2024 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Myra Emblau is a 2024 graduate from Holy Trinity Catholic High School. Myra will be studying for a Bachelor of Kinesiology degree at the University of British Columbia. Myra is celebrated for her academic and athletic achievements. She has been involved in a multi-sport lifestyle that includes varsity volleyball, basketball, track and field, soccer, cheerleading, and dance. Additionally, Myra participated in competitive gymnastics for 10 years and was a member of the U18 Fort McMurray Elite Basketball team. Myra has been involved with the RMWB Mayor’s Advisory Council on Youth, Holy Trinity Student Council, Fort McMurray Soup Kitchen, Adopt a Trail community clean up and the Northern Lights Health Foundation Festival of Trees. School administrators celebrate Myra’s leadership qualities, determination, and resilience.
Onyinyechi Okoro is a 2024 Westwood Community High School graduate and has been accepted to the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Alberta. She demonstrates high intrinsic motivation and consistently achieves academic honours. Onyi has remained committed to achieving athletic excellence in high school volleyball and the track and field events of 100m, long jump, and triple jump. School administrators admire her leadership skills and compassion as the captain of the senior girls volleyball team. Onyi is described as confident and humble possessing strong interpersonal decision-making skills. She is an active member of student life at Westwood and supported the growth and development of Westwood’s Black Student Union.
Andres Troconis completed grade twelve at Holy Trinity Catholic High School. In the Fall of 2024, he will attend the University of Alberta and begin study in the Bachelor of Engineering Program. Andres is a multidisciplinary student achieving excellence in the arts, athletics, and academics. He is first chair with the Senior Concert and Jazz Bands and is part of the premiere Alberta Wind Symphony. Andres is described as an outstanding academic performer who maintains honours with distinction. He has participated in badminton, football, track and field, and cross country school sports representing Holy Trinity at zones and placing third in badminton doubles. Andres has been involved in school student council and has been appointed to the leadership role of Flight Commander with the 868 Air Cadets program. He is respected for his demonstrated leadership and desire to achieve excellence.
Anna Zhang is a 2024 Westwood Community High School graduate and is planning to initiate a Bachelor of Engineering degree at the University of British Columbia. Anna has achieved academic excellence earning honours with distinction and a top 25% placement in the Waterloo Fermat Competition. She has played competitive soccer and futsal, competing at the Alberta Summer Games and internationally at the 2023 Gothia Cup in Sweden with soccer and the Alberta Winter Games and 2023 Arctic Games with futsal. Anna earned the Most Valuable Athlete Award in 2022-2023 from her participation and success in varsity volleyball, basketball, badminton, and soccer. She has volunteered her time as a peer tutor and at YMCA summer day camps while maintaining part-time employment. Anna is described by teachers as motivated, determined, and able to effect positive change.
2023 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Taylor Breen is a 2023 graduate from Holy Trinity Catholic High School. Taylor has been accepted to MacEwan University to begin her Bachelor of Science and work towards applying to Pharmacy to complete a PharmD degree. Taylor is described as a highly motivated individual committed to achieving high academic standards while balancing a multi-sport lifestyle that includes ice hockey, baseball, school basketball, volleyball, as well as, track and field. She is an elite athlete and has received awards for her demonstrated integrity, work ethic, and leadership. Coaches highlighted Taylors infectious joy for life that draws others to her. She is deliberate with her goal setting and is driven to improve on any limitations. She has also been selected to attend the U18 Female Elite Hockey Alberta Summer Development session.
Dakota Morin is a 2023 Father Patrick Mercredi Community High School graduate and has been accepted to the University of Calgary where she will study business. Dakota has been involved in high school volleyball and the volleyball sport academy program at Father Mercerdi earning the distinction of team captain and most valuable player in her grade 9 year. She has been an active member of the student-led Santa’s Anonymous initiative for 5 years and was a Lead in grade 12. Dakota is described as confident, generous with her time, and to possess excellent public speaking skills.
