Congratulations to our 2020/21 SCRA Scholarship Recipients!
The SCRA Scholarship was established as part of our association’s belief that our young athletes are the key to continuing the sport of Ringette into the future. The SCRA Scholarship aims to encourage our athletes to support the sport of Ringette through playing, coaching, officiating and volunteering, and to continue playing Ringette while attending a post-secondary education program in Canada.
Our association is incredibly proud of our many inspiring young athletes, past and present, that give back to SCRA, the sport of Ringette and our greater community. The Scholarship Committee receives so many wonderful applications every year — it is our pleasure to once again be able to recognize two young athletes this year. We are pleased to share a few highlights about our recipients to celebrate their accomplishments.
First Place $1000 Award Recipient: Kennedy Connors
Kennedy is currently attending the University of Calgary and is working toward her degree in Kinesiology. Her long Ringette career includes 13 years with SCRA, from Bunnies (U8) all the way through three years in U19. She has been a Jr Coach with SCRA for 2 seasons and has also served as a Ringette official for 5 seasons. Kennedy has also given her time to the wider community in numerous ways such as her volunteer work with local organizations such as Ronald McDonald House, ASRAB, Street Light Backpacks, JumpStart, and Friends First.
In the letter of recommendation that was included with her application, her former coach had this to say about Kennedy: “Team sports teach us many things; respect, friendship, how to overcome adversity, discipline, teamwork and much more. I truly believe that Kennedy embodies these important qualities and it is exciting to know that she is bringing these skills into her studies and eventually the workforce. Kennedy has excelled in her leadership roles - leading by example, mentoring her teammates and making the sport fun. Kennedy is a role model for the rest of her teammates in regard to her skill and effort on the ice as well as her personality and value system. Kennedy always makes sure to celebrate her team’s successes and be there when someone needs a little more support and encouragement. We are only as strong as the communities that we live in, which is why investing in them is so important. Kennedy understands this and at her young age has already started giving back to the SCRA community.”
Thank you Kennedy for your ongoing support to the sport of Ringette, and for being an inspiration to our young athletes!
Second Place $500 Award Recipient: Makenna Lyle
Makenna is currently attending Mount Royal University and is enrolled in the general arts program. She proudly describes Ringette as her “second home”, having played with SCRA for 13 years beginning in Bunnies (U8) and continuing all the way up to three seasons in U19. Makena has also been a Jr Coach with SCRA for two seasons. Her many contributions to the wider community include serving on Student Council, teaching literacy to Grade One students, assisting as her high school’s football team trainer and volunteering with local organizations like Linkages and Inn from the Cold.
In her letter of recommendation from a former coach, Makenna’s incredible compassion and character shine through: “It is truly a rare exception to see an athlete who represents and balances all of the characteristics that make them great. Makenna lives this balance every day, she is an incredible teammate, is the most respectful of the sport that I have ever witnessed, and is compassionate beyond reproach. She does this all alongside being one of the fiercest competitors I have ever coached. Her respect for the game and her compassion shown to others has influenced those on her team and competitors alike. She is the model of an athlete that the association wishes to be its representative.”
We are proud to support Makenna in her studies at MRU. On behalf of all our young athletes, thank you Makenna for continuing to support the sport of Ringette.
