CANMORE – Theatre loving, Canmore-raised Kim Lefort is “grateful” to be a finalist in one of the largest undergraduate awards in Canada.
“I did not expect it,” Lefort exclaimed. “About 5,000 people apply each year and when I applied I did not think I would get in. Not because I don’t deserve it, but it is just a small probability.
“It is so amazing and I’m just so excited.”
Currently finishing her high school at United World Colleges (UWC) Atlantic College in the U.K., the 18-year-old made it to the top 88 out of 5,089 candidates for the national Loran Award, valued at approximately $100,000 over four years.
“I was looking to apply for university, and of course it cost a lot of money, so I found this award and talked to my guidance counsellor about it and he told me to go for it,” she said.
Preparing her application last year, Lefort wrote a couple of essays and listed extracurricular activities and important leadership positions, for which she had no shortage of.
Last year, Lefort was a leader at the 2018 Feminist Conference at UWC Atlantic College, and the year before, the Camorite organized a peace march in Cardiff, U.K. to bring awareness to the Rohingya crisis, where Rohingyas are fleeing the nation of Myanmar to escape destruction of their homes and persecution.
The teen was passionate as she spoke about the march, calling the situation “ethnic cleansing” while noting the crisis was still happening.
During her early high school years in Canmore, the young activist was also known for helping with festivities at École Notre-Dame-des-Monts, and volunteering at artsPlace.
“My ultimate goal is to be a diplomat, in Foreign Service or Foreign Affairs Canada, working with International Relations, and figure out how to use diversity to help us,” Lefort said.
Graduating this year, the teen’s top three picks for post-secondary schooling include University of Ottawa, McGill University and the University of British Columbia, where she plans to study international relations or politics.
Lefort said her inspiration to help and connect people stems from the acknowledgment of her “privileged background.”
“My family is very supportive. I’ve always been surrounded with love, but I’m also aware that is not the case with everyone,” Lefort said.
The sense of community and connection is something Lefort learned while living in Canmore.
“I really like that Canmore is a community. When I walk down the street or am hiking with my dog, people are friendly and still say ‘hi’ and smile – that is not something you find everywhere,” Lefort said.
A spokesperson for the Loran Scholar Foundation said the teen was shortlisted for her “evidence of character, commitment to service, and leadership potential.”
“It is just common sense and common humanity to help your neighbours and help others,” the Canmore teen said.
National Selections for the Loran Award take place Feb. 1-2 in Toronto, where the foundation will grant 34 Loran Awards, which includes annual stipends, tuition waivers from partner universities, mentorship, summer-internship funding, as well as annual retreats and forums.