Maximus Ramirez is completed grade twelve at Father Patrick Mercredi Community High School in 2023. In the Fall of 2023, he will attend Acadia University in Nova Scotia and begin study in the Bachelor of Community Development Program. Max has participated in many school sports including football and basketball and was named Father Merc athlete of the year in 2021-22. He has been awarded the most valuable player award on the Mighty Peace Football League and the FMCSD Saints teams. Max has been involved in the Santa’s Anonymous team recently acting as a students spokesperson for radio and social media announcements. He has also volunteered with KidSport Wood Buffalo and a unified sport initiative with the Alberta Schools Athletic Association. Max has been described by teachers as optimistic, dedicated, and compassionate.
Kolbi Young graduated from Holy Trinity Catholic High School in June of 2023 and has been accepted into the University of Saskatchewan where he will study Engineering Physics. Kolbi has achieved academic excellence and is able to balance his studies with community service and part-time employment. He has volunteered with Athabasca Tribal Council local events, the 2023 Wood Buffalo Winter Games, and as an after school coach at St. Anne School. Kolbi has played many youth sports in Fort McMurray including baseball, soccer, and basketball. He is described by teachers as a very well-rounded individual who exemplifies responsibility and leadership.
2022 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Kennedy Dirk will be entering her third year of medical school at the University of Alberta in the Fall of 2022. Kennedy remains committed to a wide variety of sport and physical wellness activities, in addition to a demanding academic program. As a Fort McMurray youth, she volunteered in many domains, including as a Alberta Health Services, North East Zone Tobacco Reduction Coordinator, Youth Education Mentor for the Athabasca Tribal Council, Medical Volunteer Coordinator for the Alberta Winter Youth Games and a long-term care volunteer at the Northern Lights Regional Hospital. She has been recognized as being an inspiration for girls with her diverse contributions to a northern rural community, along with many other accolades. Kennedy demonstrates the commitment to succeed in both academics and athletics. Mentors and teachers praise Kennedy for her empathy, compassion, and strong interpersonal skills. Her future goals include cardiology or return to a rural community to pactice sports medicine.
Jeffrey McCracken is a 2022 graduate from Father Parick Mercredi Community High School. He will be attending Acadia University to study kinesiology and is scouted to play on the Acadia Axemen Football team. Jeffrey is a passionate football player demonstrating leadership skills as the captain of the Fort McMurray Catholic School District Saints. Jeffrey has volunteered for Santas Anonymous and was appointed a head leader for the 2021 campaign. Coaches commend Jeffrey for his work ethic and ability to balance his academics with extra-cirricular activities. One of Jeffrey’s most noteworthy attributes is his forward thinking and warm-spirited character.
Dhyan Patel has completed grade twelve at Westwood Community High School. In the Fall of 2022, he will begin post secondary studies at the University of Waterloo. Dhyan has been involved in high school volleyball and basketball and led both teams as captain. He is an exceptional student achieving top honours. This last year Dhyan was elected as the Student Council President, while simultaneously sitting on the Principal's Advisory Council and Mayor’s Youth Council, exemplifying the qualities of a community leader. He was selected twice to represent the community in the National Science fair with an innovative environmental project. Dhyan has contributed to Mental Health Literacy projects at his school and is a natural mentor and leader. During an Artificial Intelligence Summer Internship at the University of Calgary he developed a Braille Kit increasing accessibility for the visually impaired.
Jessia Perrealut is a 2022 graduate from Holy Trinity Catholic High School and has been accepted to the University of Alberta’s Bachelor of Science Psychology Progam. She has danced competitively with MacDonald Island Dance Academy for five years. Jessica has achieved honors with distinction while staying committed to dance and recognizes that dance has helped develop her time management and organization skills. She has volunteered with organizations that align with her core values such as the Centre of Hope and with younger dancers at the dance academy. Jessica also celebrates her Metis heritage with an Indigenous leadership and drumming group. Her future goal is to complete a masters program in Speech Language Pathology.
