Calgary teen tours Belgium and France after being selected for Beaverbrook Vimy Prize

A Calgary teen is back from a trip to Europe visiting historic sites where Canadian soldiers fought in the First and Second World Wars.

A Calgary teen was one of 16 from across the world selected to participate in a 10-day educational program that took them to Belgium and France.

The Beaverbrook Vimy Prize, offered by The Vimy Foundation, gives a small number of teens aged 15 to 17 from Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom the chance to tour historically significant sites, museums, cemeteries and battlefields from the First and Second World War.

Grade 12 student Louise Ogbinar, 17, was one of 14 participants from Canada selected to go on the all-expenses-paid trip.

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Speaking to CTV News, Ogbinar says the application process involved several essays.

“I also had to submit a personal reflection video, a resume and a letter of recommendation,” she said. “If you want to learn more about the First World War – apply. If you want to make a better world – apply. There’s so many places to see, things to learn and people to meet – and this program has expanded my world view to great lengths.”

Ogbinar says the program is about preserving and promoting Canada’s legacy in WWI at the battle of Vimy Ridge.

“It’s where we as a nation emerged,” she said. “We were in the underground tunnels of Vimy Ridge, there were almost 15,000 soldiers in those tunnels before the military engagement – and it was tough seeing those tunnels, seeing the living conditions … And just putting ourselves into (the young Canadian soldiers’) shoes.”

Ogbinar says the tour included a trip to the Tyne Cot Cemetery in Belgium, the largest Commonwealth cemetery in the world, with 11,968 burials.

“Just sitting and staring at the sea of graves, it was tough,” she said. “It’s tough being in these areas, but it’s important to see them too. It’s important to remember that these are not just names, these are not just numbers; these are soldiers, these are families that were impacted by the First and Second World War. It’s important to remember that.”

Ogbinar moved to Canada from the Philippines when she was three years old.

Her mother Marilou Ogbinar says many from her village fought with the Americans in WWII, including her grandfather, who was killed in action.

“He never saw my mother, so I am like the second generation from him,” she said. “We have a project with Louise now that back home we will do something for her great grandfather, and other veterans in our village, in our hamlet who are forgotten, only remembered by families – which should not be the case; everybody should at least remember them.”

Marilou is proud of her daughter who worked hard to go on the trip.

“It’s a privilege for her to go,” she said. “It’s been three years in the making for her to actually get into the program.”

Louise says when she graduates from Bishop O’Byrne High School, she wants to get into nursing.

“I believe in creating a better world,” she said.