The 32nd edition of the Aléo Foundation's National Bank Bursary Program recognized the achievements of 22 student-athletes, awarding them a total value of $100,000 in bursaries and services. Among the recipients was Alexia Chevrier, a softball player and Saint-Lazare resident, who received $2,000 in financial assistance. 

This is the third time the young athlete has received a monetary bursary under this program supporting elite athletes. La Lazaroise was the recipient of the Best Hitter and All-Star Catcher trophies at the Canadian Championships in the summer of 2023. She is in her 1st year of pre-hospital emergency care at John Abbott College and hopes to work in ambulance services as a paramedic.

"The fundamental support of the National Bank since the 90s has played a central role in the realization of the Foundation's mission and its evolution over three decades of collaboration. The hundreds of athletes recognized and supported by this program today form a pool of leaders working in all spheres of our society. This year's recipients will certainly follow in the footsteps of these inspiring role models," says Martin Lavigne, President of the Fondation Aléo. 

The recipients, from 18 different sports, were recently welcomed to the Maison du Loisir et du Sport, the headquarters of the vast majority of Quebec's sports federations, for the official presentation of the bursaries. Each of these bursaries offers much more than its amount, as it comes with lifetime access to all Fondation Aléo services.

In the presence of Patrick Charlebois, Senior Wealth Advisor and Portfolio Manager at National Bank and ultra-marathon runner, the young people of the 2024 cohort had their sporting and academic achievements highlighted.

This honour will help propel them towards a bright future on the sporting stage and beyond.Many of the 421 student-athletes supported by National Bank over the years have distinguished themselves on the international stage, including triple Olympic medallist and multiple world champion Mikaël Kingsbury, as well as Olympic medallists Jennifer Abel, Catherine Beauchemin-Pinard and Marianne St-Gelais, tennis great Félix Auger-Aliassime, Tour de France stage winner Hugo Houle and many others.

"Once again this year, National Bank is pleased to support the academic and athletic excellence of student-athletes from all regions of Quebec. We are proud to highlight the talent, discipline and determination of these recipients," adds Patrick Charlebois, Senior Wealth Advisor and Portfolio Manager, National Bank.