Vanier College is thrilled to announce that student Yasmine Ben Arous has been named a 2026 Loran Scholar. Now in her second year of Health Science, Yasmine is an active member of the Vanier College Students Association and devoted to community engagement.
Yasmine launched an app that bridges the gap between AI and mental health to prevent student anxiety attacks. She also cofounded a project to recenter health in educational discourse. As a member of the Vanier student association, she is involved with the Rideau Hall Foundation's Ingenious+ youth group and is a national ambassador for the Hydro-Québec Science Fair.
This year, the Loran Scholars Foundation selected 36 exceptional youth from more than 5,400 applicants who have demonstrated they have embraced the challenge of leaving the world better than they found it. As graduating high school and Cégep students, the pursuits and accomplishments of the newest Loran Award recipients are exemplary, but it is their values-driven approach to leading and their dedication to uplifting their communities that distinguish them as Loran Scholars.
"I was in the grocery store when I got the phone call telling me I was a winner. I had no idea I might win and so I was jumping up and down, screaming. I don't think I'll ever be this happy again!" she says. Attending the finals in Toronto was an eye opener for Yasmine. "I learned so much from other semi-finalists who are different from me. There were people into culture, sports, science, the arts and other aspects of society. For instance, it was something to talk with dedicated athletes and discover their passion, hard work and dedication, and their views about well-being and sports. It has made me humble to meet such a variety of outstanding people."
Loran firmly believes empowering values-driven youth is the key to a brighter future for us all. Looking beyond marks, Loran's mission is to find young people with character -- those who display the courage to push boundaries and challenge the status quo, a commitment to service that improves the lives of others, and who have intrinsic leadership potential.
We believe that identifying such promising young people means looking beyond grades to find students with character -- those who show courage by pushing boundaries and challenging the status quo; display a commitment to service that improves the lives of others; and demonstrate intrinsic leadership potential.
Loran Scholars benefit from a four-year, comprehensive leadership-enrichment program, tuition waivers at one of 25 university partners, financial support, and a network of values-driven peers and mentors -- unlike anything else offered in this country.
To learn more about the 2026 Loran Scholars and the Loran Award, visit www.loranscholar.ca.
Congratulations to Yasmine Ben Arous!