2021 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Jhonajoy Adalem is a graduating student from Father Patrick Mercredi Community High School. Jhonajoy (Joy) has been accepted to the University of Alberta for a Bachelor of Arts in Recreation, Sport and Tourism. Joy is described as a true humanitarian committed to both her school and community. She is an incredible student athlete playing basketball, volleybal and rugby while maintaining academic honours. Joy is highly motivated and demonstrates maturity as she navigates adversity and adult responsibilities at her youthful age. Mentors and teachers praise Joy for her positivity, leadership, and achievements.
Grace Boser is graduating from Father Patrick Mercredi Community High School and has been accepted to the University of Calgary where she will study psychology. Grace has been involved in the Generation Dance community for twelve years. She performs both competitively and for the community, as well as, instructs youth at the school. Grace is an exceptional student who maintains an honours with distinction average and exhibits leadership and professionalism. Grace is determined to affect positive change with her goal of becoming a psychologist.
Breagh Dunn is completing grade twelve at Father Patrick Mercredi Community High School. In the Fall of 2021, she will begin study in an engineering program at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. Breagh has been Irish dancing since she was three years old and has participated in varsity basketball, volleyball and track and field. In 2019, she was awared Female Student Athlete of the Year. She is an exceptional student achieving a honours with distinction average. It is evident that Breagh embodies core values of persons, community, responsibility and learning.
Sarah Lloyd is graduating from Holy Trinity Catholic High School and has been accepted into the Faculty of Science at the University of Calgary. She has danced and volunteeted with MacDonald Island Dance Academy for ten years. Sarah is a conscientious student who demonstrates a high level of intrinsic motivation to succeed as evidenced by her academic achievement of honours with distinction. She maintains two part time positions and truly leads by example as she navigates life challenges through her adolescent years. She has donated 11 inches of hair to the Canadian Cancer Society and sponsors an Orangutan named Pingky with her brother.
The Shane Daye and Keith Nash Memorial Foundation was able to gift a Fort McMurray Golf Club 2021 Players Card to Kyle Morin following a generous donation. Kyle is a well rounded athlete that is highly respected as a leader at school and community.
2020 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS-
Olivia Barker is a graduating student from Westwood Community High School. Olivia has been accepted into the General Science program at Mount Royal University and has set her sights on medical school following her undergraduate study. Olivia has demonstrated her well-rounded nature by remaining committed to competitive dance, volunteering her time for her schools administrative advisory, council, working part-time and achieving honours with distinction throughout high school. Mentors and teachers compliment Olivia, as she is focused with a strong work ethic, thoughtful and emotionally intelligent.
Madison Snooks will be entering her second year of the Bachelor of Elementary Education program at Keyano College. To compliment her Dean’s list achievement, during her post-secondary studies, Madison joined the first ever Varsity cheerleading team at Keyano College and honed in on her gymnastic training from Norfort. She began volunteering for the EnviroMENTOR program, commits her time for sports days at local elementary schools, and steps forward to help out at various Keyano College events. Madison’s leadership and community spirit will continue to benefit the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. Following completion of her Education degree, she is committed to being a local teacher, coach and mentor.
Levi Legaree is graduating from Westwood Community High School. Levi has maintained honours with distinction during his advanced placement high school studies, securing his acceptance into the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Keyano College. Levi remains committed to volunteering and community leadership and received the Alberta Genome Award and Crystal Clean Award in the Regional Science Fair in 2018 and 2019, respectfully. Levi is a gifted athlete, participating in school volleyball, basketball and track and field, as well as representing the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, playing competitive soccer in England, Greenland and at the Alberta Summer Games. Levi embodies healthy living and overall wellbeing, launching him into an interest in a healthcare profession.
Kaylen Young is completing grade 12 at Holy Trinity Catholic High School and has been accepted to the University of Saskatchewan Bachelor of Science Program for September 2020. Kaylen is a conscientious student whom strives for self-improvement and personal growth, which is evident through her high academic standing. She has danced competitively from a young age, maintains a part time job, volunteers and demonstrates a high level of leadership. Kaylen helped out at the 2018 Alberta Winter games, walks dog for the humane society, and gives her time to the less fortunate, providing basic amenities, at a local soup kitchen.
