Cameron Carter, a student at St. John Brebeuf Regional Secondary in Abbotsford, has been named a finalist for the Loran Award – Canada's most comprehensive undergraduate scholarship for character, service and leadership.
More than 4,400 students applied for the award this year, and 84 were selected as finalists. Seventeen of the 84 are from B.C.
Cameron was nominated by his school and already went through regional interviews in Vancouver in late November.
He will attend the Loran Scholars Foundation's national selections in Toronto on Feb. 3 and 4, after which 32 Loran scholars will be named.
Cameron has served meals to the homeless for three years and coaches Special Olympics swim athletes.
He is a national polo champion who led the provincial team and volunteered as a coach.
Cameron also runs cross-country and works part-time.
He is the first student from his school to advance to this level, although there have been several Loran scholars from Abbotsford over the years, most recently in 2013 (Sebastian Muermann).
The Loran Award is valued at $100,000 over four years, including a $10,000 annual stipend, tuition waivers from one of 25 Canadian universities, mentorship, summer internship funding, an orientation expedition through Algonquin Park, and annual retreats and forums.
If not selected, every finalist is eligible to receive a $3,000 finalist award.
The award is presented to young Canadians who demonstrate character, service and leadership potential.