Overview
Showcasing Emerging Leaders
BCRPA’s student awards and scholarships celebrate the next generation of leaders in recreation, parks, and aquatics. Their passion and commitment strengthens our communities, inspires active living, and shapes a healthier future for all British Columbians.
Our sincere thanks to DB Perks & Associates and Commercial Aquatic Supplies for their ongoing and generous support of young professionals in BC’s recreation, parks and aquatics sectors.
Latest Recipients
Coleman Louie, Langara College, Bachelor of Recreation Management
DB Perks and Associates Graduating Student Scholarship Award
Coleman is a dedicated youth recreation leader whose 13-year career reflects his passion for inclusion, accessibility, and community well-being.
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Ethan Stannard, Vancouver Island University, Bachelor of Recreation Management
DB Perks and Associates Graduating Student Scholarship Award
Ethan is an emerging recreation leader dedicated to empowering youth and building resilient communities through aquatics, wellness, and inclusive recreation.
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Emalie Sutton, District of Kent
DB Perks Young Professional Aquatics Award
Emalie has been part of the aquatic community for seven years and has taught advanced courses since 2019 focused on sharing her passion and expertise in lifeguarding and water-safety education.
Read More
DB Perks & Associates Graduating Student Scholarship Award
Nominations for 2026 are now closed
This scholarship award recognizes outstanding BC post-secondary students who demonstrate excellence in their studies and a commitment to leadership in recreation and parks. These future leaders help advance BCRPA’s vision of recreation and parks as essential to the quality of life for all British Columbians.
The award is presented annually at BCRPA’s Symposium. Recipients are celebrated widely and enjoy province-wide recognition and a prestigious achievement to highlight in their professional journey.
How to Apply
Step 1
Confirm Eligibility
Ensure the student’s post-secondary institution is an Affiliate member of BCRPA and that they are in their final year of a recreation or parks program.
Step 2
Select Your Nominee
Conduct your internal selection process to choose the student who best meets the scholarship criteria.
Step 3
Prepare the Nomination Package
Gather all required materials, including the nominee’s resume, cover letter, essay, reference letter, and photos.
Step 4
Submit Your Nomination
Email the completed package to BCRPA.
Key Dates
Call for Nominations Opens
Submission Deadline
Selection of Successful Recipients
BCRPA’s Annual Symposium in Vancouver
- Nominating post-secondary institutions must be current BCRPA Affiliate members.
- Institutions will nominate their top student in the program, based on the criteria. Nominations packages must be submitted by the school’s department representative – one nomination per department.
- Student nominees must be graduating from a recreation or parks degree or diploma program at a BC university or college, and be graduating in 2026.
- Nominees who have been chosen to receive the award must be BCRPA student members at the time the award is granted at the BCRPA Awards Ceremony.
- BC post-secondary schools with a current BCRPA Affiliate membership can nominate one student per graduating year from a recreation or parks-related program. Students who have completed their studies in Fall of 2025 and graduating in 2026, are also eligible for nomination.
- Nominating institutions will promote the award opportunity to eligible students, conduct an internal selection process based upon the selection criteria, and submit no more than one (1) nomination per program.
- Nomination packages must be submitted to BCRPA by the department representative. View “Submission Requirements” below for details.
Completed nominations packages must include:
- Nominee’s resume (maximum 1-2 page), demonstrating capabilities as well as work experience and any current/past involvement in recreation (including aquatics), and or parks.
- Cover letter by the student that cites his/her successfully meeting each of the four nomination criteria.
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A well-crafted written work of up to 500 words (two pages) summarizing:
- How the knowledge, skills, and abilities learned in the program contribute to the student’s understanding of and leadership within the recreation and parks field; and
- How the student models these qualities. The essay should highlight critical thinking and understanding of the field, and convey what excites the student about the field.
- One (1) letter of reference from an instructor or program leader supporting the nomination which references their and the institution’s observations on how the student meets the nomination criteria.
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Photos of the nominee, including a current digital headshot photo, as well as 3 to 5 additional photos that showcases how recreation and parks have been a part of their life, from any age.
- In the event that the Nominee receives a student scholarship, these photos will be used in recognition material, including the BCRPA Award Ceremony presentation, website, social media, and other digital print material.
Please email all documents to [email protected], with the subject line: 2025 Nomination for BCRPA Student Scholarship
Student nominations will be evaluated on the following broad criteria. The nominated student:
- Exhibits excellence in a recreation or parks program of study as demonstrated in academics, practicum performance and evaluation feedback, class participation, team work, and other criteria deemed important to the program.
- Demonstrates commitment and leadership (academic and in the community) to the recreation and parks field.
