Outstanding Women of Laurier
The fouth annual Outstanding Women of Laurier luncheon was hosted at the Waterloo Inn this past Thursday with over 300 students, athletes, coaches, and notable local contributors and honourees in attendance.
The Outstanding Women of Laurier award is presented to an exceptional female student-athlete who embodies excellence in both sport and academics, as well as community involvement. The award acknowledges an athlete with enthusiasm, commitment, and leadership skill sets.
This year drew the most number of applicants, with 18 nominees in total, from which four finalists were selected: basketball captain Renata Adamczyk, volleyball players Tesca Andrew-Wasylik and Megan Gilmore, and curling skipper Hollie Nicol.
Kinesiology and physical education major, Hollie Nichol was the deserving recipient of the 2009 award.
As a member of the Laurier varsity women’s curling team, Hollie has won both the 2008 and 2009 CIS women’s curling championships. She has also been awarded MVP for 2008, 2007, and 2006; and has been named CIS, OUA, and Laurier athlete of the week on several occasions.
“This award means a lot to me, but also to curling in general,” says Nichol.
Hollie has also won a silver medal at the 2009 winter World Universiade, where she was chosen as the flag-bearer for the closing ceremonies.
“It was an amazing feeling representing Canada; with the maple leaf on my back and the golden hawk on my heart,” she said as she held back tears.
Hollie also volunteers with many groups in the community, including the Special Olympics program, and has appeared as a celebrity skip in charity tournaments. Additionally, she has worked in the athletic and recreation department at Laurier for three years.
“Aim high because you never know what you can do,” she left off. “I’ve had the opportunity to travel to Switzerland, China, and Japan next year - there are so many opportunities and it’s such a social sport, my team mates are my best friends.”
Humble in her acceptance speech, Nichol thanked her coaching staff, her parents, and her team – “I could not have accomplished this without them,” she admits.
As a fourth year student, she has plans to attend law school next fall.
“I’m sad to leave, but Laurier has prepared me well for the future,” she concludes.
Second year volleyball team captain Tesca Andrew-Wasylik was proud to have even been considered as a finalist.
“I never considered myself to be a role model” she said, “And I really do today, it’s a great feeling.”
Team mate Megan Gilmore was also one of the final four, as well as third year basketball star Renata Adamczyk - both with equally impressing accomplishments.
Each of the finalists received a gold hawk pendant, and a financial scholarship for their hard work and dedication.
Waterloo native and Olympic cyclist Leigh Hobson made the key note address. Leigh celebrated her 38th birthday in Beijing as the top placing North American racer. As a local teacher, she decided to take a leave of absence in 2006 to pursue cycling. She competed in the World Cup after a rigorous training schedule, and here she won a bronze medal, and qualified for her Olympic dream.
Her grace and experience shone through in her passionate and motivational speech.
“There’s a lot you can say to help people be inspired along their path,” she said. “It’s an amazing dream, and to have it have happened is overwhelming for me.“
“It’s nice to share it with people.”
Leigh also expressed her congratulations to Hollie, and so did finalist Tesca Andrew-Wasylik.
“I’m so proud of her, she really deserved to win.”
Also awarded during the ceremony, was the Alumni Founders award for an outstanding varsity athlete and Laurier graduate.
“It’s been inspirational for us all to hear all of their stories,” commented Nichol.
