Shanna Davy, Ontario – Gymnastics
Rachael Gardner, Ontario – Pentathlon
Kaley Gilham, Alberta – Baseball/Volleyball
Claudia Larouche, Quebec – Athlete/Sports Journalist
Tameecka Osbourne, Ontario – Basketball
As always, Cheryl Levitt was touched by the wide range of worthy applicants. “We recognize and appreciate the impressive applications – the hard work that went into preparing them and the amazing accomplishments of each applicant. This was a very difficult decision as usual. I wish that we could award each young woman Stacey’s scholarship, and we wish every one who applied success in their future goals and dreams.”
Janice Forsyth of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Chair of the CAAWS Board of Directors, is pleased to see such remarkable contributions from the five recipients, many of whom have overcome demanding obstacles to pursue their dreams. “We are so pleased to be associated with the Levitt family, who have chosen to honour their remarkable daughter by recognizing and encouraging others. This is the 11th year CAAWS has facilitated the administration of the Stacey Levitt Women and Sport Scholarship, and we continue to be humbled by the significant contributions these young women, and indeed all those who applied, make to our communities. We want to encourage all of them to continue giving their leadership to both sport and community life.”
The 2007 individual recipients
Shanna Davy, Prescott, Ontario
First as a competitive gymnast, and now as a coach, Shanna Davy has spent the majority of her life involved in the sport of Women’s Artistic Gymnastics. She brings both dedication and passion to coaching the sport she loved as a competitor. While completing a B.Sc. Honours degree at the University of Toronto, she coached children and youths at two Toronto YM-YWCAs, as well as coaching young adults at the University of Toronto. After graduation, she coordinated the education and development of all new coaches in Ontario with the sport’s governing body, Gymnastics Ontario, while also completing her Bachelor of Education. She now coaches part-time and teaches high school Phys. Ed. and Biology. This fall, Shanna is excited to begin a Masters of Educational Counselling at the University of Ottawa. She plans to use the skills she will acquire, as well as her connections at Gymnastics Ontario, to oversee the creation of province-wide educational programs targeting parents, coaches and young, impressionable female athletes concerning issues of over-training, disordered eating and self-esteem.
Rachael Gardner, Ottawa, Ontario
Rachael Gardner was a competitive swimmer for three years before her coach introduced her to modern pentathlon (pistol shooting, swimming, fencing, horse-back riding, and cross-country running). She has now been competing in this exciting and demanding sport for three years, and has been on the Canadian developmental national team for two years. The accomplishment that she is most proud of is the bronze medal she won at the Youth Pan Am Championships in Mexico, 2006. Rachael cites the greatest influences in her athletic career as all the women in her sport who have challenged her with their determination and dedication to excellence. Besides training, Rachael enjoys her studies at Carleton University’s College of the Humanities. Rachael looks forward to the next years of training, where her short-term goals include qualifying for the Junior World Championships. Long-term, she would like to represent Canada in the Modern Pentathlon at the Summer Olympic Games.
Kaley Gilham, Red Deer, Alberta
At 19 years of age, Kaley Gilham is beginning her second year of Kinesiology and Sports Studies at Red Deer College. She is working towards a Masters in Physical Therapy and a Coaching and Sports Performance diploma. An all-round athlete, she has played almost every sport that was available to her, including baseball, volleyball, hockey, basketball, soccer, track & field, and rugby. In 2004, she was the youngest member named to the first Canadian Women’s National Baseball team that competed in the 1st Women’s World Cup of Baseball in Edmonton, Alberta. Sidelined by an ACL injury, she missed out on playing with the National Team in the 2nd Women’s World Cup in Taipei. Her injury recovered in time to play volleyball for Red Deer College, but subsequent surgery provided her with a different challenge. She has taken up coaching this summer, and was named an assistant coach for the Bantam Girl’s Provincial Team. Her goal is to be ready for the upcoming volleyball season and to be chosen for the National Women’s Baseball Team for the 3rd World Cup in 2008. Kaley also plans to pursue the highest coaching certification possible for baseball.
Claudia Larouche, La Baie, Québec & St. John’s, Newfoundland
Despite being deaf since birth, nothing has stopped Claudia Larouche from pursuing her two passions, sports and journalism. At a young age, she participated in several sports, including karate, horseback riding and swimming. Today, the 26 year-old actively bikes, walks, and plays Ultimate Frisbee. During her university studies, she specialized in sports journalism, working for Radio-Canada’s sports website and volunteering at the Canadian Deaf Sports Association’s international events. Throughout her volunteer career, Claudia has attempted to sensitize people to the limitations faced by deaf athletes. She encourages young adolescents to be physically active on a regular basis by educating them about its life-long benefits. Born in La Baie, Québec, Claudia is undertaking her Masters in Community Health at Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador. Her thesis focuses on youth and physical activity. She plans to work with schools and communities to develop and improve physical activity programs for youth. She intends on using her bursary towards her Master’s research. She is also working part-time for the Francophone newspaper in her adopted province.
Tameecka Osbourne, Toronto, Ontario – Basketball
A senior guard with the Eastern Commerce Collegiate (ECC) girls’ basketball team, Tameecka Osbourne is one of the best defenders in Ontario. She led the ECC team to two consecutive city championships. As a member of the Toronto Five-O Under-19 Juvenile team, she captained that team to two tournament championships, a top Ontario ranking and two quarterfinal appearances at the Ontario Cup. Throughout her career she has been selected for a number of elite programs, including the Nike Centre for Performance and Provincial Development Teams. Although small in stature, she leads by example and plays the game with focus and an infectious enthusiasm and energy. She is a gifted athlete who demonstrates tremendous poise, competitive spirit, dedication, integrity, loyalty, commitment and class both on and off the basketball court. Off the court, she is a positive role model who volunteers with a number of community projects. A strong student, Tameecka is well on her way to achieving her goal of playing basketball at the university level, with significant interest from a number of Canadian and US schools.