- Is actively engaged in recreation (as a volunteer and participant – include any past or current aquatics experience: ie: swim team, coaching, lifeguarding, etc.,) and shows promise of future impact on the sector.
- Is in the final year of the program.
- Is chosen by the program leadership as the graduating student who is most representative of the scholarship nomination criteria.
2024
Julia Olsen
Langara College, Bachelor of Recreation Management
2024
Victoria Jackson
University of Victoria, Recreation and Health Education
2024
Victoria Koutstaal
Vancouver Island University, Recreation and Tourism Management
2023
Maggie Conway
Maggie is passionate about working with communities to enhance social inclusion and cultural representation and remove barriers to accessing necessary resources for individuals to develop and thrive. Maggie approaches recreation and community development through an equity lens as she continues to support her community through programs and services.
Maggie is HIGH-FIVE® certified and currently works as a Provincial Early Years Community Coordinator with Metis Nation BC. She has held previous roles as a Program Coordinator/Community Development Coordinator/Volunteer Coordinator, Recreation Leader, and Child Care Development Instructor in Richmond.
Maggie completed her bachelor’s degree in Recreation Management from Langara in April 2023.
2023
Andrea Pearson
Andrea actively promotes healthy lifestyles in the communities where she lives and works. She has a long history both playing and coaching multiple team sports and is a BCRPA certified Group Fitness and Weight Training instructor.
Andrea works with the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Victoria as a Development Associate and the District of Saanich as a summer camp Program Assistant. Upon graduation, she will also volunteer with the Victoria West Community Association supporting with community events.
Andrea completed her bachelor’s degree in Recreation and Health Education from the University of Victoria in Spring 2023.
2022
Ashton Aumen
Ashton is a decorated academic and athlete who was recently awarded the University of Victoria President’s Scholarship, Varsity Honour Role, and Academic All Canadian Scholarship, as well as winning three consecutive National Championships with the UVIC Vikes Women’s Field Hockey Team.
Ashton is passionate about coaching as a way to give back to her community and currently coaches the Spring League for Cowichan Field Hockey, Cowichan Indoor league, Field Hockey BC Technical Development Program, and junior girls’ basketball at Cowichan Secondary School. She is also an active umpire with Cowichan Field Hockey as well as Vancouver Island Ladies Field Hockey Association.
Ashton graduated from the University of Victoria with a Bachelor of Arts in Recreation and Health Education in the Spring of 2022.
2022
Julie Kaufman
Julie is a lifelong learner passionate about advocating for leadership development, barrier free recreation services, and drowning prevention initiatives. She is a BCRPA Registered Fitness Leader (Aquatics Specialty), is HIGH FIVE® certified, and has completed the Pool Operators Level 1 course.
Julie also has a vast amount of experience working in professional recreation settings. She is the co-chair of the Lifesaving Society’s Program Advisory Group, a Master Instructor Trainer with the Canadian Red Cross, a National Trainer with the Lifesaving Society, and currently the Aquatics Supervisor for the City of Richmond.
Julie completed her Bachelors degree in Recreation Management from Langara in Spring 2022.
2022
Keenan Bevan
Keenan has spent 9 years working and volunteering in the field of recreation, including as a Senior Leader and Youth Recreation Advisor within the Regional District of Nanaimo’s recreation department. He believes community recreation is key to the healthy development and preservation of people, environment, happiness, culture, and most of all community.
Keenan brings his years of experience into the classroom and is known widely as a leader and a mentor. His academic achievements include making the Dean’s list at VIU and receiving the Recreation & Tourism Award for Excellence in 2019.
Keenan graduated from the Bachelor of Tourism Management (Recreation Major) at VIU in Spring 2022.
2021
Alanna Tieszen
Alanna Tieszen has been described as intelligent, curious, and a life-long learner. Faculty of the program describe her as thoughtful and analytical, and she asks relevant compelling questions that push her thinking as well as that of her peers. She has a heart for building a community that is well and engaged.
Throughout her academic studies, Alanna has been able to maintain high marks, and produce works of academic excellence while also working full-time as Lifestyle and Program Manager at Chartwell Renaissance Retirement Residence in Langley, creating and delivering recreation programs to over 150 seniors. She also volunteers as Run Director for the DRIME Run for the Nations, and as Substitute Instructor at Richmond Academy of Dance, while also enjoying many recreational activities.
She is looking forward to continuing to help people reach their full potential and offering opportunities that challenge their perceived understanding of quality of life.
Alanna completed her Bachelor’s degree in Recreation Management from Langara College in spring of 2021
2021
Dave Osborne
David has been a Dean’s List student since 2019, while also working as a skating instructor for the City of Nanaimo. He is active in the community as a volunteer hockey coach with the North Island Silvertips, and is an athlete, participating in multiple sports. He’s also had experience working in municipal parks maintenance in Ladysmith.
