Two Vancouver students were among just 33 from around Canada selected to receive prestigious Loran scholarships worth an estimated $100,000 each.

King George Secondary student Dawn Avery (pictured, top) and Killarney Secondary student Kaitlin Wong (pictured, below) are excited at the opportunities the scholarship will open up for them and thankful to the communities that helped nurture them.

The Loran Scholars Foundation says it looks to a student's character as an indicator of overall potential and Wong, a former Carleton Elementary student, said her teachers, friends and school administrators at elementary and secondary level helped her develop the character that made her a Loran Scholar.

"I think it's an indication that the community I was raised in did me well," said Wong. "I don't think of it as my award, I would say it's the community's award."

Although Wong has yet to finalize her choice of university, she is looking at study International Development at McGill University in Montreal with an eye to a future career as a United Nations legal officer. Wong is captain of her school's field hockey team. She is also a member of the Model United Nations, Vancouver District Students' Council, and her school's Empower club.

McGill University is the destination for Avery, who is excited as a dancer, bass player and lover of jazz by the prospect of heading to such a rich, vibrant, and creative city.

"When I got the call telling me I was a Loran Scholar, it felt like my whole future opened up in about three seconds," said Avery, who is planning to study English and Art History.

"The Loran Scholarship is really about strength of character, and I am thankful to so many people for recognizing that character in me: my wonderful friends, my amazing single mom, and the dedicated teachers at my school King George," she added. "I am looking forward to this new chapter in my life, but will carry with me the love and support of my community."