Kathleen Eddy – Victoria, British Columbia
Suzanne Hajto – Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Nicole Sooley – Paradise, Newfoundland
Elite Basketball – Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia
Saskatchewan Hot Wheels Basketball Club – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
After reviewing the applications, Cheryl Levitt was touched by the range of worthy applicants. “What an amazing group of young women representing every province from across Canada. Every story was touching, inspiring, and exciting to read. It is so difficult, without knowing the applicants personally, to choose only five. Our family is so proud of each and every applicant and wish them all the best in their future academic, personal, career and community endeavour.” She also recognized that this award keeps the memory of her daughter’s participation in sports for the sheer joy of the camaraderie, the competition and the teamwork alive. “This year, 2005, we reach a new milestone – August 30th will be 10 years since we lost our precious Stacey. Her spirit and her name live on through CAAWS and all these wonderful young women as their reach their goals.”
Theresa Harvey Pruden of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Chair of the CAAWS Board of Directors, is pleased that this year’s recipients have contributed so much to their communities. “Our three individual recipients have all maintained high academic standings, while also balancing participation and leadership in sport and physical activity. The two organizations have created programs that are inclusive, and have fought to break down some of the barriers that keep girls and women from participating in sport. CAAWS is honoured to be associated with the Levitt family, and the Stacey Levitt Scholarship, because it recognizes and encourages these current and future leaders in both sport and in the life of our communities.”
The 2005 individual recipients
Kathleen (Katie) Eddy, Victoria, BC
Katie Eddy, at the age of 18, is headed to the University of Victoria to study sciences with a view to entering Kinesiology. She finished an illustrious high school career at Glenlyon Norfolk School (GNS) in Victoria, excelling in all areas of the academic curriculum. She had the top academic average in her grade for 5 consecutive years. Grade 12 subject awards in English, calculus, and biology, and multiple combined awards recognized her excellence in academics and sports. Throughout her high school career she led many volleyball and soccer teams to local, Island, and Provincial titles, acquiring All Star recognition on many occasions. She is the 1st female to have been recognized as the Most Valuable Player twice at the BC Championships for soccer. In addition to her extensive school involvement in sport, she also found time to enjoy elite participation in soccer, representing the Lower Island Metro league and more recently playing on a successful women’s Division 1 team. Her ability to balance a very hectic athletic life, and a rigorous academic schedule, with her community involvement at her school is remarkable. She spent countless hours running the intramural sports program at GNS, organizing officials for various sporting events and also acting as a liaison between the students and a local fitness facility. This provided girls at the school with vital knowledge and practical assistance in developing lifelong fitness habits, combating the prevalent problems of eating disorders in young women. She concluded her high school career by winning the inaugural Governor’s Trophy at GNS that recognizes, by a vote of her peers and staff, an individual who demonstrates excellence and leadership in many areas of school life.
Suzanne Hajto – Charlottetown, PEI
Suzanne Hajto has not allowed a series of personal tragedies to keep her from pursuing her goals. During difficult times in her life, she turned to education, humanitarianism and physical activity as coping mechanisms. This September, she will enter her fourth and final year as a Foods and Nutrition major at the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI), where she is an honours student. Originally from Ottawa, she has chosen to volunteer for community service opportunities that are nutrition-related. Working with the Meals on Wheels and Meal Mates programs with the Queen Elizabeth Hospital has given her real life experiences that link nutrition and health. She particularly enjoyed the opportunity to visit seniors in their homes, and to improve their quality of life through nourishing meals. She also indulged her passion for travel by attending the University of Salamanca, Spain last summer to learn Spanish. This summer she received a research grant from the Canadian Institute of Health Research to validate the foods available in PEI elementary schools prior to the new Healthy Eating policy to be implemented province-wide in September across the island. Following graduation as a registered dietician she also wants to become a certified aerobics instructor so that she can motivate others to live healthy lives through nutrition and physical activity.
