Tristan Emiry of Espanola High School wins prestigious Loran Award

A student from Rainbow Schools has won a prestigious Loran Award, the largest undergraduate merit scholarship in Canada. Tristan Emiry will receive up to $80,000 to pursue his postsecondary studies when he graduates from Espanola High School in June. A Loran Award includes four years of funding for undergraduate studies and a comprehensive enrichment and mentoring program.

Tristan Emiry is one of 30 students from across Canada to receive a Loran Award this year. The Canadian Merit Scholarship Foundation grants Loran Awards to talented young Canadians on the basis of character, service and leadership potential.

“On behalf of Rainbow District School Board, I would like to commend Tristan Emiry for his outstanding achievement,” said Board Chair Doreen Dewar. “Tristan Emiry has demonstrated that he exemplifies the qualities of a Loran Scholar. He has a firm commitment to character, service and leadership. He not only excels academically, he also participates in many extra-curricular activities, often in a leadership role.”

Tristan Emiry has been Prime Minister of the Student Parliament at Espanola High School for the past two years. He was Deputy Prime Minister in Grade 10. As Prime Minister, he spearheaded the Spread the Net campaign at Espanola High School, with impressive results.

Espanola High School was featured on the Rick Mercer Show as the top fundraising high school in Canada last year. The school nearly tripled its donations this year, raising over $31,000 for bednets to help protect children in Africa from malaria. Tristan was at the taping of the Rick Mercer Report on Friday, March 30th and was named as the first ever Youth Ambassador for Spread the Net.  He will be working alongside Hayley Wickenheiser, Seamus O’Regan and other celebrities.

An all-round student, Tristan Emiry is a member of the basketball, cross-country, curling, track, and soccer teams at Espanola High School. He qualified for OFSAA cross-country in 2008, 2009 and 2011 and was a member of the senior boys’ basketball team that qualified for OFSAA in 2011. He is also on the Espanola High School Reach for the Top team, which was this year’s Sudbury District Champions. In addition, he is a leader in his local 4-H Club and an accomplished pianist.

“I am very excited to have won the award and I am extremely grateful for all the opportunities I have been given at Espanola High School,” said Tristan Emiry. “It’s an incredible school and I will really miss being a Spartan.” Tristan plans to study Economics at McGill University or Agricultural Economics or Animal Science at the University of Guelph.

“One graduating student told me last year that if Tristan gave us all a spoon and asked us to dig a hole, our only response would be how deep,” says Espanola High School Principal Marty Punkari. “Tristan has earned our respect and deepest admiration. We are proud of his many accomplishments and the leadership that he has provided at Espanola High School. He is certainly deserving of the Loran Award. We wish him well as he pursues his postsecondary studies.”

Founded in 1988, The Canadian Merit Scholarship Foundation was the first national organization in Canada to grant scholarships based on a mix of academic achievement, extracurricular activity and leadership potential. The Foundation identifies and supports talented students who show promise of leadership and a strong commitment to service in the community.

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Media Contact:

Nicole Charette, Senior Advisor,
Corporate Communications and Strategic Planning,
Rainbow District School Board, 705-674-3171, ext. 7217.