A Fort McMurray student is one of 29 across the country receiving a prestigious scholarship.

Tanisha Kadia is receiving $100,000 through the Loran Scholars Foundation which provides funds to young individuals who they believe demonstrate strong character, service, and leadership potential.

The 17-year-old is currently a grade 12 student at École McTavish and has made a name for herself in the community through the Mayor’s Advisory Council On Youth, writing for YMM Parent magazine, and more.

“I am excited to share this news with everyone who has supported me,” said Kadia. “I owe much of who I am to this great region so I hope to make my community proud.”

Kadia was one of 6,000 students who applied for the scholarship.

For École McTavish’s Principal Scott Barr, it wasn’t a surprise she was chosen.

“This prestigious award is an amazing accomplishment for Tanisha and recognizes her as the well-rounded student she is,” he noted.

“Whether acting as a lead in one of our productions, being in honour band, earning excellent marks, developing environmental programming at the school and so much more, Tanisha is a change agent.”

The scholarship will be given out over four years of undergraduate studies.

Kadia says she’s currently deciding whether to study neuroscience at the University of Alberta, University of British Columbia, or University of Toronto.