Brampton Centennial Secondary School student Sheiry Dhillon is a finalist for one of the country's most prestigious scholarships.

The Loran Award is regarded as the largest undergraduate merit scholarship in the country.

Renewable for up to four years, the scholarship is worth up to $75,000 to each student.

About 3,800 students from across the country were initially nominated for this year's awards.

Dhillon is one of the 76 finalists selected for interviews. No more than 30 high school students will be offered the scholarship awarded on the basis of character, community service, high academic standing and leadership potential.

Dhillon co-founded the Saffron Foundation in response to the tsunami that devastated Southeast Asia in 2004. She was 14-years-old at the time. As she watched the devastation on television, the teenager felt an overwhelming connection to the children affected and wanted to help. The foundation, established with family, friends and members of the community, was created to offer financial aid.

The annual Saffron Ball has since raised $10,000 for an orphanage in India.

She has traveled to Uganda as part of the Canadian Africa Soccer Friendship Association to work with underprivileged children in a war-torn region of the country. The teenager returned with a clearer understanding of how fortunate she is and a desire to use resources at her disposal to help the less fortunate. She feels a responsibility to make a difference in her community and world so others have the type of opportunities she enjoys.

The Grade 12 student also helped start a Breakfast Club that feeds about 40-50 students at her high school.

The 18-year-old has also served as president of the Ontario Chapter of DECA, the non-profit organization created to enhance the business education of high school students, while still finding time to captain the school soccer and volleyball teams.

Next year, she is hoping to attend the University of Western to study science and business.