Congratulations to the 2012 Stacey Levitt Women and Sport Scholarship Recipients!
Chelsea Donelon, Edmonton, Alta. – Sit Skiing / Para-Swimming
Erin Mielzynski, Collingwood, Ont. – Alpine Skiing
Robyn Millson, Simcoe, Ont. – Hockey
Lisa Nakajima, Delta, B.C. – Judo
Alana Nicklin, Pondstream, N.B. – Ringette
Chelsea Donelon,
Edmonton, Alta. – Sit Skiing / Para-Swimming
Chelsea Donelon grew up ski racing. She loved every aspect of it – the exertion, being outside, etc. She competed throughout Western Canada and with only 6 months to go until she was old enough to get international points, her world changed. In 2008 Chelsea, a grade 11 student at the time, suffered devastating injuries in a car accident that claimed the lives of her mother and grandparents. She broke two vertebrae in her back, both ankles, one thigh bone and both arms and was paralyzed from the waist down. After months of recovery and despite being terrified, Chelsea tried sit skiing and felt alive once again. Since then, she has not looked back. Her sports’ record is extensive – she skis, surfs, scuba dives and trains her aunt’s horse with Regina trick trainer, Jackie Johnson.
An avid para-swimmer, Chelsea wanted to give back to the community that treated her so well. Upon graduation, she returned to her high school as a coach where she gets the opportunity to guide and watch the young girls she coaches grow into young women. She successfully lobbied City Council to keep Scona Pool open as part of the Save Scona Pool Action Team. Furthermore, simply by continuing to be involved in sports despite a paralyzing spinal cord injury, Chelsea has pushed the high school swim league and the Alberta Summer Swimming Association to create and expand their para- competition categories.
Chelsea is currently pursuing her undergraduate degree at the University of Alberta and is involved on campus, holding executive positions in the Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority. She is also heavily involved with the Edmonton Folk Music Festival. The money from the scholarship will be used to cover training costs for Chelsea to join the North Edmonton Summer Swim Team, not only allowing her to be more active but also enabling her to continue her advocacy efforst to increase para-swimming opportunities at both the regional and provincial levels. The scholarship will also allow her to expand her swimming knowledge base and learn from the best coaches, making her a better coach for high school girls.
Erin Mielzynski,
Collingwood, Ont. – Alpine Skiing
Since she could walk, Ontario’s Erin Mielzynski has participated in many sports including gymnastics, diving, karate and swimming. Erin took up skiing when she was only 18 months old; waterskiing in the summer and alpine skiing in the winter. For many years, she juggled both skiing and school, and graduated high school with high honours in hopes of eventually becoming a veterinarian.
In 2008, Erin made the Canadian Alpine Ski Team and finally had to choose between water and snow. She chose alpine skiing, ending her waterskiing career with a 2nd in Jump at the Junior Worlds and a 1st in Jump at the Junior Masters. However, it was time for Erin to focus entirely on alpine skiing and her Olympic dream. So far, Erin has placed 20th at the Olympics, won a world cup race, and is ranked 15th in the world. Erin is currently training to be a medal contender for the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics. In the summer, the team focuses on the development of knowledge, commitment and confidence through various activities such as cycling at the velodrome, diving and boxing.
Throughout this process Erin has learned to be a good teammate, to live a healthy lifestyle, to work hard work and ultimately, how to give back and help others realize their dreams. She is an ambassador for Fast and Female, and participates in events and videos to empower girls and young women through sport. Erin travels to schools and ski clubs to share her story with young students and athletes, and encourage them to follow their dreams. Recognizing the importance of teaching and leading by example, Erin continues to be a positive role model in the lives of others. Erin will use the scholarship money to fund her sport, all while continuing to travel and share her story and learnings to young girls and athletes.
Robyn Millson,
Simcoe, Ont. – Hockey
The daughter of James and Michelle Millson of Simcoe Ontario, Robyn Millson has worked hard to excel in all aspects of her life including academic achievement, community involvement and athletics. Robyn attended Holy Trinity Catholic High School in Simcoe Ontario. She graduated as an Ontario Scholar with a 95% average and was presented with the Headmaster’s Trophy, the Director’s Award and a High Skills Major diploma in Health Sciences. While attending high school, Robyn was heavily involved with varsity hockey, cross-country, rowing and in her student council. She also completed a co-op program in physiotherapy, which ultimately helped her choose her educational path and career direction.
In addition to her athletic and academic achievements, Robyn has dedicated over 350 hours to community service by participating in a mission trip to rural Tennessee, directing a weekly fitness program for elementary students, and participating in Relay for Life for four years now. Robyn is also heavily involved with the Norfolk HERicane’s Girls Hockey Association as a volunteer, referee, competitive hockey player, and a mentor for younger girls.
This September, Robyn will be attending the University of Western Ontario in London where she will start working toward an undergraduate degree in kinesiology, with the ultimate goal of obtaining a master’s degree in physiotherapy. Robyn intends to stay involved with other sporting and volunteer activities, both at Western and in her community. The money obtained from this scholarship will bring Robyn one step closer to accomplishing her dreams. Her passion and drive will help people transform their lives by living an active healthy lifestyle.
Lisa Nakajima,
Delta, B.C. – Judo
Growing up in Delta BC, Lisa Nakajima has always had a passion for sports but after starting judo at age 12, she finally found her soul mate of sports. Taking after both her parents, Lisa got her black belt at age 17 and was promoted to third degree black belt in 2011. She is ranked third nationally in the Senior Women’s -63 kg category and has won 8 national championship medals since she started competing. While her dedication to training and determination to do her best have set her apart, Lisa credits her success in judo through her supportive family and outstanding coaches who have always encouraged her.
In addition to studying, training and competing, Lisa is also a valuable volunteer sensei at the Steveston Judo Club. As an NCCP Level 2 coach, she teaches children’s classes and coaches younger athletes at the local competitions. Lisa strives to be a great role model for all the young athletes, especially the girls and women in this male-dominated sport. She shares her passion and love of sport and hopes to motivate and inspire the people around her.
Outside of judo, Lisa is an enthusiastic student. Graduating from the University of British Columbia in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science in Honors Physiology, she is currently applying to medical schools in hopes of fulfilling her dream of becoming a doctor. The scholarship will be used to further her coaching education and experience, and ultimately achieve her NCCP Level 3.
Alana Nicklin,
Pondstream, N.B. – Ringette
From the small town of Minto NB, Alana Jami Nicklin was born to be on skates. Alana got her first pair of skates at the age of 4 years old and hasn’t looked back yet. She started playing ringette at the age of 5 and fell instantly in love with the sport. Throughout the years, she has been invovled in many other sports including basketball, softball, volleyball and downhill skiing, but ringette was always her favourite.
At any time during the winter, Alana can most likely be found at the rink. She not only plays for the University of New Brunswick (UNB), but she also coaches the Capital Area Thunder U16 competitive team, and referees all through the season, and is often seen at the rink volunteering with younger players and teaching power skating. In doing so, she hopes to inspire and encourage young girls to work hard and live a healthy active lifestyle. In 2011, Alana represented New Brunswick as captain of the provincial team at the National Championships held in Cambridge ON. She has also had a chance to play in the Eastern and Atlantic Championships respectively.
This coming fall, Alana will be entering her 3rd year of Business Administration at UNB. Her future plan is to major in accounting. Alana will use the scholarship fund to obtain her NCCP Level 2 and offset travel expenses she incurs as a coach and referee travelling across the province.