2019 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Adam Canete- is a graduating student from Father Patrick Mercredi Community High School. Adam will be studying for a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology at the University of British Columbia beginning in September 2019. Along with maintaining honour roll with distinction academically, Adam demonstrates a balanced commitment to the sport of baseball and has been a member of the Baseball Academy at his school. Adam has volunteered for many school events and consistently provides mentorship to younger students and athletes when called upon.
Sean Dunn-is a graduating from Father Patrick Mercredi Community High School. He is enrolled at the University of New Brunswick for the Fall of 2019. Sean is a member of his schools Baseball Academy and is a starting pitcher for our Fort McMurray Minor Baseball Academy (FMMBA) Midget Oil Giants. He has dedicated his time as a mentor for the sport of baseball and is recognized in the community for his kind spirit and positive attitude.
Matthew Lloyd- is a graduating student from Westwood Community High School. His academic excellence gained him acceptance to the University of Calgary, where he plans to pursue a Bachelor of Science, Major in General Mathematics. Matthew is an avid hockey player, having played in the Fort McMurray Minor Hockey Association (FMMHA) for 10 years. He also enjoys golf and was a member of the school track and field team. Matthew thinks globally and wishes to raise awareness of how deforestation is impacting wildlife. He has sponsored an orangutan, in Indonesia, for the past 4 years. He has proved to be resilient in the face of adversity; maintaining a positive disposition during his fathers health challenges.
Judah Legaree- is graduating from Westwood Community High School. He has maintained honours with distinction, securing acceptance to the University of Guelph, where he will be studying for a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. Judah demonstrates a high level of volunteerism and has been nominated as one of ‘Fort McMurray’s Top 20 Under 20’. He is an outstanding athlete, excelling at soccer, volleyball and basketball. In grade 12, he was chosen as the team captain for Fort McMurray Fury club soccer, futsal, volleyball and basketball.
2018 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Chelsi Ryan- is entering her fourth year at Keyano College for a Bachelor of Elementary Education in collaboration with the University of Alberta. Chelsi has been involved high school basketball and volleyball. She is also an avid snowboarder and has attained her Level 1 as a snowboard instructor. Chelsi is an extraordinary individual who volunteers her time coaching a Grade 5/6 Boy Basketball team, a Grade 3-6 Co-Ed Running Club, is the future President of the Education Students Association Local 9, a board/committee member for the Justin Slade Youth Foundation, Keyano College Research Ethics, and Anzac Family and Community Support Society.
Particularly close to Chelsi’s heart, is her involvement with Honouring the Heroes of Wood Buffalo Memorial Park project in memory of her sister, Emily Ryan who lost her life during the 2016 evacuation. She is dedicated to expanding children’s programming for the rural areas of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo.
She has intentions to stay in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo as a teacher and a coach following her convocation.
Justin Breen was a grade 11 student at Father Patrick Mercredi high school in 2017/2018 who was enrolled in the Baseball Academy. Justin has overcome injury with a positive disposition, giving his time as a volunteer with younger levels of baseball and maintaining his commitment to his team. Despite the physical setbacks, Justin has emerged as a very talented and disciplined player, teammate and role model.
Mark Chappelle was a 2018 graduating student from Westwood Community High School and has been playing competitive baseball for 8 years. He is known as a hard worker and leads through both his words and actions. He has plans to continue playing baseball while he attends Lethbridge College for the Criminal Justice Program.
Jamie Ferns was also a 2018 graduating student from Westwood Community High School and has been involved in both high school and competitive volleyball. Jamie has also managed to maintain a honours with distinction average and has plans to attend Keyano College for the General Science Program.
CONGRATULATIONS to this years recipients!
