Alberta Powerlifting UNion Student Scholarship
Each year the APU will grant student scholarships based on an athlete's involvement within the sport, including volunteerism, athletic accomplishments, and commitment to growing powerlifting in Alberta. The student scholarship amount and the application conditions will be determined at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). Following the AGM, candidates may then apply for the student scholarship. At the submission deadline, the APU Executive Council will shortlist and select a successful candidate.
Application for the 2025-2026 APU Student Scholarship will open in the fall of 2025.
2024-2025 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT - ZOE KNIPE
Zoe is currently a full-time student at the University of Alberta pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Engineering. Since first competing in 2022, Zoe has achieved numerous achievements in Powerlifting including winning the 2024 Western Regional Championships and breaking multiple provincial and national records in the Sub-Junior and Junior 69kg class. In September, Zoe represented Team Canada at the 2024 IPF Sub-Junior and Junior World Championships in Malta, earning a silver medal in the deadlift and securing 4th place overall in the highly competitive Sub-Junior 69kg class.
In addition to her accomplishments in the sport, Zoe consistently gives back to the APU community through volunteering and hopes to organize a meet in the future. She always brings a positive energy to competitions, motivating and encouraging her fellow members.
Outside of powerlifting and her studies, Zoe enjoys other sports, running, and baking and cooking with her friends!
Congratulations Zoe!
In addition to her accomplishments in the sport, Zoe consistently gives back to the APU community through volunteering and hopes to organize a meet in the future. She always brings a positive energy to competitions, motivating and encouraging her fellow members.
Outside of powerlifting and her studies, Zoe enjoys other sports, running, and baking and cooking with her friends!
Congratulations Zoe!
2023-2024 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT - CARLA SWANEPOEL
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Carla is currently a full-time student at the University of Lethbridge pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with plans to continue her education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography after graduation in 2024. Since first competing in 2021, Carla has achieved numerous achievements in Powerlifting including placing 2nd at 2023 National Championships and representing Team Canada at the IPF Junior World Championships this past August in Romania.
As a powerlifting and nutrition coach, Carla hopes to continue the growth of the sport in Alberta, especially for females. Carla also gives back to the community by volunteering at local, provincial and regional meets. Outside of powerlifting and her studies, you’ll find her unwinding with friends and spending her summers in Yellowknife (hometown) with her family and friends. Congratulations, Carla! |
2022-2023 Scholarship Recipient - Tori Laperriere
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Tori is currently a full-time student at the University of Calgary pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. Since first competing in 2017, Tori has achieved numerous achievements in Powerlifting including winning 2 National Championships, competing at 3 international competitions, and breaking multiple records across different age categories and weight classes.
In addition to her achievements in the sport, Tori also received a PURE award for undergraduate research she conducted on prevalence and knowledge of the Female Athlete Triad among female powerlifters and their coaches. This aligns with her goal to inform coaches and set the standard for best practices and long-term development for women in powerlifting. Outside of powerlifting and her studies, you can find her in the mountains snowboarding and hiking or experiencing the amazing craft beer in YYC! Congratulations Tori |
2021-2022 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT - Jordan Hoang
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Jordan is a BEd student at the University of Alberta with a major in math and a minor in physics. Having been part of the APU since 2016, he has competed up to the World's level in the sport in 2019 in the Junior Equipped Bench division. His most recent achievement has been achieving a Junior National Record bench at 208kg in 2020, along with best Junior Classic Bencher and second overall for raw and equipped bench at Nationals in 2020
Along with powerlifting, Jordan skies, plays guitar, and freelances as a photographer having done photos and videos at multiple meets in Edmonton. Jordan's goal through his degree and powerlifting is to promote and introduce the sport in junior high and high school environments to grow the sub junior and now, youth divisions. |
2020-2021 Scholarship Recipient - Danielle Reid-Clavelle
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Danielle is currently a student at Mount Royal University and is pursuing a Personal Fitness Trainer Diploma. She has competed at various level of the sport, with her most recent success at the 2020 CPU National Championships where she won the 72kg Equipped Open class with a 500kg/1100lb total.
