“Be interested, not interesting. It’s what my father told me for the entirety of my life. Those were his words of wisdom before any situation, important or not. I think about this often. When going into a conversation or any opportunity I reflect on what I could take out of it rather than my input. My father has been extremely influential in structuring who I want to become. Along with my father, my elder brother has played an equally significant role. He has been someone I can look up to in the ups and downs of life.
“Coming to Northwood was an experience like many others when it comes to leaving home and starting at a new school. I left home at 12 to pursue hockey after playing on boys’ teams for most of my youth. Before attending Northwood, I went to OHA and played in Kingston, Ontario growing up.
“Next year, I will play at Canton University to continue my hockey journey into college. This process has made me think about my family’s role in this journey and how much I appreciate them. My mom’s tenacity to take me to camps in the summer and her continual support when it comes to my in-season training have been tremendous. None of this would have been possible without the support and belief of my old coach, John Hoskins, who has given me the necessary tools and approaches to grow my game, and me as a person. He grew my love for hockey and gave me the confidence to try out for the AAA boy’s hockey team by making it as a girl sparked my motivation to move away from home and pursue the sport.
“As someone who has now spent 5 years away from home, I am accustomed to the normality of this way of life, and in that, Northwood has taught me some unbelievably valuable lessons. A lesson that I reflect on in every aspect of life is my coach saying, “The last five are our best five.” Take this and implement it into everyday life, no matter what you are doing, and do it with all your ability. To finish strong because you never want to leave a situation knowing you could have given more effort. Because regret is worse.”
As told to Eliza Quackenbush. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.
