OTTAWA – The Sandra Schmirler Foundation today announced the successful applicants for the 2014-2015 Spirit of Sandra $5,000 junior curling scholarships. “Once again, we were thrilled with the applicants and had a very difficult time selecting just 6 scholars”, said Theresa Breen, Foundation Chair. “Last year’s scholars all enjoyed success both at school and on the curling ice. They also all held highly successful fundraising events and showed a wonderful commitment to building Sandra’s legacy and awareness of the Foundation’s mandate”
PEICurling.com Photo: Veronica Smith
This is the second year for the $5,000 scholarships which will be funded from crowd sweeps at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Montreal, the Tim Horton’s Brier in Kamloops and Roar of the Rings in Winnipeg. “The Foundation is indebted to the Canadian Curling Association and the entire curling community for providing this opportunity for competitive curlers to engage with fans at these major curling events and collect money to fund these scholarships,” stated Breen.
The 2014 Spirit of Sandra Scholars are: Kristen Streifel from Clavet, Saskatchewan; Katherine Doerksen from Morden, Manitoba; Corryn Brown from Kamloops, BC; Veronica Smith from Breadalbane, PEI; Renelle Humphreys from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; and Jestyn Murphy from Mississauga, Ontario.
World Champion curlers Jon Mead and Cathy Overton-Clapham will once again volunteer as mentors to the scholars. “Cathy and I are honoured to continue to mentor these young competitive curlers and help them however we can to realize their own dreams”, declared Jon. Added Cathy, “Jon and I thoroughly enjoyed working with last year’s scholars and look forward to meeting and getting to know this new multi-talented group. We hope that together we can help them to build their competitive skills while balancing curling with school”. The 6 Scholars will join Cathy and Jon in August for a 2-day training session.
Each of the Scholars has committed to organizing a fundraiser in their local community to build awareness and raise money to support the mission of the Sandra Schmirler Foundation, which is to donate to Newborn Intense Care Units (NICUs) in hospitals across Canada for the purchase of life-saving equipment for babies born too soon, too small or too sick.
About the Sandra Schmirler Foundation:
The Sandra Schmirler Foundation was created in January, 2001 as a legacy to three-time world curling champion and Olympic gold medalist Sandra Schmirler, in recognition and celebration of her love of family. The Foundation raises and donates funds across Canada for the care of premature and critically ill babies recognizing that all “Champions Start Small”. The Foundation has now donated over $2.5 million to 34 newborn intensive care units in hospitals across the country.
For more information contact:
Robin Wilson
Leadership Director
Sandra Schmirler Foundation