Eastwood student wins $100K scholarship
Posted Feb 17, 2020 01:30:00 PM.
Maya Linsley, a student from Eastwood Collegiate Institute in Kitchener, is the winner of a Loran Award, valued at $100,000, from the Loran Scholars Foundation.
She is one of 36 students chosen this year for the Loran Award.
“I cried,” said Linsley recalling her initial reaction to the news, “I cried for a good hour, but they were happy tears. “
According to the Loran Scholars Foundation, the Loran Award is comprised of an annual living spend and matching tuition waiver from one of the foundation's 25 partner universities.
After being invited to Toronto for National Selections, Linsley says she participated in six interviews, which lasted from Friday January 31, to Sunday, February 2.
She says participating in National Selections was a fantastic experience.
“It was probably one of the best weekends of my life.”
With 88 other students also interviewing for the same scholarship, Linsley says the process was pretty overwhelming, but she didn't feel nervous.
“The interviewers were very down to earth and made you feel like you were at home, ” said Linsley, recalling the experience, “But it definitely drained my social battery.”
Following her return from Toronto, Linsley says she received a call on Sunday evening, being told that she was one of the chosen recipients.
“It was totally unexpected,” said Linsley, “I guess they just saw something within me that made them think, 'Oh, she would do well within this program.' ”
When it comes to her post-secondary plans, Linsley says she was considering an English Literature program in Victoria, B.C., but after receiving the $100,000 scholarship, she says she is re-assessing her options.
“I was so prepared to be in debt for years,” said Linsley, “It's not something that I can easily wrap my head around.”
Linsley goes on to say any students looking to apply for the Loran Scholars Foundation should just go for it.
“Even if you don't make it to the semi-finals, taking those two hours to reflect upon the things you've done is extremely valuable.” said Linsley.
“I didn't think that I would even make it to the semi-finals, but here I am. It was so worth it.”
