Lauren Wiebe is one of 70 finalists for a Loran Scholarship.

If all goes well for Niverville Collegiate Institute's Lauren Wiebe, she won't have to worry about the cost of tuition for university.

Wiebe is one of 70 finalists for a Loran Scholarship, which gives out 30 scholarships worth up to $100,000 every year. The Loran Scholarship process starts by selecting 150 candidates from approximately 3,700 applications. Those candidates, which are selected from across Canada, then take part in an interviewing process in their region which consists of a one-on-one interview with five different judges, and then one more with all of them present in a panel. The top 70 are then selected to move on from that point, which is where Wiebe is now.

"I'm really surprised," she describes. "I was not expecting it whatsoever, because I knew everyone who had been sponsored for this scholarship had accomplished lots of things. So just to make it to the first round, let alone the final round, I feel pretty honoured."

The final interviews will be conducted in Toronto in February, which will result in the top 30 being selected. Those who aren't chosen won't be going home empty-handed though as they will still receive a $3,000 scholarship.

"I'm really excited, all around it's just a positive experience whether I make the top 30 or not," Wiebe describes of her anticipation for February's interviews. "I feel like having such an intense interview process can only help me out in whatever I decide to do in my future. I also get to meet new people, I get a trip to Toronto and either way I've won a bit of money, so that's helpful. It's just a positive thing, there's no negative involved from here on."

Wiebe was nominated for the scholarship by NCI administration, where she has left quite an impression. Vice-Principal Craig Cumming explains they were looking for students who display not only academic success, but are involved in athletics and the community.

"She's one of our Co-Presidents on Student Council," Cumming describes of Wiebe. "She's been a member of Student Council for quite a few years, she's part of our SWAT, Students Working Against Tobacco, she has been actively involved in athletics, and she's one of those individuals who is a natural leader."

After graduating, Wiebe plans to attend the University of British Columbia and study science with the goal of getting into med school. She is one of two finalists from Manitoba for the Loran Scholarship, and was one of 10 Manitobans selected amongst the 150 candidates. Todd Rekrut of Green Valley School in Grunthal was also selected as one of the 150 candidates, giving Hanover School Division 20% of the province's representation, although he wasn't selected as a finalist.

While Wiebe is certainly hoping she is selected as one of the finalists, she is approaching it with a positive attitude; regardless of how it turns out, the experience alone will be a great tool she can use in the future.