Montreal, January 24, 2025 — The year 2025 was officially kicked off—as has been the tradition for more than a decade now—with the Aléo and Georges St-Pierre Foundations’ scholarship awards ceremony, which spotlighted seven up-and-coming student-athletes in combat sports and gymnastics. A total of 15,000 $ in scholarships and services was distributed during the ceremony.
Always generous with advice and sharing, Georges St-Pierre offered much more than a check to the seven 2025 recipients. As every year, he made a point of being present to personally get to know his scholarship holders and paid special attention, coupled with a genuine interest, to each athlete regarding their successes and challenges. The recipients thus had the opportunity to chat and even give a demonstration of their discipline with the former mixed martial arts world champion, philanthropist, and entrepreneur.
One of the objectives of the Georges St-Pierre Foundation Scholarship Program is to support student-athletes practicing sports that the athlete himself incorporated into his training: boxing, fencing, artistic gymnastics, judo, karate, wrestling, and taekwondo.
The Maison du loisir et du sport was transformed into a dojo for the occasion as tatamis were installed for the presentation, allowing for friendly demonstrations of all the sports featured during the ceremony. Benoit Beaudoin, reporter – mixed martial arts journalist, was the guest host of the event.
In their own words:
«Every year, the scholarship presentation we do with the Aléo Foundation is a moment that I love. While the young people are happy to share this moment with me and I share a piece of my story with them, I want to emphasize that it is just as enriching for me to meet them. They are human beings who are building themselves with determination, choosing paths that are not the easiest, but which they are passionate about. I see myself in them. The sports disciplines chosen, individually and combined, have forged the person I have become. It is important to me to recognize this contribution and to encourage young people to keep going down this path.»
– Georges St-Pierre
«It is truly a privilege to count on Georges St-Pierre for over 10 years. For these young people, meeting this world-renowned champion offers an experience that exponentially enhances the scholarship received. And it's not just through his aura; Georges is genuinely interested in the recipients, he inspires everyone he meets, and he is very generous with every person present. We are very grateful to have him among our allies.»
– Patricia Demers, Executive Director of the Aléo Foundation
2025 Recipients
Georges St-Pierre Foundation Program
Mathis Falcon-Korb – Fencing
17 years old – Mercier
2000 $ – 1Re GSP Foundation Scholarship and 2e from the Aléo Foundation
- Studies Natural Sciences at Cégep André-Laurendeau.
- Finished the 2023-2024 season at the top of the Canadian cadet rankings.
- This season, he is aiming for selection to the World Junior Championships and the Junior Pan American Championships.
Mathis Falcon-Korb finished the 2023-2024 season at the top of the Canadian cadet rankings. The Mercier fencer's record also features a 6th-place finish at the 2024 Pan American Championships in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Natural Sciences student at Cégep André-Laurendeau, who is passionate about chess, is aiming this season for selection to the Junior World Championships and the Junior Pan American Championships!
Alyssa Guerrier Calixte – Artistic Gymnastics
15 years old – Laval (now lives in Terrebonne)
2000 $ – 1Re GSP Foundation and Aléo Foundation scholarship
- Studying in a sports-study program, in 4th yeare high school, at École Des Sources.
- Canadian junior floor champion and 3e on the bars at the Canadian Championships, in June 2024.
- In her first year as a senior, Alyssa wants to rank among the top 5 gymnasts in the country.
Canadian junior floor champion in artistic gymnastics, Alyssa Guerrier-Calixte is making the jump to the senior level this season. The 4th-year studente high school student at École Des Sources, who grew up in Laval and now lives in Terrebonne, hopes to rank among the top 5 gymnasts in the country this year. Among her notable achievements, she finished 4the at the International Gymnix vault in Montreal in March 2024. Remember her name, as Alyssa dreams of an Olympic podium.
Josué Kouie – Olympic Boxing
15 years old – Montreal (Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve)
2000 $ – 1Re GSP Foundation Scholarship and 2e from the Aléo Foundation
- Study in 4e high school at École Édouard-Montpetit.
- Won the 2024 Canadian Championships in their category.
- This year, Joshua is aiming for another victory at the Canadian Championships, as well as wins in international competitions.
In 2024, Josué Kouie, from Montreal, won the Canadian championship title in his category in Olympic boxing! The 4th-year studente high school at École Édouard-Montpetit wants to climb back to the highest step of the Canadian Championships in 2025, in addition to winning bouts on the international stage!
