Like many in their first year of university, Telia Lafontaine leads a very busy life — but being busy is something she’s well used to. Growing up in Regina, Telia was the eldest of five children in her family, often helping out with younger siblings while maintaining a full class load and a working a part-time job. A serious family health crisis prompted Telia to consider health care as an area of study, and she’s now a first-year Nursing student at the University of Regina with plans to become a Nurse Practitioner.
In addition to her already full schedule, Telia is a committed volunteer, having dedicated time to several not-for-profits, including St. John Ambulance, the Canadian Wildlife Federation, and Regina Open Door Society, where she and her family have helped Syrian refugee families through their Welcoming Community for Newcomers program.
Winning this scholarship allows me to concentrate on my studies, and stay focussed on my school work. It’s been a huge burden taken off my family’s shoulders. I’m so grateful and honoured to have received it. — Telia Lafontaine, first-year U of R Nursing student.
“It was a little hard at first because the Syrian families didn't know how to speak English and we obviously didn't know how to speak Arabic,” she says. “But over time, we were able to gain a really deep connection with them. We would play games with the kids, teach them English, and help them with their homework. That has been super fulfilling.”
Telia’s commitment to community, volunteerism, and academic excellence has won her the 2023 Inspiring Leadership Academic Entrance Fellowship – a $30,000 four-year scholarship open to women entering the University of Regina directly from high school.
“Winning this scholarship has honestly been life changing,” Telia says. “My family was not in a position to pay for school for five kids, and I always knew I’d have to apply for scholarships or get a job. This allows me to concentrate on my studies, and stay focussed on my school work. It’s been a huge burden taken off my family’s shoulders. I’m so grateful and honoured to have received it.”
Upon graduation, Telia plans to relocate to small-town Saskatchewan to help provide much-needed healthcare support to rural communities.
“A lot of rural communities don't have good access to healthcare options,” Telia says. “I would love to eventually end up in a rural community where I can work as a nurse practitioner and provide that medical care for people who don't have the same access that I have living in a city.”
Banner photo: Telia Lafontaine is the 2023 recipient of the Inspiring leadership Academic Entrance Fellowship. Photo courtesy: University of Regina Communications and Marketing.
About the University of Regina
2024 marks our 50th anniversary as an independent University (although our roots as Regina College date back more than a century!). As we celebrate our past, we work towards a future that is as limitless as the prairie horizon. We support the health and well-being of our 16,700 students and provide them with hands-on learning opportunities to develop career-ready graduates. Our research enterprise has grown to include 21 research centres and 12 Canada Research Chairs and brings in more than $51.2 million in funding annually. Our campuses are on Treaties 4 and 6 - the territories of the nêhiyawak, Anihšināpēk, Dakota, Lakota, and Nakoda peoples, and the homeland of the Michif/Métis nation. We seek to grow our relationships with Indigenous communities to build a more inclusive future.
Let’s go far, together.