FALL RIVER: On a rainy Saturday morning inside a local coffee shop, Anna Brozek was still taking in the magnitude of what had just happened.
“It means everything,” she said, recalling the moment she received the call.
“It’s such a life-changing thing… I don’t have to worry about paying for tuition or living expenses. I get to just focus on school and the experience.”
Brozek, a Fall River resident and Lockview High student, has been named a recipient of the prestigious Loran Award—one of just 36 awarded across Canada each year by the Loran Scholars Foundation.
She is one of only three students in Nova Scotia to receive the honour this year, alongside recipients from Middleton Regional High School and Sackville High. There were approximately six or seven finalists from the province.
More than 5,400 applied, and it is narrowed to 90 finalists before the 36 recipients are selected nationally. The recipients attend 25 partner universities.
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Valued at up to $100,000 over four years, the Loran Award provides a unique mix of financial support and experiential learning. It includes annual tuition and living stipends, funding for summer work experiences, mentorship, and participation in scholar gatherings.
For Brozek, the financial relief is just part of the story.
“It’s more than just the money,” she said. “It’s the experience, meeting other scholars, building connections, and getting opportunities like travelling and learning outside the classroom.”
The scholarship will allow her to move away from home, live on campus, and fully immerse herself in university life without the burden of financial stress.
Brozek plans to study Community Design at Dalhousie University, a program closely aligned with urban planning.
Her interest stems from a desire to improve how communities are built and function.
“I’ve always been interested in making communities better,” she explained. “I want to understand why certain planning decisions are made—and how we can make better ones.”
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She said her passion lies at the intersection of environmental and social impact, particularly in addressing challenges like climate change through thoughtful urban development.
Founded in 1988, the Loran Scholars Foundation looks beyond academic achievement, selecting students who demonstrate character, leadership, and a deep commitment to service.
She also pointed to her friends as positive influences, noting that many are achieving their own successes.
Brozek had her sights set on the award for years.
“I’ve known about it since Grade 10,” she said.
“It was always a dream to win a big scholarship like this.”
She was among 90 finalists invited to national interviews in Ontario, where she connected with peers from across the country—many of whom she remains in touch with.
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Brozek credits her success to the support system around her, particularly her family.
“My mom always told me that the work I was doing in my community would pay for my education,” she said.
“If you get good grades it would pay off.
“That really stuck with me—and it paid off.”
With graduation approaching and orientation activities—including an outdoor trip with fellow scholars—on the horizon, Brozek is eagerly counting down the days.
“I’m excited for August for the trip to meet all the scholars and then have a week break before moving into residence,” she said.