candidates are selected, in part, for their “values-driven approach to leading and dedication to uplifting their communities that distinguish them as Loran Scholars.”

“These students participated in an in-depth, nationwide selection process carried out through the work of hundreds of volunteer assessors and interviewers. We look for qualities that grades alone cannot show: a breadth of interests, and deep commitment to service, the courage to make difficult decisions, and the determination to work towards long-term goals,” the release states.

Badmos, 18, is the founder of Wake-Up Mental Health, a non-profit organization that offers workshops in support of mental well-being. He is also the co-chair of his school’s student council, and the founder of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion council. He enjoys taking part in volleyball, basketball, badminton and track, and he also volunteers in the community.

On the subject of community, Badmos said he’s been honoured and privileged to be part of the Loran Scholarship Foundation community.

“One of the main reasons I applied was that I heard there was a community every step of the way,” Badmos said.

“During every step of the process, I felt like I was meeting new people, and at the finals in Toronto, I was able to meet 89 other leaders. We talked about the things that we’ve done and that we want to do.”

“ This means I’ll have the ability to graduate university debt-free…

The Sage Creek resident found out he’d been recognized as a Loran Scholar on March 4, and as the significance of what it means began to sink in, Badmos said it was a surreal feeling.

Logistically, what the award means is that the teen will “benefit from a four-year, comprehensive leadership-enrichment program, tuition waivers and financial support, and a network of values-driven peers and mentors — unlike anything else offered in this country,” officials say.

“This means I’ll have the ability to graduate university debt-free, and I’ll be able to focus on my leadership skills and build something at university and foster something helpful for people. I’m really looking forward to it,” Badmos said.

As of April 3, he was considering offers from University of British Columbia and the University of Toronto, but hadn’t made a final decision.

Carla Allan, a career internship teacher at Windsor Park Collegiate and one of Badmos’ mentors, said it’s exciting news for everyone involved, not least because it’s the first time the southeast Winnipeg-based school has had a Loran Scholar finalist. Other scholarship applications for Badmos are also in the works, although the outcomes of these applications were pending at press time.

“A big piece is that Ridhwanlai has worked with students through the years. It’s very exciting, as this a very prestigious scholarship,” Allan said. “We’re a mid-range high school, and schools like Windsor Park Collegiate allow our students to shine.”

At the start of this year’s selection process, the foundation received nearly 4,800 applications from across the nation.