David has a passion for sustainable outdoor recreation and protecting the environment, and sees recreation playing a large role in protecting it. His goal is to lead with ideas that will help shape the future world of recreation and leisure as well as motivate his peers to rise to their potential abilities. He looks forward to a career where he can provide recreation experiences for the community and create sustainable outdoor recreation spaces that protect our environment.
Dave graduated from Vancouver Island University with a Bachelor of Arts, Recreation, and Tourism Management
2020
Dylan Myers
Langara College, Bachelor of Recreation Management
2020
Megan Fortune
Vancouver Island University, Recreation and Tourism Management
2020
Nicole Bracewell
University of Victoria, Recreation and Health Education
2024 Julia Olsen
2024 Victoria Jackson
2024 Victoria Koutstaal
2023 Maggie Conway
2023 Andrea Pearson
2022 Ashton Aumen
2022 Julie Kaufman
2022 Keenan Bevan
2021 Alanna Tieszen
2021 Dave Osborne
2020 Dylan Myers
2020 Megan Fortune
2020 Nicole Bracewell
DB Perks Young Professionals Aquatics Award
Nominations open September 2027
The DB Perks Young Professional Aquatics Award shines a spotlight on rising stars in aquatics. Presented every two years at BCRPA’s Ripple Effects Aquatics Conference, this award honours young professionals whose talent, drive, and leadership potential are set to make waves in the field of aquatics for years to come.
Confirm Eligibility
Make sure your nominee meets the following eligibility criteria:
- Ages 18–30
- Currently employed part-time or full-time at a BCRPA member organization
- Minimum two years of employment in the aquatics sector
Select Your Nominee
Choose the nominee who best meets the award criteria.
Complete the Nomination Form
Nominations for this award will open September 2027.
September 2027
Call for nomination opens
The Award Nominees must show a commitment to aquatics leadership that supports cultivating vibrant, active, and inclusive communities where everyone thrives.
Nominees must meet the following criteria:
- Be between the ages of 18-30,
- Be currently working part-time or full-time for a BCRPA member organization, and
- Must have a minimum of two years employment in the aquatics sector.
Nominations for this award will open September 2027.
Each nominee will be evaluated on the following:
- Personal achievements and contributions to aquatics,
- Demonstrated excellence in the aquatics recreation field,
- Significant impact in the aquatics sector, e.g. by demonstrated leadership and commitment to creating active, healthy, and connected communities and demonstrated support for and encouragement of greater diversity, equity, and inclusion in aquatics, and
- Desire to advance their education and training in aquatic leadership certification/post-secondary education.
Nominations received will be evaluated by a BCRPA committee based upon the selection criteria. BCRPA will inform the nominator and the successful awardee of the selection outcome.
2023
Wyatt Kupferschmidt
Wyatt Kupferschmidt, from the City of Parksville, was awarded the 2023 DB Perks Young Professionals Aquatics Award during BCRPA’s Ripple Effects aquatics conference, October 20, 2023, part of the first ever Active Professionals Conference.
Wyatt is a full-time Aquatic Team Leader at Ravensong Aquatic Centre, who has been delivering high quality aquatic services to communities in the Oceanside area of central Vancouver Island in this role since November 2021.
Wyatt is a natural leader who has made a significant impact in the field by advancing aquatics safety, as a positive role model within his team, and through his extensive volunteer roles through his aquatics career.
2021
Jessica Portsmouth
Jessica Portsmouth, from the City of Cranbrook, was awarded the 2021 DB Perks Young Professional Aquatics Award during BCRPA’s Ripple Effects aquatics workshop, November 24, 2021.
Jessica has demonstrated exemplary leadership within aquatics and as a community member. Through her drive to spearhead new initiatives, act as a mentor, engage her community in aquatic opportunities and trainings, and dive into leadership roles whenever asked, Jessica is a highly deserving recipient of this year’s DB Perks Young Professional Aquatics Award.
2019
Annika Dixon-Reusz
Annika Dixon-Reusz, from the City of Rossland, is the recipient of the inaugural DB Perks Young Professionals Aquatics Award, presented at BCRPA’s Ripple Effects Aquatics Conference.
As Pool Manager at the Rossland Pool, Annika has played a key role in expanding access to water safety education through programs like Swim@School and Swim to Survive. She has developed innovative community events, including the popular Glow Swim, and led ParticipACTION challenges to promote active lifestyles.
Annika’s leadership has strengthened youth engagement and volunteerism, increased program participation, and built a more connected and active community through inclusive, creative, and impactful aquatics programming.
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