Everyone always asked Jake Weitz, 'besides farming, what do you want to do when you grow up?' At first, he could never give an answer, until he reached Grade 10.
Jake was always a smart kid, and when he applied himself, he received great marks in school. He had done some testing in school and discovered that automotive services was a field that really interested him. He liked fixing things, and growing up as a farm kid meant he was no stranger to machinery breakdowns. Running equipment for thousands of hours requires constant maintenance and repairs. Jake started at a young age, driving quads, riding dirt bikes, and working alongside Grandpa and Dad in the tractors. He transitioned into operating the baler and driving big trucks during seeding and harvest, always eager to learn. Whenever the equipment needed maintenance, Jake was right there, absorbing knowledge from his Dad and Grandpa and eventually taking on the repairs himself.
In Grade 10, Jake learned he could earn credits through the school's Registered Apprentice Program (RAP). He applied at Gil’s Truck and Auto. Jason, Erin, Gil, and Amy saw Jake as a young but eager kid with potential, and they gave him a chance. Boy, did that chance pay off! Jake was smart and undeniably a hard worker; it was rare they came across a kid with such a strong work ethic. He was punctual and took pride in his work, whether it was sweeping the floors or changing tires. Gradually, he earned their trust and confidence. Jake went on to graduate from Didsbury High School and subsequently enrolled in Automotive Services at Red Deer Polytechnic. He completed his apprenticeship hours at Gil’s Truck and Auto during the day and worked on the farm in the evenings and weekends.
Jake’s family was immensely proud of him. He was a kind and amazing young man, always ready to help. His Mom would call asking, 'Jake, can you do an oil change for me?' or 'Jake, my check engine light is on,' and he would assist her happily. His friends would reach out saying, 'Jake, I need to drop a new tranny in my truck,' and he would respond, 'Ok, let’s do it this weekend.' He was always there to lend a hand.
Tragically, Jake passed away just two days after completing his 2nd year in Automotive Services. In the days that followed, his mother created the memorial scholarship in his honor.
We want Jake’s beautiful legacy, love for mechanics, and passion for learning to live on through this scholarship origin.