Skate Ontario Recognition Awards 2020-2021 Club Award

Elora and District Skating Club

• Offered virtual exercise classes to skaters when they were unable to get on the ice • Added new programming (power skating) geared at hockey players unable to play hockey but to keep their skills strong • Navigated the different restrictions beautifully to allow as many skaters on the ice as possible at various times throughout the year • Did a virtual end of year show for parents, families and friends to enjoy which is always a favourite for skaters to show off their skills! Club Volunteer Award

Brandi Schott Brant Skating Club

• Handled new schedules, new COVID protocols, high performance training ice and negotiated with the city and facilities for ice time for our skaters • Went above and beyond not only for the skaters but all club members – coaches and parents alike • During lockdowns she set up online classes to appeal to all skaters and when it was announced arenas can open it was Brandi who fought for ice not only for the club, but other organizations in the community that use the arenas • A huge influence in getting Canada's pair teams to the World Championships this season

Coach Award

Nancy Lemaire Milton Skating Club

• Through her efforts the skaters were able to not only maintain their physical conditions but even become stronger – both physically and mentally • Had weekly mental health workshops with all skaters to make sure everyone stayed positive and address some competition anxiety issues for future competitions • Dealing with COVID-19 and having to adapt to the ever changing rules and restrictions, she has been able to quickly pivot and help direct the club through this pandemic • Created motivation activities for all STARSkate and competitive and elite athletes at the club • Involved and headed the committee for the club to be the “Hub” location for Sectionals and Challenge events • Coached Madeline Schizas to win the Senior Ladies Challenge event and also at the 2021 World Championships placing 9th in the short program and 13th overall Officials Award

Cherie Alexander West Toronto Skating Club

• Longtime volunteer in skating • Volunteered her time several times during the pandemic to skaters via Zoom • Lead several seminars with skaters talking about judging and marking and how it all works • Very positive and has been interactive with the kids in an amazing way

Spirit Award

Carlea Wilkie-Ellis Orillia Club

• Has not let this pandemic change her love and enthusiasm for the sport of figure skating • Arrived early to the rink and welcomed the skaters into the screening area, never complained about putting her skates on outside and always had a smile on her face • Joined off ice sessions on zoom working hard to maintain her jumps. Even when there were harder elements that she could not do, she would try them and cheer on the skaters who were performing them • Always goes to the rink with a positive attitude and COVID didn’t change that Challenge Breakthrough Performance Award

Madeline Schizas Long Program

Milton Skating Club

*voted on by the skaters who competed at the 2021 Challenge Skater Award

Leah Chan – STAR 2 Sapling Skating School

• She has improved tremendously through online off ice programming this year • Despite only being a STAR 2 skater (and STAR 1 in Freeskate), she has managed to learn all single jumps off of the ice and she is now also working on her doubles • During on ice programming, she is a very hard worker who always engages with her peers, from a distance, with the hopes of helping their development as well as her own • Her positive energy is always appreciated by her coaches and all those around her Skater Award

Erin Ekker – STAR 2/3 Blackstock Skating Club

• Due to the small size of the rink, Blackstock Arena could not open due to COVID protocols. She still took the initiative to continue doing what she loves by skating with the Port Perry Skating Club. • As hard as it was to be dealing with the pandemic, the changes to school, the Blackstock SC not running and her mom losing her battle with cancer, she remained positive and a strong leader Skater Award

Hallee Nugent – STAR 6 Northern Lights School of Skating

• Always first to first to participate in all sessions - on ice, off ice and virtual • Shares resources and program ideas to help STAR skaters continue to develop and foster passion for the sport • A dedicated PA for the club’s learn to skate programs, a leader and many young skaters and PAs look up to her • She is currently seeking opportunities to become a Skate Canada coach and will no doubt be a lifelong member and give back to the sport Skater Award Anthony MacDonald Pre-Novice Char-Lan Skating Club

• Skated his way through COVID, skating 5 days per week with a 1 hour commute to and from the rink each day • Never let anything stand in the way of his desire to train harder and become a better skater and ice dance partner • Excellent time management, punctual, hard-working, polite, persevering, encouraging, driven, excellent listener, healthy lifestyle and overall love and enthusiasm for the challenge that sport presents • Excellent role model, both on and off the ice Skater Award

Hayley McGuire – Junior Women Gloucester Skating Club

• Has always been an excellent role model for younger and fellow skaters, and always brightens up any arena she walks into • Continues to go above and beyond what is required for her to succeed, and always has words of encouragement for her peers, whether they have excelled or are simply needing some positive thoughts and a friendly face in a tough time • She is a true leader, leading by example, always putting in 110% at each and every training session, virtual or in person • Shows compassion to other skaters when they may have been having a hard day • Shows how resilient one can be if you push through each and every day no matter if it was a good day or bad day • Always makes herself available if a younger skater wanted to chat or needed some help Synchro Skater Award

Marie-Ève Oullet Gold Ice

• Her always positive attitude and impeccable work ethic make her an absolute pleasure to work with • She goes to every training session ready to give it her all which is an inspiration and incredibly motivating to her teammates • In only her second year at the junior level and with Gold Ice, she seamlessly moved into a leadership role • Makes sure new skaters felt welcome. She did this not only at the Junior level, but for other Gold Ice teams as well - reaching out to new skaters to welcome them to the Gold Ice family • She has also eagerly volunteered to attend additional virtual training sessions with the Novice and Intermediate teams to help lead exercises

Congratulations to all of the winners of the Skate Ontario Recognition Awards!

2020-2021

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