2017 Recipients
Emily Barlett is a graduating student from Holy Trinity Catholic High School who will be attending the University of Alberta for a Bachelor of Science, Honors Biochemistry in September 2017. Along with her significant academic achievements, Emily enjoys playing hockey and volunteered her time with the post-fire cleanup. She hopes to continue playing hockey while she attends university and aspires to move onto medicine, following her undergraduate degree.
Mitchell Fradsham is currently working towards a degree in Health and Physical Education, Majoring in Physical Literacy at Mount Royal University. As a youth he was significantly involved in the FMMHA and earned a black belt in Taekwondo. His experiences with sport have inspired Mitchell's post-secondary education and career goals. He hopes to instill the values of leadership, discipline, and teamwork with the youth he mentors.
Alex Pike was nominated by his soccer academy instructor who has coached him for the past 6 years. He describes Alex as a skilled player that demonstrates strong leadership qualities and is highly respected by his peers and teammates. Additionally, Alex is dedicated to his studies and is a graduating student from Father Patrick Mercredi Community High School. He intends to begin the Civil Engineering Technology program in September 2017.
Jeffrey McCracken was nominated by his grade 7 teachers for his academic and athletic efforts and achievements. He is currently enrolled in the swim academy at Father Patrick Mercredi Community High School. His teachers commended his leadership ability and initiative. Jeffrey will once again be enriching his educational experience as part of the swim academy for 2017-2018.
CONGRATULATIONS to this years recipients!
2016 Recipients
Sarah Shannahan is a grade seven student at Ecole McTavish Junior High Public School in Fort McMurray. Earlier this year she auditioned for the School of Alberta Ballet's 2016 Professional Division Summer Intensive and was selected to participate this July. Upon completion of the Summer Intensive program, she will qualify for the full time school program at the Alberta Ballet Academy. Sarah has maintained a high academic standard along with dedicating 16-18 hours/week to dance. Sarah also has time to volunteer for the Fort McMurray Food Bank and student council.
Shauna Budden will be using her $1000 Scholarship to attend Keyano College to study Nursing in the Fall. She is and has been actively involved in Soccer playing for both the Fort McMurray Fury and the Keyano Huskies. Shauna is a very skilled soccer player who demonstrates a great attitude and strong leadership qualities. She also works as a lifeguard at MacDonald Island.
Camielle Devos is a graduating student from Father Patrick Mercredi Community High School in Fort McMurray. She will be using her scholarship to offset the cost of studying Kinesiology at the University of Lethbridge this Fall. Camielle has been involved in both ringette and rugby and wishes to continue to play while enrolled at the U of L. Camielle was actively involved with Santa's Anonymous at Father Merc.
Ben Simmons is a grade nine student at Ecole McTavish Junior High Public School in Fort McMurray. Ben has been selected to play on the Team Alberta U15 Basketball team. His scholarship will help offset the financial burden of playing for Team Alberta. Ben maintains a high academic standard is a leader both on and off the court.
2015 Recipients:
Marcus Critch was a graduating Instrument Tech Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) student. He was active in competitive baseball and was recommended unanimously by the staff at Father Patrick Mercredi High School. Marcus has plans to attend the Northern Institute of Technology to complete the Instrumentation program.
A grade nine tri-sport athlete showing significant growth in both athletics and academics was also recommended by the staff at Father Mercredi. His scholarship will be used to help subsidize his enrolment in the sport academy program. Father Mercredi offers a sport academy program; he can choose a sport of his choice to register in.
Lyric Whiteknife, a student from Holy Trinity High School, in Fort McMurray, was recommended by her mother. She was named athlete of the year at her high school and is a centre for a Midgit girls hockey team. Her team represented Canada in a 15 day girls hockey tournament in Scandinavia in August of 2015.
The last scholarship given out in 2015 was to Zachary Fradsham who created the Play 4 Daye stickers and helped lay the groundwork for the establishment and creation of this memorial foundation and the scholarship fund. The young man enjoys many sports including hockey and paintball and remains very passionate and dedicated to preserving the memory of Shane and Keith.