Out of 450 applicants across Canada, Ry Lavigne, an Oakville resident and former student at Thomas A. Blakelock High School, has been awarded Wilfrid Laurier University's (WLU) most prestigious entrance scholarship.
The Laurier Scholars Award, an annual $40,000 scholarship, funds tuition and provides experiential learning opportunities such as summer research, international exchanges, and hands-on community projects.
Lavigne, now in their first year of WLU’s bachelor of social work program, expressed gratitude for the welcoming environment on campus.
"The community is so nice," they said. "They’ve been so helpful."
Lavigne’s decision to study social work stems from personal experience. Having grown up in the foster care system, they developed a deep understanding of the challenges faced by children in similar circumstances.
This inspired their goal of working in child protection services to better advocate for vulnerable youth. “As long as I’m helping families, I feel like that’s what I want to get into,” they said.
Now studying in Brantford, where WLU’s campus is located, Lavigne volunteers at Margot’s Place, a nonprofit supporting young mothers. The work aligns closely with their aspirations to make a meaningful impact on families and children.
Beyond education, Lavigne helps families with their volunteer work at Margot's Place, a nonprofit that supports young mothers in Brantford, which is also where Lavigne's campus is located.
Even before university, Lavigne was dedicated to giving back to their community. During the COVID-19 lockdowns, they donated regularly to local food banks and ran errands for a sickly neighbour. Once schools reopened, they joined the library volunteer club, taking on organizing roles for school and library events.
After graduating in 2022, Lavigne took a gap year before applying to post-secondary schools, including WLU, in late 2023.
The Laurier Scholars Award application process, which they began in January 2024, required a 90 percent admission average, a list of extracurricular achievements, a letter of recommendation, and a 700-word personal statement. Finalists also completed a 10-question interview before winners were announced in mid-May.
Though originally from Mississauga, Lavigne moved to Oakville at age 12 and fondly remembers their time at Blakelock despite attending virtually during COVID-19 lockdowns from grades nine to 11. “The teachers were all super kind and sweet, and there were a bunch of clubs that I could help with and volunteer at,” they said.
Receiving the award has been a financial relief for Lavigne, who recognizes the privilege of pursuing higher education without financial strain. “It’s not easy for everyone to come up with how much money it costs to go to Laurier or any university,” they said. “Not everyone who goes to university gets a free ride.”
Looking ahead, Lavigne hopes the scholarship will enable them to focus on their education and future aspirations in social work, particularly in advocating for vulnerable youth and families.