Antoine Ouellet – Karate
13 years old – Gatineau
2000 $ – 1Re GSP Foundation and Aléo Foundation scholarship
- Study in 2e high school at École Polyvalente Nicolas-Gatineau.
- Canadian juvenile champion (under 45 kg) in July 2024, in Laval.
- This season, Antoine hopes to win the national title again and return to the Pan American Championships to improve upon his recent performance, having finished 7the at these championships, in Brazil, in 2024.
Karate is a family affair for Antoine Ouellet, who excels on the tatami just like his two younger brothers. The secondary 2 student at École Polyvalente Nicolas-Gatineau was crowned Canadian champion in the juvenile division (under 45 kg) in July 2024 in Laval. The student-athlete aspires to become a police officer while remaining involved in his sport!
Maude Ricard – Taekwondo
17 years old – Quebec
2000 $ – 1Re GSP Foundation and Aléo Foundation scholarship
- Study in natural sciences at Cégep Garneau.
- Silver medalist at the Senior Canadian Championships in March 2024 in her weight category.
- Her main objective is to win the Canadian Senior Championships to be selected for the national team. This would also allow her to participate in the World Championships in Glasgow.
Multiple international medalist over the past two years and silver medalist at the Senior Canadian Championships in March 2024, Maude Ricard, from Quebec City, is making her mark in the world of taekwondo. In January 2025, Maude will officially begin her senior career. Her main goal is to win the Senior Canadian Championships in order to be selected for the national team. This would also allow her to participate in the World Championships in Glasgow.
«I believe that resilience and perseverance are the two words that best describe my athletic journey. From a shy little girl who won few fights in her early years in the sport, I was able to become an elite athlete who competes with the best in the world in my category. My journey has not been a smooth ride, but has been filled with ups and downs during which I have always managed to keep my head above water and progress continuously while maintaining my motivation. I would one day like to inspire youngsters starting out in sports to persevere despite difficulties.» — Maude Ricard
Bryce Rooney – Wrestling
18 years old – Beaconsfield
2000 $ – 1Re GSP Foundation and Aléo Foundation scholarship
- Studies Science and Health at Vanier College.
- Finished second in the under-19 category at the Canadian Championships last year.
- This season, he is aiming to go from the second to the first step of the podium at the Canadian Championships!
In 2024, Bryce Rooney won his first medal in a national competition by finishing second (under 71 kg) in the under-19 division at the Canadian Championships. This season, the Beaconsfield wrestler aims to go from the second to the first step of the podium at the Canadian Championships! In addition to Olympic wrestling, the Vanier College student enjoys taking the stage for stands up or theater and is very acrobatic! A post-career in professional wrestling?
Roman Semyrozum – Judo
14 years old – Westmount
2000 $ – 1Re GSP Foundation and Aléo Foundation scholarship
- Study in 2e secondary school with a sports-study focus at Collège de Montréal.
- Is currently the Canadian and Quebec champion of his age in his weight category.
- This season, Roman wants to continue learning and improving, as he competes in a new weight class.
Roman proudly follows in the footsteps of his father, Volodymyr Semyrozum, who made his mark as a judo athlete before becoming a coach. «My father inspires me every day!» The reigning Canadian and Quebec champion in his age and weight category, Roman is studying in grade 2e secondary school with a sports-study focus at Collège de Montréal.
***
About the Georges St-Pierre Foundation
The Georges St-Pierre Foundation is financially supported by Mr. Georges St-Pierre as well as his numerous sponsors. All funds raised by the Foundation are redistributed to the best organizations and programs dedicated to bullying prevention as well as the promotion of sports and the pursuit of education among youth. gspofficial.com/fr/fondation-gsp
About the Aléo Foundation
Founded in 1985, the Fondation de l’athlète d’excellence (FAEQ) has awarded over $25 million in scholarships to nearly 5,000 outstanding student-athletes from across Quebec. To clarify the organization's mission to empower athletes beyond their sport, the FAEQ changed its name and branding in 2022, now known as the Fondation Aléo. In addition to continuing its scholarship and support services for tomorrow's leaders, it reaffirms its personalized approach, focusing on the overall development and well-being within the performance of its scholarship recipients.
