niagara-news.com FASTER THAN FAST SUPERCARS IN TORONTO PAGE 6,7 THE KING OF WAKANDA IS HERE NN PAGE 10 NIAGARA NEWS FEB. 23, 2018 • VOL. 49 ISSUE 9 REPRESENTING CANADA In an exclusive interview, St. Catharines-born Kirsten Moore-Towers talks about being named to Team Canada, her time in Pyeongchang with her partner Michael Marinaro, her family and her favourite career moments By APRIL HOUNSOME Staff Writer Kirsten Moore-Towers has completed her second Olympic journey, and she’s ecstatic about it. “I was persistent, very persistent as a young kid. I worked hard, and I knew what I wanted and I went for it,” she said. “I grew up in St. Catha- rines and I skated there for eleven years in the smallest skating club and, you know, I never listened when people told me it was going to be too hard, or that maybe I couldn’t do it or that I should set my sights on a lower goal.” The 25-year-old pairs skater and her partner, their competition on Feb. 14 Michaelwith a total Marinaro, score of finished 198.11, placing them in 11th. “We had really uncharac- teristically early skate times over here,” said Kirsten. “Normally we skate in the evenings, but due to the time change and prime- time TV I think, we’ve been skating a lot earlier. So, we woke up really early and I was super, super tired.” “Before I get on the ice, I almost always want to vom- it. Terrible. I always ques- because I’m so nervous.” In tionthe stillness, why I’m righta figure before skater the music starts, Kirsten says she takes a big breath and Left to right: Michael Marinaro, Mark Towers, Sherry Towers, Kirsten-Moore Towers and Katie Towers celebrate after the pairs skaters, Continued on page 2 Michael and Kirsten, are named to Team Canada. SUBMITTED PHOTO College to host CCAA Transfer from NC to Brock U championship in 2019 By JER HOUGHTON College education with a not be granted from another “If their program does By BETH AUDET “Anytime you have the op- Staff Writer Brock degree gives students institution or agreement. not have an articulation STAFF WRITER portunity to host a national both hands-on experience With the example of a agreement, they should also championship – from the Niagara College continues and theoretical knowledge, 20-credit degree, depending know what they can expect Niagara College’s Welland student athletes’ perspec- to offer Niagara Educational making them career ready.” on the diploma, a student in terms of transfer credits.” campus will host the Cana- tive, the students’ perspec- Pathways, a set of trans- More than 600 Niagara could receive an advanced dian Collegiate Athletic As- tive or just the college com- fer programs that sees its College students have standing with upwards of Niagara College and Brock sociation (CCAA) Women’s munity’s perspective – it’s a graduates get advanced been offered admission to nine credits if they meet the University,As liaison Gilners officer hasfor been Volleyball Championship in fantastic opportunity,” says academic standing at Brock Brock University over the minimum cumulative grade reaching out to students March, 2019. Puillandre. University. past three years due to the average requirement upon with information and appli- According to Mike Puil- He says it gives the com- “The proximity of the two program agreements set up graduating from the college. cation booths set up at Ni- landre, communications munity and fans a chance schools is a great conve- through this partnership. “They should be aware of agara-on-the-Lake campus and events coordinator for to come together and cheer nience for students who The agreements, known the admission criteria,” said on Tuesdays and Welland the college’s Department and creates amazing op- are looking to stay in the as articulation agreements, Gilners, emphasizing the campus on Thursdays. of Athletics and Recreation, portunities for students to Niagara region,” said Amy allow students to receive need for students to under- She has also held work- this is the third nationals volunteer and get involved Gilners, Brock-Niagara joint generous transfer credit stand the conditions around shops and attended the hosted in Welland’s athletic in a great event. towards a Brock University pre-requisite courses and Educational Pathways “Combining a Niagara degree that may otherwise college program averages. Continued on page 2 women’s volleyball. Continued on Page 3 advisor and liaison officer. facilities, albeit the first for Page 2 NIAGARA NEWS • Feb. 23, 2018 NEWS Olympics gives one of the best