Council and Youth Focus Committee present William Wang with 2026 Youth Scholarship Award
On July 14, 2026, City Council and Youth Focus Committee Chair Veer Dhillon presented Coquitlam resident William Wang, who graduated from Port Moody Secondary School (PMSS) in June, with the 2026 Youth Scholarship Award.
“In his time at PMSS, William has excelled in academic subjects like Physics and French, demonstrated leadership through his participation in a variety of school clubs, and mentored and coached other youth in STEM activities and the sport of fencing,” said Mayor Meghan Lahti. “On behalf of City Council and the Youth Focus Committee, we’re pleased to recognize William for his hard work, his diverse talents and skills, and his efforts to use what he’s learned and share what he’s passionate about to make a difference within his school community and the broader community. The $1,000 Youth Scholarship Award will help William as he begins his next chapter as an engineering student within the Faculty of Applied Science at the University of British Columbia.”
William is a graduate of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program at PMSS. One of his greatest academic achievements was receiving the Top Student Award in IB Physics and French, ranking first among more than 60 students in his grade. He also qualified for the 2025 Canadian Physics Olympiad, placed first at the 2025 Kwantlen Polytechnic University Science Challenge, and placed second at the 2026 University of British Columbia Physics Olympics.
William represented B.C. twice in 2025 at events that celebrate the French language. He participated in the National Ambassador Youth Forum, earning the title of Youth Ambassador and developing his bilingual communication and media skills by spending a year working on projects that promote francophone journalism. In addition, William placed third in B.C. for the Concours d’Art Oratoire, Canada’s largest French public-speaking competition.
Driven by a passion for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) and mentorship, William has dedicated his time to creating opportunities for younger students. Through fundraising initiatives and sponsorship outreach, he helped his school's robotics team raise more than $15,000 through three fundraisers and seven sponsorships and grants, expanding access to robotics and competition opportunities. Whether leading student initiatives, mentoring peers, or volunteering in the community, William is committed to making STEM and extracurricular involvement more accessible to the next generation.
As a student leader, William has taken on numerous leadership roles within courses and clubs at PMSS, including SOAR (a leadership course), Investment Club, Math Club, and Robotics Club. Through Robotics Club, William organized five STEM workshops at four middle schools in School District #43, reaching over 1,000 students. His leadership extends to sport, as William is a fencing coach for youth and also volunteers as a referee at fencing tournaments, helping to support fencing within his community. William has trained in fencing for eight years, progressing from beginner level to instructor.
Each year, the City of Port Moody awards a $1,000 scholarship to a student who intends to pursue post-secondary education after Grade 12. Applicants must have a letter grade average of B or better and demonstrate leadership skills as well as excellence in academics, athletics, arts, or technical education. Learn more about the Youth Scholarship Program: Youth Scholarship Program.