For more information: fondationaleo.ca as well as the Aléo Foundation's official pages on our platforms:
LinkedIn
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Spotify
– 30 –
Annie Dubé
Director of Communications and Marketing
Aléo Foundation
438-884-6636
annie.dube@fondationaleo.ca
Philippe Lepage
Partner
LB3i Sports
plepage@lb3i.com
Aléo Foundation and the Georges St-Pierre Foundation – Georges St-Pierre meets, inspires and gives back to young student-athletes
Montreal, January 24, 2025 — In what has become an annual tradition for nearly a decade, the year 2025 was officially launched with the presentation of scholarships from the Aléo and Georges St-Pierre foundations, shining a spotlight on seven up-and-coming student-athletes in combat sports and gymnastics. A total of $15,000 in scholarships and services was awarded at the event.
Always generous with advice and knowledge, Georges St-Pierre offered much more than a cheque to the seven recipients of this year’s cohort. As he does every year, he made a point of being on hand to get to know the recipients personally, paying special attention and showing genuine interest in each athlete’s successes and challenges. Recipients had the chance to discuss and even demonstrate their discipline with the former world mixed martial arts champion, philanthropist and entrepreneur.
One of the objectives of the Georges St-Pierre Foundation Scholarship Program is to support student-athletes who practice a sport that Georges himself integrates into his preparation: boxing, fencing, artistic gymnastics, judo, karate, wrestling and taekwondo.
The Maison du loisir et du sport was transformed into a dojo for the occasion, and tatamis were set up for the presentation, allowing friendly demonstrations of all the disciplines featured at the event. Benoit Beaudoin, journalist and reporter specializing in mixed martial arts, was guest host for the event.
In their words:
“Every year, the ceremony we organize with the Aléo Foundation is a moment I enjoy. If the young people are happy to share this moment with me, and for me to tell them a bit of my story, I’d like to emphasize that it’s just as enriching for me to go and meet them. They are human beings who build themselves up with determination, who choose paths that are not always the easiest, but for which they are passionate about. I see myself in them. The sports disciplines I have chosen, individually and in combination, have forged the person I have become. It’s important for me to recognize this contribution and encourage young people to pursue this path.”
– Georges St-Pierre
“It’s truly a privilege to have had the support of Georges St-Pierre for over 10 years. For these young people, meeting the world-renowned champion offers an experience that exponentially enhances the scholarship they receive. And it’s not just his aura, Georges takes a genuine interest in the recipients; he inspires all who meet him and is very generous with each and every person in attendance. We are very grateful to count him among our allies.”
– Patricia Demers, Executive Director of the Aléo Foundation
Recipients 2025
Georges St-Pierre Foundation Program
Mathis Falcon-Korb – Fencing
17 years old – Mercier
2000 $ – 1st GSP Foundation Scholarship and 2nd Aléo Foundation Scholarship
- Studying sciences at Cégep André-Laurendeau.
- Ended the 2023-2024 season at the top of the Canadian cadet rankings.
- This season, he is aiming to be selected for the World Junior Championships and the Pan-American Junior Championships.
Mathis Falcon-Korb ended the 2023-2024 season at the top of the Canadian cadet rankings. The Mercier fencer also finished 6th at the Pan-American Championships in Rio, Brazil, in 2024. The science student at Cégep André-Laurendeau, with a passion for chess, is aiming this season to be selected for the World Junior Championships and the Pan-American Junior Championships!
Alyssa Guerrier Calixte – Artistic gymnastics
15 years old – Laval (now living in Terrebonne)
2000 $ – 1st GSP Foundation and Aléo Foundation Scholarship
- Studies in Secondary 4 at École Des Sources.
- Canadian Junior Champion on floor and 3rd on bars at the Canadian Championships in June 2024.
- In her first year as a senior, Alyssa hopes to rank among the top 5 gymnasts in the country.
Canadian junior floor champion in artistic gymnastics, Alyssa Guerrier-Calixte is making the leap to the senior ranks this season. The Secondary 4 student at École Des Sources, who grew up in Laval and now lives in Terrebonne, is aiming to rank among the top 5 gymnasts in the country this year. Among her achievements, she finished 4th on vault at the International Gymnix in Montreal in March 2024. Remember her name, as Alyssa dreams of an Olympic podium.
Josué Kouie – Olympic boxing
15 years old – Montréal (Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve)
2000 $ – 1st GSP Foundation Scholarship and 2nd Aléo Foundation Scholarship
- Secondary 4 at École Édouard-Montpetit
- Won the Canadian Championships in his category in 2024.
- This year, Josué is aiming for another victory at the Canadian championships, as well as victories in international competitions.
In 2024, Montreal’s Josué Kouie became Canadian champion in his Olympic boxing category! By 2025, the Secondary 4 student at École Édouard-Montpetit hopes to be back on the top step of the Canadian Championships, as well as winning bouts on the international scene.
