As an intermediate level figure skating evaluator
and judge, I am very dedicated to the development and well-being
of skaters at various levels. As an evaluator, I assess the progression
of skaters in the test stream on Canada, CAAWS, girls body image,where to play sports,
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As an ice dancer from 1990 - 2001, I accomplished
many things thanks to those who set examples for me. For five
years, my partner and I were provincial champions in categories
from Pre-Juvenile through Novice. In 2001, I was the first skater
in the province to have ever completed the Diamond Dance and Gold
Artistic tests. Over my years skating, I have also completed my
Junior Silver Freeskate test, Bronze Rhythm Dance test, Pre-Novice
Competitive Singles test, Novice Competitive Dance test, and Gold
Skating Skills test. I attended five Atlantic Canadian Championships,
and one national championship and set provincial records. Throughout
these years, I also won several awards. In 1995, I was the Newfoundland
and Labrador Figure Skating Association Skater of the Year. In
1999, I my local club, the Polaris Figure Skating Club, awarded
me their Skater of the Year Award. In 2000, I was honoured with
the Skate Newfoundland and Labrador Judge/Evaluator of the Year
award. I was awarded the Skate Newfoundland and Labrador Test
Skater of the Year in 2001 for my accomplishments, passion, spirit,
and triumph for the sport. The motivation and determination it
took to accomplish all of these things can be attributed largely
to female figures who I looked up to, and aspired to model myself
after.
Today, I am in a position similar to those which
I admired not so long ago. It is now that I am able to make a
difference in the lives of young girls interested in the sport
of figure skating. As I judge and evaluate skaters, I use constructive
criticism to help them reach their goals and to realize their
dreams. Through my hours of time on the ice working with individual
skaters, I directly encourage girls to be the best they can be
and to strive for great things.
In addition to being a judge, evaluator, and monitor, I also contribute
to my sport in a number of other volunteer positions. Since 1994,
I have volunteered my time with the Polaris Figure Skating club
as a program assistant on both the Canskate and Junior/Senior
sessions. Here I have also spent a considerable amount of time
encouraging girls to succeed and to have fun in their sport of
choice. From 1997 to 2002, I was a dance partner for local skaters
trying dance tests. In 2002, my club hosted the Regional Figure
Skating Championships where approximately 65 skaters in the primary
and intermediate levels came from all over Labrador to compete.
For this competition, I held the position of chairperson and looked
after many tasks including public relations, as well as delegated
responsibilities to a committee. I enjoyed this experience as
it not only gave me the chance to exercise my leadership, but
to provide an opportunity for young skaters shine and to further
their love for skating. Most recently, in March of 2002, volunteered
with my club for their annual ice show. I took care of behind-the-scenes
tasks and was the master of ceremonies for the event. This again
gave me the opportunity to interact with the skaters in our club
in a more lighthearted manner.
Outside of skating, I am also involved in many activities
and organizations. Through my high school, I actively participated
in public speaking competitions, I was the 2001/2002 editor of
the yearbook, I served on the Student Council for two years as
a class representative, and participated in Tutoring for Tuition
where I helped students in grade seven through twelve in areas
of chemistry, physics, math, biology, and French. I also played
the french horn in the Menihek High School Senior Concert Band
for three years, and the trumpet in the Senior Stage Band for
two years. In 2001, I was selected by my guidance counsellor to
attend the Interchange on Canadian Studies Conference in Victoria,
British Columbia. In 2001-2002, I also completed the Covey Leadership
Training on the "7 Healthy Habits of Highly Effective Teens".
Within the community, I have worked at the local
McDonald's, Tim Horton's, and Tourism Information Centre in the
past three years. I was also self-employed as I taught piano and
french horn lessons to beginner/intermediate level students. In
2001, I was asked to act as the master of ceremonies for the Town
of Labrador City's 40th Anniversary Celebrations, I completed
my Grade VIII Royal Conservatory of Music Practical Examination
in Piano, and was the pianist for the community choir.
I have also been given awards through my school
and community. October of 2001 saw me win the McDonald's Employee
of the Month award. In 2001-2002, I was honoured with the Town
of Labrador City Youth Volunteer of the Year award. In June of
2002, I won both the University of Toronto National Book Award
and the Menihek High School Outstanding Merit Award. In July of
2002, I was presented with the Newfoundland and Labrador Canada
Day Youth Award.
As I am an active member of my community, I look
forward to promoting the CAAWS/Nike Girls@Play program and act
as a mentor to other girls and women.
I plan to continue training as an evaluator/judge
for many years to come. As I do this, many expenses are incurred
by my family as I have to travel to clinics, competitions for
trial judging, and to test days and competitions to offer my services.
Though most of the costs are offset by Skate Newfoundland and
Labrador or the local clubs which I visit, there are some which
I am responsible for. I am attending post secondary beginning
this fall, and funds are less readily available for my training
as an official. I will not give up though, as figure skating is
truly a passion of mine, and I am dedicated to giving back as
much as those encouraging people have given to me.
Ultimately, I hope to attend World and perhaps Olympic
Championships as a judge. In the next year, I am hoping to achieve
my promotion as a Pre-Novice/Novice level judge as well as a Senior
level evaluator in skills, freeskate, and dance.
A quote which has seen me through my successes and
continues to motivate me is,
"Keep
your head and your heart in the right direction and you'll never
have to worry about your feet."
I often share this quote with skaters I interact
with in hopes of it bringing a touch of inspiration to them as
well.
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