Outside of her own lifting, Danielle coaches beginner athletes, high school students, and hosts training groups where general populations and new gym-goers are introduced to powerlifting as a vehicle to self-development. Danielle is also a Provincial-level referee and volunteers at many meets in Calgary and within the province. Danielle's overall goal is to promote physical literacy within her community as she believe physical literacy goes further than physical fitness. She intends to use her experience and education to teach it to future students and her hope is that she continues to push the next generation towards sport and help set them up with the lifelong skills being an athlete brings. Congratulations Danielle! |
2019-2020 scholarship recipient - Melnard de Leon
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Melnard is currently a student at the University of Alberta pursuing his Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. Since his first powerlifting meet in 2015, he has gone on to compete at various levels of the sport and, more recently, has become heavily involved with the University of Alberta Powerlifting Association (UAPA). Humble as always, Melnard gives back to the sport by facilitating meets specifically for UAPA first time lifters to get a feel for the sport, as well as helping them ensure they avoid the common mistakes that can happen when competing for the first time. As UAPA President, Melnard has organized Powersurge, a staple meet in the Edmonton community for both new and veteran lifters.
Outside of powerlifting, Melnard’s career aspirations are to become a successful physical therapist and strength coach, hoping to bridge the cap between both fields for future athletes. Congratulations Melnard! |
2018-2019 Scholarship Recipients - Aileen Bishop & Teresa Parsons
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Aileen Bishop (right) has been an athlete in the sport of powerlifting since 2015 competing at various levels including multiple provincial, regional, and national championships. Around the APU, where you will most likely see her is volunteering at our meets in a variety of capacities including as a certified provincial referee. A dedicated volunteer in our community, Aileen specifically took time off world to volunteer at countless sessions at the 2018 IPF World Championships when it was hosted in Calgary. Now that is dedication.
Outside of powerlifting, Aileen works in the healthcare insurance industry and is currently pursuing her Masters of Health Studies at Athabasca University while working full-time. Teresa Parsons (left) has seen great success in our sport since her first competition in 2015. Since then, she has gone on to compete at multiple national championships and has ended up on the podium at every single one in the highly competitive 63kg class. She has also represented Team Canada at the 2016 and 2019 IPF World Classic Championships placing 6th and 5th respectively. When not competing, Teresa can be seen at local meets usually on the platform spotting and loading with a smile Outside of the platform, Teresa is a full-time student at the University of Alberta pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Food Science with a specialization in Dietetics. |
2017-2018 SCHOLARSHIP recipients - Jason Luo & Teresa Parsons
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Jason has been involved with APU powerlifting for 4 years, and has competed in many levels of competition ranging from local meets to international meets. He recently competed at the IPF World Classic Championships in Belarus as a 59kg junior where he placed second overall. He has volunteered at multiple local and provincial level meets as both a spotter and loader and a certified provincial level referee.
Powerlifting has become a large part of his life since he began. Jason is very enthusiastic about it and is constantly encouraging his friends to try out and compete in powerlifting. He has even aided two of friends in competing at local competitions. Currently, he trains out of both the U of A and Evolve, where he encounters many new lifters or people interested in trying out the sport. He wants to be a role model for younger and newer lifters as he understands what it feels like to be a new lifter and to be intimidated by the prospect of competing. Trying to spread the message that you don’t have to be a huge person to lift large weights in powerlifting. Jason is deep into prep for the 2018 CPU National Championships in Calgary with the goal of winning to secure a spot on our National team for the IPF 2018 World Championships being held in Calgary this coming June. His ultimate athletic goal is to win the world championships as a 59kg Junior, so he’s coming to National’s hungry for some unfinished business. Jason is a student at the U of A working towards entrance into the physiotherapy program. |
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Teresa has been a member of the APU since 2015. She competed in two APU Provincial Championships placing 1st in 2015 in the 63 kg open class and 1st in 2017 in the 57 kg open class. She has also competed in two CPU National Championships placing 1st in 2016 and 2nd in 2017. In 2016, Teresa made the open World’s team and finished 6th place. Currently, she is training for the 2018 CPU National Championships in Calgary with the hope and goal of winning so she can secure a spot on our World Team for the 2018 IPF World Championships.
