Winners of “Spirit of Sandra” Scholarships, including PEI’s Brooks Roche, announced

For the third consecutive year, the Sandra Schmirler Foundation has awarded six $5,000 scholarships to junior curlers pursuing their competitive curling careers while maintaining their post-secondary studies. The Scholars will be mentored again this year by world champion curlers Jon Mead and Cathy Overton-Clapham.

Brooks Roche throws for PEI

Curling Canada Photo: Brooks Roche

“It’s an honour to continue to work with these talented young adults as they pursue excellence in academics and curling,” said Jon. “Their collective desire to succeed and love of curling is inspiring.” “We both feel privileged to be part of this scholarship program that continues to help young athletes reach for the stars and fulfill their dreams,” added Cathy.

The 2015/2106 scholars were selected from applications received from right across Canada.

Brooks Roche is from Montague, PEI and is a student at the University of PEI studying Sustainable Design Engineering with plans to get his Master’s degree in Architecture. He has represented his province at both the 2015 Canada Winter Games and the 2015 Canadian Juniors.

Sara Guy is from rural Wahnapitae, near Sudbury. She is studying for her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Algonquin College and hopes to become a pediatrician. Sara’s team was Northern Ontario champions in 2014 (women’s) and 2015 (juniors).

Brendan Acorn is majoring in Civil Engineering at Carleton University. He skipped his team from Sault Ste. Marie to the 2014 Ontario Bantam Provincials and captured the bronze medal at the 2014 Ontario Winter Games. This past season his team were Provincial bronze medalists.

Weston Oryniak lives in Winnipeg and is a student at the Asper School of Business at the University of Manitoba. Loving all sports, Weston’s passions have been competitive tennis and curling. Weston’s team were 2014 Canada Winter Games gold medalists.

This is the third time that Kristen Streifel has been selected a Spirit of Sandra Scholar. She’s from Saskatoon but now attends the University of Alberta in Edmonton studying Health Sciences with plans to become a Doctor. Kristen’s team from Saskatchewan were Provincial Junior Champions in 2012, 2014 and 2015. Kristen was alternate for Team Canada at the 2015 World Junior Championships, winning gold.

This is the second year Corryn Brown has been awarded the Spirit of Sandra scholarship. She is from Kamloops and attends Thompson Rivers University studying for a Bachelor of Administration with plans to become a CPA. Corryn’s team won bronze at the 2012 Winter Youth Olympics, won the 2013 Canadian Juniors and took bronze at the 2015 Canadian Juniors.

“We continue to be impressed with all of our Scholars and their enthusiasm, energy and commitment, as well as their success in competitive curling, academics and as volunteers in their own communities,” said Chris Atchison, Chair of the Sandra Schmirler Foundation. “All of our Scholars have proven to be outstanding ambassadors for the Foundation, leading by example.”

The Spirit of Sandra Scholarships are funded through crowd sweeps. “We are very grateful to Curling Canada and the curling community for their on-going support as we continue to ensure that Sandra’s legacy lives on,” said Atchison.

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