Jake Weitz Memorial Scholarship

The Jake Weitz Memorial Scholarship was created to honor the memory of Jake Weitz and to provide scholarship and bursaries to High School students to be used for post-secondary education, who also share a love for mechanics.

Jake Troy Weitz
Everyone always asked Jake ‘besides farming, what do you want to do when you grow up?’ At first he could never give you an answer, until he reached Grade 10.

Jake was always a smart kid, and when he applied himself received great marks in school. Jake said he had done some testing in school and mechanics was a field that really interested him. He liked fixing things. When you’re a farm kid, you know equipment always breaks down. Running machinery for thousands of hours requires constant maintenance and repairs. Jake started at a young age, driving quads, riding dirt bikes and riding in the tractors with Grandpa and Dad. After that, he was in the baler and then driving big trucks during seeding and harvest. When the equipment was broken, or needed to be maintained Jake was always there, learning from his Dad and Grandpa and then eventually doing it himself.

In Grade 10, Jake learned he could earn credits through the school’s Registered Apprentice Program (aka RAP). He applied at Gil’s Truck and Auto. Jason, Erin, Gil and Amy looked at Jake and saw a young but eager kid with potential and they gave him a chance. And boy did that chance pay off! Jake was very smart and definitely a hard worker! It wasn’t everyday they came across a kid with his work ethic. He was punctual and took pride in his work, from even the simple things like how he swept the floors to bigger jobs; like changing tires. Slowly he gained their trust and confidence. Jake went on to graduate from Didsbury High School and then went off to Red Deer Polytechnic, enrolled in Automotive Services. He worked his apprenticeship hours at Gil’s Truck and Auto during the day and worked at the farm in the evenings and on weekends.

Jake’s family was so proud of him. He was a kind and amazing young man! He helped his whole family with their vehicles; his Mom would call and say “Jake can you do an oil change for me”, or “Jake my check engine light is on” and Jake would help her. Jake’s friends would say, “Jake I need to drop a new tranny in my truck” and he would say “ok, lets do it this weekend”. He was always there to help.

Jake passed away just two days after completing his 2nd year of Automotive Services. It was in the days after his passing that his Mother created this Scholarship.

We want Jake’s beautiful legacy, love for mechanics and learning to live on.

Scholarship Description and Eligibility:

Eligibility criteria includes (but is not limited to):
- Proof of application/enrollment to a post-secondary course for Automotive Services, Heavy Duty, Aviation, etc., Mechanics at an accredited College or University (Board discretion applicable) in Canada.*
- Requirements Include: English 30-3 or English 12, Math 30-3 or Math 11 Physics 20 or Physics 11, Science 20 or Science 11, related CTS courses. **
- Maximum of one Jake Weitz Memorial Scholarship can be acquired in each student’s academic lifetime.
- Canadian citizen or permanent resident (Birth certificate or proof of residency if not Canadian Citizen).
- Preference will be given to students who demonstrate financial need.
- A short 2-3 minute video is welcomed, not required – detailing why the student desires this scholarship and why he/she believes they would be a good fit for the Jake Weitz Memorial Scholarship.
- Complete the application form containing basic info (name, address, phone etc.).

  • If registration is not open/available at your College/University by March 1st, provide the date when registration opens and course date/details.
  • Official High School Transcript required for verification

Scholarship value: $1000 per student

Application Form
We are currently accepting applications. Application deadline is March 1st. The selected student will be notified by April 15th.

Please visit https://jakeweitzmemorial.ca/how-to-apply

Award
$1,000.00
Deadline
03/01/2026
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