Hector Loiselle of Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School named prestigious Loran Scholar

Hector Loiselle of Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School is Rainbow District School Board’s newest Loran Scholar. He is among 36 students from across Canada to earn a 2026 Loran Award – the largest undergraduate merit scholarship in Canada.

“On behalf of Rainbow District School Board, I extend sincere congratulations to Hector Loiselle for this truly exceptional achievement,” said Board Chair David Farrow. “With his deep dedication to character, service and leadership, Hector exemplifies what it means to be a Loran Scholar.” He added: “With this award, Hector is well on his way to making his dreams become a reality. We wish him the very best as he pursues his post-secondary studies and career goals.”

The Loran Award is a comprehensive four-year enrichment program that offers an annual living stipend, summer work experiences, mentorship, scholar gatherings, and a tuition waiver at one of 25 university partners.

“We are very proud of Hector Loiselle for having been selected from among 5,400 applicants from across Canada,” said Director of Education Bruce Bourget. “Equally remarkable is being awarded a scholarship exceeding $100,000 to support his post-secondary education. We are so pleased to celebrate Hector Loiselle’s tremendous success made possible through his academic rigour and engagement in a wide range of extracurricular activities.”

After graduating from Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School this June, Hector Loiselle plans to pursue studies in the Integrated Biomedical Engineering & Health Sciences (iBiomed) program at McMaster University.

“The iBiomed program piqued my interest as it combines both engineering and health science in a very hands-on and collaborative way,” said Hector Loiselle. “Graduating from this program leaves many doors open as I aim to pursue engineering or a field in the medical industry.”

“In selecting Loran Scholars, we look beyond marks to find students who show strength of character, a commitment to service, and the promise of leadership to ultimately identify and nurture the young people that have the capacity to become Canada’s next generation of values-driven leaders,” said CEO Meghan Moore of the Loran Scholars Foundation.

She added: “We know that such promising young people have the power to change the future for the better, they just need a launchpad and opportunities to grow. This is precisely what we offer Loran Scholars – an enrichment program of leadership development and diverse learning experiences that equip them to create positive change over the course of their lifetimes.”

“Being named a Loran Scholar is a testament to Hector’s academic excellence, character, integrity and commitment to making a meaningful difference in the world,” said Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School Principal Pam Potvin. “Hector embodies the very best of what it means to lead with purpose, and we can’t wait to see the positive impact he will continue to make.”

Hector believes that true success comes from finding genuine joy in the journey, rather than focusing solely on the end result. “By valuing the journey, every experience becomes meaningful, and that’s something I try to apply in my daily life by paying attention to small lessons, staying present, and measuring success by how much I’ve learned and grown along the way.”

Hector Loiselle is a national power tumbling champion and has been a member of the GymZone Sudbury Laurels for almost a decade. Hector represented Team Canada in the World Age Group Gymnastics Championships in Bulgaria in 2022 and England in 2023. He also claimed gold at the national championships in Edmonton in 2023. For the past four years, Hector has enjoyed sharing his passion for gymnastics by coaching at the recreational level.

A dedicated athlete, Hector has also been a member of the Lo-Ellen Park Nordic Ski Team, attending the OFSAA Championships in 2023 and 2024.

Hector is actively involved in his school and school community. As the proud Vice-President of the Lo-Ellen Park Student Council, he organizes and leads initiatives that contribute to a positive and welcoming learning environment for his peers. He plays trumpet in the school band and has been active in the school’s Robotics Team including FIRST Tech Challenges and FIRST Robotics competitions. Hector also enjoys enriching future generations by tutoring children ages three to 15 in developing their math and literacy skills.

“There aren’t words strong enough to describe the gratitude and excitement I feel for being given this honour,” said Hector Loiselle. “It’s incredibly meaningful to know that the Loran Scholars Foundation recognizes the work I’ve done and believes in my potential to make an even greater impact in the future.”

He adds: “I express heartfelt gratitude to my family for their constant encouragement, and to my friends for standing by me through challenging moments. I am especially thankful to my guidance counselor Alison Gomm, and my gymnastics coaches, Ali Ainslie and Brent Farnsworth, for being inspiring role models. I also appreciate my communities at GymZone and LVX Gymnastics, and my boss, Rita Bareh-Gergis, for their ongoing support.”

Founded in 1988, the Loran Scholars Foundation has provided more than $62 million in undergraduate awards to some 3,200 promising secondary students. Alumni of the program form a diverse ecosystem of purpose-driven leaders pushing boundaries across an array of industries, from law and science to finance and art.

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Media Contact:

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