The Morrisburg Figure Skate Club Canskaters put the wraps on their 2015-16 season, Sunday afternoon at the Legion in Morrisburg, with their annual ice cream party.
Seventy-one young skaters are involved in the MFSC Canskate program, and Sunday, they received their report cards indicating their progress through the skate season.
Each year, Skate Ontario recognizes, through its member clubs, Canskater Champions, a Canskater of the Year and a Program Assistant.
This year, skating away with the Skate Canada Canskate Champions Award were Charlotte Barrie and SheeAhn Hunter.
Winners of the Canskate Champions award demonstrate the qualities that embody the “Spirt of a Champion” with emphasis on personal achievement or accomplishment. The award embodies the qualities considered to be a “champion” (commitment, perseverance, dedication, passion, triumph and talent) while “sharing their joy and passion of skating.”
Nominated by club pro Ali VanHoof, 10-year-old Emily Ellerington was named this year’s “Canskater of the Year”.
“Emily has been skating in the CanSkate program for the last two years and has shown enthusiasm and dedication every day she is on the ice,” said Van Hoof in the nomination. “As Emily’s coach for this past season, I’ve gotten to know how very special this little girl is. I’ve learned about the challenges she has faced, both emotionally and physically, from battling a seizure disorder.”
According to VanHoof’s nomination, Emily’s struggle with seizures affected her balance and motor coordination to a point where she lost her ability to sit, stand and walk on her own.
“Looking at Emily now, four years later, I would never have believed what this little girl has been through. She’s always happy and positive. She demonstrates great balance and coordination on the ice, and has successfully accomplished all skills and elements she has been taught. Her talent in skating is shown through her quick progression through the CanSkate program.”
Of Emily’s skating, VanHoof credits her with “beautiful spirals, strong crosscuts and turns and her spins continue to improve”.
“She is a pleasure to coach and is always looking for a challenge in her skating,” says Van Hoof. “Emily has a positive attitude and a great sense of humour, both on and off the ice. She’s never afraid to try new elements and has a strong eagerness to learn and improve her skating skills. Even when Emily finds skating challenging, she always keeps a smile on her face and won’t give up until she has mastered the skill to her fullest potential.”
Honoured as this year’s Skate Canada Program Assistant Award was graduating club skater Tayler Pilon.
The Program Assistant Award is presented to an assistant who has made a significant contribution to his/her club and has proven to be an enthusiastic skater, a great Program Assistant and keen volunteer.
Tayler has been a MFSC program assistant for six years.
“In her teaching role, Tayler continually motivates, encourages and supports our younger skaters who look up to her for guidance,” says club pro Allison Scott in the club’s nomination submission. “She connects well with skaters and keeps them on task with activities that are both interesting and challenging and with her vivacious personality, she always keeps them smiling. ”
As a volunteer, “Tayler has volunteered at club competitions and various fundraising events and she has worked behind the scenes to decorate the arena for the club ice shows.”
Tayler attends St. Joe’s Catholic High School in Cornwall, where she is a member of the yearbook and prom committees, science tutor and has worked on various school projects.
In her community, Tayler is a volunteer at the Hartford Retirement Centre, with the Morrisburg Legion Branch 48 Auxiliary and at Morrisburg Physiotherapy. This past year she was a volunteer at the 2015 Ploughing Match and at Lions Day for the South Dundas Minor Hockey Association.
She was also a participant in the Rick Hanson’s 25th Anniversary Relay when she ran in memory of her grandfather.
“Tayler is an esteemed and valuable member of our skating club, and it has been my pleasure to coach her and also to work alongside her. She is a compassionate team player, with an excellent work ethic and a magnetic personality that will make her successful in anything she does,” says Scott.
The young Canskaters and their parents were welcomed to Sunday’s ice cream party, by club treasurer Ellen Biemond. “It’s been a great year. Thank you to all the parents. We appreciate the commitment from everyone”
Also recognized were the club professionals… “thank you to all of you for all you do to make our Canskate program run smoothly and successfully.”
Each of the Program Assistants were recognized, thanked and presented flowers, before the Canskaters, with much enthusiasm, headed off to the ice cream table.
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