Nicole Sooley – Paradise, NL
A gymnast, coach, gymnastics judge, and aspiring physiotherapist, Nicole Sooley recently graduated with honours from high school. After trying several different sports as a child, she has been a competitive gymnast for 10 years, training 15-20 hours a week, currently at Campia Gymnastics Club. A member of provincial teams since 2000, travelling to Atlantic and Eastern Championships, she was the 1st alternate for the 2003 Canada Winter Games Team. She was named female athlete of the year for the town of Paradise in 2003-2004, and was 1st runner up for 2004-2005. She has given back to her sport by coaching young gymnasts. She loves promoting fun, fairness and human development—both physical and emotional in young children. She coaches Recreational, Pre-competitive, and a program adapted for children with Down’s Syndrome. She teaches gymnastics skills so that children have fun, work together as team mates to help each other, and build self-confidence through personal accomplishments and praise. In the past year, she has struggled through two knee surgeries including ACL reconstruction. Unable to compete, she continued to coach, and attended every practice to support her team mates through their competition season. When her competitive days are over, she plans to continue her involvement in sport through coaching and judging. The next step in her life is to attend Memorial University to pursue a Bachelor of Kinesiology, leading to her goal of becoming a Physiotherapist. She hopes to specialize in Sports Injuries, helping others to recover from injury and to achieve their goals.
The 2005 organizational recipients
Elite Basketball – Cape Breton Island, NS
This program, barely out of its infancy, represents a new opportunity for young females in Cape Breton Regional Municipality. Elite Basketball promotes physical fitness and healthy living, developing skill in sport and acquiring life-essential skills. This club environment is open to all young women, aged 7-17, who share an interest or a passion for the game of basketball, a desire to learn the fundamentals or to succeed at a high level, and have an appetite for fun through learning and socializing. Recognizing that fees can be a barrier to participation, this club operates without imposing registration fees that may limit the ability of someone to take part. Instead, it seeks the support of corporate citizens and gathers resources from fundraising endeavours by a committed group of volunteers and youth members. The program has emerged in an area faced with significant economic challenges, to help young females recognize their athletic potential, to develop leadership and confidence and to encourage healthy living. In a very short period of time, through community contributions, volunteer efforts and enthusiastic leadership by their two dedicated coaches, Elite Basketball has opened its doors to 75 girls from rural communities on the eastern tip of Nova Scotia. They are flourishing and excelling in the program, and have begun to successfully compete in provincial championships where they continue to have a club focus, and allow as many members as possible to experience tournament play.
Saskatchewan Hot Wheels Basketball Club – Saskatoon, SK
The Saskatchewan Hot Wheels Wheelchair Basketball Club was formed two years ago when one strong-willed disabled female became tired of always having to play on men’s teams during wheelchair basketball games. She began the overwhelming task of recruiting and building a women’s club of her own, which has now grown to a core group of 10-12 members that continues to expand. This group of women between the ages of 14 – 30 is based in Saskatoon. The majority of its members are females with a disability (a spinal cord injury – sustained because of a car accident, spinal bifida, cerebral palsy, knee injuries, etc.). They enjoy that wheelchair basketball allows total inclusion by all. Anyone with or without a disability can play, and so these women can play this sport alongside able-bodied friends. Throughout its two year existence, the, club has competed at the Canadian Wheelchair Basketball Championships (CWBL) in 2003 and 2004. This opportunity allowed the club to grow as a team and to develop as players. For many of the athletes, participating on the team gives them a sense of belonging. Many have overcome some kind of obstacle, often including rigorous rehabilitation and training, just to be able to push their wheelchairs. Although their goal is to one day win gold at the Women’s CWBL, they strive to overcome life’s challenges and to be the best that they can be.
CAAWS wants to see more girls and women participating and leading in sport and physical activity. A not-for-profit organization, CAAWS offers a number of services, programs and resources to a variety of clients, including sport and physical activity organizations, teachers, coaches, health professionals and recreation leaders. CAAWS works in close co-operation with government and non-government organizations on activities and initiatives that advocate for positive change and gender equity for young girls and women in the sport and physical activity communities.
