When Nathan Froebe, a Grade 12 student at Carman Collegiate in Carman, Manitoba (not too far from our home town of Altona), got a phone call from a Toronto number, he almost didn’t answer. Like many of us, he assumed it might be spam. Instead, it turned out to be one of those once-in-a-lifetime calls…the kind that instantly changes your path forward.
Nathan had just been named a Loran Scholar, placing him among only three Manitoba recipients this year. For Carman Collegiate, a proud Friesens Yearbooks school, it’s a moment worth celebrating…and a story worth sharing.
WHAT IS THE LORAN SCHOLARSHIP?
Often described as one of Canada’s most comprehensive undergraduate awards, the Loran Awards go far beyond financial support. Offered through the Loran Scholars Foundation in partnership with 25 Canadian universities, the award is valued at over $100,000 over four years and supports students through a combination of financial assistance, a four-year leadership enrichment program, one-on-one mentorship, experiential learning opportunities in Canada and abroad, and access to a national community of values-driven peers and alumni, recognizing character, service, and leadership potential, not just strong grades.
AN OPPORTUNITY HE NEVER EXPECTED
Going into the application process, Nathan said he didn’t expect much beyond the experience itself. A free trip to Toronto? The chance to meet interesting people? That alone felt like a win from someone from Homewood, Manitoba, an unincorporated community of about 60 people an hour southwest of the capital city of Winnipeg.
What he found instead was a national community of students from across Canada…people with vastly different backgrounds, interests, experiences, and life stories, all brought together by a shared commitment to leadership, service, and character.
“It completely blew my expectations,” he said, “Meeting people from all walks of life, from all over the country…it was incredible.”
MORE THAN MARKS ON A REPORT CARD
Unlike many scholarships, the Loran Awards aren’t focuses on grades. Instead, it takes a deep dive into who applicants are as people, taking into account their values, goals, motivations, and sense of purpose.
Nathan describes the application as both challenging and grounding. It forced him to pause and reflect on questions that don’t always come up in everyday school life: what do I stand for? What kind of impact do I want to make? Where do I want my life to go?
“That process alone was worth it,” he says. “It makes you look in the mirror and ask where you want your life to go. Whether you move on or not, it really pushes you toward self-growth.”
ONE STEP AT A TIME
The path to becoming a Loran Scholar isn’t simple. After the initial application came a timed video interview, followed by regional semi-finals with students across Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Each step felt intimidating, and at every stage, Nathan was convinced he wouldn’t move on.
And yet, he did.
When the invitation to nationals arrived, it meant travelling to Mississauga for interviews and group activities with some of the most driven youth in in the country. What stood out most wasn’t competition, but connection.
“Every single person I talked to was passionate about something,” Nathan said. “Agriculture, engineering, medicine, music…everyone had something that lit them up.”
A CALL HE’LL NEVER FORGET
The final call came during a hockey tournament weekend, right after Nathan’s team had won their semi-final game and secured a spot in the provincial final. Packing up with his teammates, his phone rang and he got the news…he was one of the newest cohort of Loran Scholars.
“I was honestly at a loss for words,” he said. “I wasn’t expecting it at all.”
What followed was a rush of gratitude….for his parents, grandparents, teachers, coaches, and mentors…and a growing excitement about what lay ahead.
LOOKING FORWARD
Nathan plans to attend the University of Guelph, where he’s considering studying crop science or agribusiness. Coming from a multi-generation farming background, sustainability is a major focus for him.
“I want to leave the soil in a better place for the next generation,” he said.
Through the Loran program, Nathan will take part in structured summer learning experiences over the next three years and receive ongoing mentorship…support he says takers a huge amount of pressure off as he prepares for university.
ADVICE FOR FUTURE STUDENTS
For students who might be on the fence about applying, Nathan didn’t hesitate.
“Absolutely do it,” he said. “Even if you don’t move on, the process itself is worth it. It helps you understand why you’re passionate about the things you care about, and that’s powerful.”
He also emphasizes the value of surrounding yourself with people who challenge and inspire you.
“I believe in being the dumbest person in the room.” He laughed. “Just listening, learning, and growing.”
A STORY WORTH REMEMBERING
We at Friesens know that yearbooks are more than just photos and captions…they’re about capturing moments that matter. Nathan’s Loran Scholarship is a reminder of the impact schools, peers, educators, and communities have in shaping futures.
Congratulations Nathan and the entire Carman Collegiate community. This is one achievement that truly deserves a place in the yearbook.
To learn more about the Loran Scholars program, and to see the full list of winners, visit the Loran Scholars website.