Teresa is a full-time student enrolled in Bachelor of Science in Nutrition & Food Sciences, to eventually gain admission to the Dietetics program at the University of Alberta in 2018. She wants to become a Registered Dietitian because helping people live better lives is something she is passionate about and believes a good life starts with good health. You would also have seen her around helping and volunteering at the last two APU Provincial Championships. |
2016-2017 Scholarship Recipients - Brandon Lai & Adam Manery
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Brandon is a 66/74kg powerlifter competing out of Calgary, Alberta. He trains and studies at Mount Royal University where he is his second year of studies as a business major. Brandon has been instrumental in founding and administrating the Royal Barbell Club out of the MRU Fitness Centre. Royal Barbell has a large membership and has been a great resource for spreading knowledge of and participation in powerlifting. As an athlete, Brandon has competed at the regional level, recently placing 4th in the 66 kg junior class at the 2016 Western Canadian Championships. Brandon is an inspired powerlifter with a strong commitment to engagement in the powerlifting community. We thank Brandon for his contributions to the sport thus far and look forward to what the coming years bring for him.
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Adam is another successful powerlifter coming out of the storied W95 room at the University of Alberta. Adam is a two-time veteran of the Canadian National Championships and one-time NAPF competitor. Adam is currently pursuing a bachelor of education degree and has been able to promote powerlifting style-strength training to many of the students he currently teaches in his practicum placements. Adam has also been able to participate in the founding of several powerlifting clubs, further demonstrating his commitment to give back to the community of powerlifting. Adam has a strong academic background and has proven himself to be formidable competitor on the platform. We could not be more proud to have Adam amongst our ranks as an Alberta Powerlifting Union member and are looking forward to Adam’s bright future in the sport.
2015 - 2016 Scholarship Recipients - Dani Savoie & Larry Ko
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Dani began powerlifting in 2012 and has since represented Canada internationally, most recently competing at the 2015 North American Powerlifting Championships where she won gold in the 72k equipped category. Dani is also a regular volunteer at local and provincial competitions, and is beginning to co-host competitions in Edmonton. Furthermore, Dani acts as a mentor to many first-time athletes, and leads powerlifting seminars for women interested in strength training. Outside of powerlifting Dani is pursuing an after-degree in education where she hopes to apply for an elementary school position upon completion. |
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Larry competed at his first National Championship this year, which was good enough to earn him a spot on the Commonwealth Powerlifting team in the 66k junior bench-only division. Larry was also a member of the United Barbell team at Provincials this year -- the club that won the "Best Overall Team" award.
Just as important as Larry's success on the platform, he has demonstrated a deep commitment to the growth of powerlifting generally. To that end, Larry is a NCCP certified coach with Special Olympics Powerlifting and works with those athletes with physical and intellectual disabilities. Furthermore, Larry took it upon himself to create Royal Barbell, a powerlifting club that is affiliated with Mount Royal University, already boasting over 50 members. Larry plans to use this club as a way to showcase powerlifting to the broader student body, as well as host competitions in 2016. Outside of powerlifting Larry is interested in sport psychology and hopes to pursue his Masters in this area following his undergraduate degree. |
2014-2015 Scholarship Recipient - BReann Thiessen
The APU has awarded Breann Thiessen the APU Student Scholarship. While their were other students who demonstrated the qualities required for this scholarship, the Executive believe Breann has shown an incredible commitment to the sport of powerlifting in addition to her significant accomplishments as an athlete.
Breann has volunteered at many competitions, in various capacities, at both local and provincial levels. She is also in the process of starting a university-affiliated powerlifting club at the University of Calgary, an endeavour that the APU is very excited about.
In addition to Breann's commitment to growing the sport, she has experienced incredible success as an athlete. This past year, she traveled as part of Team Canada to South Africa to compete at the IPF World Championships, where she placed 3rd overall and 2nd in the squat for her weight class. Breann also holds a total of 7 National records. You should know that Breann's first competition was only just over a year ago!!
We would like to thank all of the scholarship applications. The APU will continue to support student-athletes, as well as athletes at all levels.
Congrats again, Breann!!
Breann has volunteered at many competitions, in various capacities, at both local and provincial levels. She is also in the process of starting a university-affiliated powerlifting club at the University of Calgary, an endeavour that the APU is very excited about.
In addition to Breann's commitment to growing the sport, she has experienced incredible success as an athlete. This past year, she traveled as part of Team Canada to South Africa to compete at the IPF World Championships, where she placed 3rd overall and 2nd in the squat for her weight class. Breann also holds a total of 7 National records. You should know that Breann's first competition was only just over a year ago!!
We would like to thank all of the scholarship applications. The APU will continue to support student-athletes, as well as athletes at all levels.
Congrats again, Breann!!
This is James Bartlett, APU Treasurer, handing Breann her scholarship cheque of $500.