Antoine Ouellet – Karate
13 years old – Gatineau
2000 $ – 1st GSP Foundation and Aléo Foundation Scholarship
- Secondary 2 student at École Polyvalente Nicolas-Gatineau.
- Canadian juvenile champion (under 45 kg), July 2024, Laval.
- This season, Antoine hopes to win the national title again and return to the Pan-American Championships to improve on his recent performance, having finished 7th at these championships in Brazil in 2024.
Karate is a family affair for Antoine Ouellet, who, like his two younger brothers, excels on the tatami. The Secondary 2 student at École Polyvalente Nicolas-Gatineau was crowned Canadian juvenile champion (under 45 kg) in Laval in July 2024. Antoine hopes to become a police officer while remaining involved in his sport!
Maude Ricard – Taekwondo
17 years old – Québec
2000 $ – 1st GSP Foundation and Aléo Foundation Scholarship
- Studying sciences at Cégep Garneau.
- Silver medallist in her weight class at the Canadian Senior Championships in March 2024.
- Her main goal is to win the Canadian Senior Championships and be selected for the national team. This would also enable her to take part in the World Championships in Glasgow.
Multiple international medallist over the past two years, silver medallist at the Canadian Senior Championships in March 2024, Quebec City’s Maude Ricard is making a name for herself on the taekwondo scene. In January 2025, Maude will officially begin her senior career, her main objective being to win the Canadian Senior Championships and to be selected for the national team. This would also enable her to take part in the World Championships in Glasgow.
“I think resilience and perseverance are the 2 words that best describe my sporting career. From the shy little girl who won few fights in her early years of the sport, I was able to become an elite athlete who competes with the best in the world in my category. My journey has not been a smooth one but has been made up of ups and downs during which I’ve always been able to keep my head above water and continually progress while staying motivated. I’d like one day to inspire little ones starting out in the sport to persevere despite the difficulties.” – Maude Ricard
Bryce Rooney – Wrestling
18 years old – Beaconsfield
2000 $ – 1st GSP Foundation and Aléo Foundation Scholarship
- Studying health sciences at Vanier College.
- Finished second in the under-19 category at last year’s Canadian Championships.
- This season, he’s aiming to move from second to first place on the podium at the Canadian Championships!
In 2024, Bryce Rooney won his first medal in a national competition, finishing second (under 71 kg) in the under-19 category at the Canadian Championships. This season, the Beaconsfield wrestler aims to move from second to first place on the podium at the Canadian Championships! In addition to Olympic wrestling, the Vanier College student likes to get up on stage for stand-up comedy or theater and is very acrobatic! Maybe a career in professional wrestling will be in the cards for young Bryce!
Roman Semyrozum – Judo
14 years old – Westmount
2000 $ – 1st GSP Foundation and Aléo Foundation Scholarship
- Secondary 2 student at Collège de Montréal.
- Currently the Canadian and Quebec champion of his age group in his weight category.
- This season, Roman hopes to continue learning and improving, as he fights in a new weight category.
Roman brilliantly follows in the footsteps of his father Volodymyr Semyrozum, who made his mark as a judo athlete before becoming a coach. “My father inspires me every day!”. Reigning Canadian and Quebec champion in his age and weight class.
***
About the Georges St-Pierre Foundation
The Georges St-Pierre Foundation is financially supported by Georges St-Pierre and his numerous sponsors. All funds raised by the Foundation are distributed to organizations and programs that are dedicated to the prevention of bullying and the promotion of sports and education for young people. gspofficial.com/gsp-foundation
About the Aléo Foundation
Founded in 1985, the Foundation for Athletic Excellence (FAEQ) has awarded more than $25 million in scholarships to nearly 5,000 student-athletes from across Quebec. To better reflect the organization’s mission of helping athletes grow beyond sports, the FAEQ changed its name and brand image in 2022, becoming the Aléo Foundation. In addition to continuing to provide scholarships and guidance services to the leaders of tomorrow, it maintains its personalized approach, in which the overall development and well-being of its scholarship recipients are at the heart of its activities.
For more information, please visit fondationaleo.ca or the Aléo Foundation's social media pages:
LinkedIn
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Spotify
– 30 –
Annie Dubé
Director, Marketing and Communications
Aléo Foundation
438-884-6636
annie.dube@fondationaleo.ca
Philippe Lepage
Associate
LB3i Sports
plepage@lb3i.com
