RMA is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025 scholarship! Each year, RMA awards five $1,000 scholarships to students who call an RMA member municipality home. The scholarships are awarded based on community involvement, academic achievement, and how applicants see their education promoting their rural communities.
Winners of the 2025 scholarship are as follows:
- District 1 Recipient: Avery Dillabough
- District 2 Recipient: Eythan Young
- District 3 Recipient: Gayoung Park
- District 4 Recipient: Kjersten Opdahl
- District 5 Recipient: Brielle Bernier
BACKGROUND
A brief biography for the recipient for each district is presented below.
District 1
- Recipient: Avery Dillabough, MD of Acadia
- Avery is the RMA scholarship recipient in recognition of her outstanding commitment to her municipality. She has dedicated countless volunteer hours to various community programs while consistently maintaining strong academic performance throughout high school. Avery plans to return to her community as an educator, continuing her passion for service by teaching in a local school and giving back to the place that shaped her.
District 2
- Recipient: Eythan Young, Red Deer County
- Eythan is the RMA scholarship recipient in recognition of his exceptional dedication to his family, education, and community. As the valedictorian of his 2025 graduating class, he demonstrated both academic excellence and leadership. Eythan plans to pursue a career in mechatronics engineering, with the goal of applying his knowledge to support and innovate within the agricultural sector, particularly on his own family’s farm—while continuing to contribute meaningfully to his local community
District 3
- Recipient: Gayoung Park, Westlock County
- Gayoung is the RMA scholarship recipient in recognition of her strong academic dedication and commitment to community service. A passionate volunteer, she actively contributes to local initiatives while valuing time spent with her family. Gayoung aspires to become a medical researcher, with a focus on advancing the understanding of traditional medicines. She hopes to bring this knowledge back to her community to support its health and well-being.
District 4
- Recipient: Kjersten Opdahl, County of Grande Prairie
- Kjersten is the RMA scholarship recipient in recognition of her dedication to education and her commitment to rural communities. Currently working as a respite care provider, she actively contributes to the well-being of those in her community. Kjersten believes this experience will enrich her future career as a teacher, as she strives to bring quality education back to her rural roots.
District 5
- Recipient: Brielle Bernier, MD of Bonnyville
- Breille is the RMA scholarship recipient in recognition of her dedication to her rural municipality through both volunteer work and active participation in community sports. She aspires to become a nurse and is committed to returning to her hometown to continue giving back to the community that shaped her.
Tammy Reil
Administrative Coordinator
825.319.2383
tammyr@rmalberta.com