career moments Continued from page 1 pete after us and we were were, but they’re special to focuses on a few key me in different ways.” things to remember while mostly my partner because Team Canada has been trying to remain in the mo- inhe first.hasn’t I was done so this happy, before.” for consistently delivering ment. Kirsten didn’t want to let stunning performances, and “I’m really trying to just her partner down and she Canadians have been spot- stay in the moment, because made sure to train hard ted in the stands cheering if I get too ahead of my- to help make his Olympic the Olympians on. self, that’s when mistakes dream a great one. “Mike’s “I’ve always felt like Can- start to happen and I start amazing. Pairs and ice danc- ada is the best country in to snowball in the wrong ing relationships are tricky the world and when we go direction. because it’s a little bit like to something as big as the “After we were done,” an arranged marriage in a Olympics, it’s evident when Kirsten said, “I went to way. You get paired with we see how Canadians react Canada House for a little someone and it’s not like to other countries and how while and saw my parents we’re perceived by other and my sister and my part- countries,” said Kirsten. ner’s family, but I was in bed whenwho you you like find to a spend boyfriend time “We really feel like we’re by 10 o’clock.” [where]with and you who find meets someone your united, and we become one In an earlier interview, needs on a day-to-day basis. special team and I love it. Kirsten’s mom Sherry Tow- It really doesn’t have a lot to It’s the same as it was in ers said, “The way we’ve do with how much you like Sochi and it’s not any less approached her career is the person in a sense, so I special than then. that whatever happens we really lucked out in that I do “I mean it’s my home. I are there to support her.” really appreciate Mike and moved away from St. Catha- “It was amazing,” said I really enjoy my time with rines when I was 15, so I Kirsten, talking about her him. It’s strictly a platonic didn’t live there for a very family coming to Py- relationship… and it makes long time,” said Kirsten. eongchang. “It was largely training fun.” “In the grand scheme of due to our community and Qualifying for Py- things for most of my time family and friends and St. eongchang 2018 is one of there I was very young, Catharines citizens who Kirsten’s favourite career but every time I go back… supported the GoFundMe moments. “There’s been it’s calming for me and it’s page and were able to help a few. I have different comfortable and it’s where my whole family come here, favourite moments for dif- my people are. I’ve really, which is important for me. ferent reasons. You know, especially this Games, I’ve It’s their win as much as it is winning a medal in Sochi felt a huge sense of the mine and it’s their dream as people and sense them much as it was mine so it’s experience. Qualifying for rallying around me. I’ve felt wasthe Olympics, definitely thisa favourite time, me that they were here.” was a favourite experience, a lot of support. It’s always really,Kirsten really and significant Michael were for but sometimes it’s the little nice. It’s a good place for me named to Team Canada at things. Coming back from to come home to.” the end of the 2018 Cana- injury last year was huge Kirsten has been spend- dian Tire National Skating ing the days that she’s not Championships. to skate again without pain skating, cheering on the rest “We knew right away, at forin Japan me, when this past I finally season. got I - Nationals, when we got our think I have many favourite ing team as Pyeongchang score because we needed to moments that are different 2018of the isCanadian coming tofigure a close. skat scales of, you know, how Kirsten Moore-Towers with her partner Michael Marinaro at the Olympics. “There’s nothing better.” SUBMITTED PHOTO. two more teams to com- big or how important they finish top 3 and there were Advisors make it easy for students Min. Avg NC Program Brock Degree Credits Years 80% Business Administration - Business Administration 9.0 4-year to apply for their programs Marketing (Co-op) Continued from page 1, able, and the fee of $100 80% Computer Programmer Computer Science Up to 7.0 3- or 4-year Fair to speak to students (credit card only). Analyst about the program options, Most students may be 70% Dental Hygiene Community Health 5.0 3-year articulation agreements and looking to the articulation admission criteria.