Scholarship Impact

Megan Hirschfeld-2023 – Aden Bowman Collegiate

Being chosen for the Evan Thomas Memorial Scholarship by the scholarship committee is a huge honour that I am extremely grateful for. Evan was an exceptional individual that possessed a number of respectable qualities. He was a very driven individual who was dedicated to athletics, academics, and making a positive impact in the community. I aspire to be a person like Evan. 

The funds that I will be receiving from the Evan Thomas Memorial Scholarship will help cover my first year costs at Queen’s University in Ontario. I will be pursuing a Bachelors in Health Sciences with the hopes of pursuing a career in Medicine. I will also be playing for the female hockey team at Queen’s. Receiving this financial aid will help me pursue my athletics and academics while giving me time to make a positive impact in the community. This scholarship has helped inspire me to find new ways to give back to the community. As I embark on this next adventure in my life, I will challenge myself to be the type of person Evan was. My hope is that I can inspire and have a positive impact on people, just as Evan has.

Brynn Lewis-2022 – St. Joseph High School

I am incredibly honored to receive the 2022 Evan Thomas memorial scholarship. This award continues to inspire young people to embody Evan’s dedication to athletics and academics, as well as his commitment to teammates, family, and friends. Evan inspired those around him to make a difference through creating a community where everyone felt welcome and valued, and I’m honored to help uphold those beliefs. I would like to thank the scholarship staff and Evan’s family for giving me the opportunity to be a part of his legacy and make a difference in my own community.

The funds from the scholarship were put towards my first year of tuition at the University of Ottawa, where I’m playing for the women’s volleyball team and studying Human kinetics. After tearing my ACL in 2021, I saw the impact that a dedicated support staff can have on recovery, inspiring me to start my path towards a career in physiotherapy. I would like to be able to create a positive recovery environment for those undergoing similar experiences, and show that it is possible to return as a better and stronger version of yourself. The scholarship has allowed me to put a greater focus on my academics to achieve that goal, as well as take the time to build stronger connections with my own teammates and support network. Evan believed in creating lasting connections with teammates and friends, and I am grateful to have had that experience over the past year. My goal is to continue to uphold his beliefs and values by finding ways to strengthen and build my community, and create a welcoming environment for everyone around me.

Brandon Chilagan-2021 – Bishop James Mahoney High School

It is a great honour to be chosen by the scholarship committee to be this year’s recipient of the Evan Thomas Memorial Scholarship. Receiving this award in memory of Evan and his legacy of dedication to both athletics and academics is truly an honour. Evan’s leadership and other admirable qualities set him apart as an outstanding individual, one that I strive to be like myself.

With the funds that I have received from the Evan Thomas Memorial scholarship, I will be using it to help cover my first-year tuition at the University of Alberta. I will be pursuing an Honours Science degree in Cell Biology, and have aspirations of becoming a Clinical Geneticist one day. I will also be training and competing with the varsity track and field team. Receiving financial support will allow me to focus on my academics and athletics, and spend more time being able to give back to my community. As I move forward I hope to keep Evan’s memory and legacy alive, honouring and up holding the beliefs and values he had of leadership through my actions.

Jordan Friesen-2020 – Tommy Douglas Collegiate

It is with extreme gratitude that I extend my thank you to the scholarship committee for choosing me to be this year’s recipient of the Evan Thomas Memorial Scholarship. I am honoured to be presented this award in memory of such an outstanding individual. Evan was known for his outstanding leadership skills along with his drive in both athletics and academics. I strive to possess those same qualities, and am thankful to be recognized by the scholarship committee for my efforts. 

The funds that I received from the Evan Thomas Memorial Scholarship will help cover my tuition costs as I enter my first year of study at the University of Saskatchewan. I will be pursuing a Bachelor of Education with aspirations of becoming a teacher and eventually a school administrator. In the coming years I hope to utilize my leadership skills as I give back to the sporting community through coaching. The financial aid that I received from the scholarship will enable me to dedicate more of my time to giving back. My hope is to keep Evan’s memory alive through my actions each and every day moving forward, because everyone should aspire to leave behind a legacy as substantial as the one that Evan has left us.

Anna Oliver-2019 – Holy Cross High School

It is truly an honour to be named the first recipient of the Evan Thomas Memorial Scholarship. I cannot thank the scholarship committee enough for the support I have received and the effort they’ve put into this award. I am very proud to be recognized for my qualities and achievements as a student-athlete and I hope to express the type of leadership and academic excellence which Evan was so well known for throughout my years to come. I hope that myself, as well as all the following recipients of this scholarship will help to keep Evan’s memory alive and well. 

The Evan Thomas Memorial Scholarship will help to cover tuition for my upcoming year at the University of Saskatchewan where I will be studying Kinesiology while I compete with the Huskies Women’s Soccer team. I am very excited to begin university and I have high hopes of eventually pursuing a career in Neurology. Receiving this scholarship will aid me financially and allow me to focus on my academic and athletic goals. This recognition has inspired me to commit to my academics and express leadership in all aspects of my life.