Area students, soldiers selected to carry torch
Posted By ANTHONY DIXON ADIXON@THEDAILYOBSERVER.CA
Posted 2 months ago
The Ottawa Valley can proudly boast of having two Olympic Torch-bearing teams.
As a result of a partnership between RBC and the Department of National Defence, 20 members of the Canadian Forces stationed at CFB Petawawa will form one team, while 20 students from Jeanne- Lajoie high school were selected as one of only 16 school teams in the Canadian Olympic School Program.
The Canadian Forces team will run the Olympic flame from the main gate of CFB Petawawa to Dundonald Hall on Dec. 13 while the team from Jeanne-Lajoie will run the flame in the Ontario community of Picton on Dec. 15.
The announcement was made during a celebration staged at the RBC Pembroke branch.
"Lt.-Col. Keith Rudderham and his fellow Defence Team members are an inspiration and watching them participate in the relay will instil a sense of pride and patriotism in each of us," said Michael Adamcryck, RBC regional vice-president.
"Jeanne-Lajoie secondary students demonstrate how each of us can make a difference and help build a lasting legacy for our city. To be part of the Olympic Torch Relay is a unique and thrilling opportunity and RBC is proud to offer Canadians a chance to participate in the Olympic celebrations and share in the Olympic spirit, community by community," he said.
On hand for the announcement were the team members, RBC officials, Olympian Jeff Bean, CFB Petawawa officials, Pembroke Mayor Ed Jacyno, Petawawa Deputy Mayor Ed Chow, Leo the Lion and, of course, an Olympic Torch.
"We are honoured to be part of something as extraordinary as the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay and we are thankful for the opportunity to participate alongside other Canadians," said CFB Petawawa base commander Lt.-Col. Rudderham. "The members of the 20-person team from the Petawawa base were selected for their teamwork, selflessness and their strong desire to achieve a common goal. I am excited to share this experience with them."
Team member Warrant Officer Willard Smith described the opportunity to carry the Olympic Flame as awesome.
"As a kid of four and five I dreamed of being an Olympian," he said. "I'm naturally a runner and I've been to four world army cross-country championships which are kind of similar in that there is an opening and closing ceremony. Running with the flame is the closest thing to the Olympics. This is just an awesome opportunity for me and my family."
The news that he had been selected as a member of the team was eagerly welcomed by torch bearer Lieut. Luc Fleurant.
"I was overwhelmed and excited," he said. "It was almost like having my first child. I couldn't stop calling people and telling them about this. This is the opportunity of a lifetime. I'm very grateful for this chance."
Tammy-Lise Schroeder, the teacher at Jeanne-Lajoie who headed up the school's application, wasn't sure the small French-language school from the Ottawa Valley had much of a chance against the big schools across the country but she knew she had to try.
"When we were chosen I was in shock," she said. "I didn't sleep for two days, and I had to call everybody I knew."
She said when the team from Jeanne- Lajoie carries the torch, it will be on behalf of all Ottawa Valley schools.
The team was selected from members of the school's track and field and cross-country teams along with members of its environmental club.
Ms. Schroeder explained that the team's pledge has two parts; to create a partnership between elementary and high school students surrounding sports to foster an active lifestyle among youth and to improve the environment by planting trees on the school's property.
The team will run a full kilometre in a V-formation, passing the torch back and forth about every 50 metres.
"When I found out I just went crazy," said Madeline Mills, a Grade 11 student at Jeanne-Lajoie who is a member of both the track team and the cross-country team. "I can't believe we're going to get to do this. It is a once-in-a-lifetime chance. I am super excited."
Fellow Grade 11 student Bridget Graham, the president of the environmental club and a member of the track and field and cross-country teams, was very emotional about the selection.
"I just started to cry I was so happy. I see other people on TV running with the torch and I can't believe I'm going to get to do that too," she said.
The team will be taking about 20 additional students with it to Picton as a cheering section. Many of these students were selected for their fundraising efforts during the school's recent Terry Fox Run.
Jeanne-Lajoie principal Richard Carrier said being selected as one of only 16 school teams in Canada was a huge honour. The next closest school team is from Cobourg.
"When I found out I was surprised but very happy," he said. "It is a privilege for us to be able to do this."
The names of the CFB Petawawa runners are Warrant Officer Dan Connor, civilian Stewart Ray, civilian Charmaine Tedford, Cpl. David John, Lieut. Luc Fleurant, Sgt. Douglas Mac- Donald, Sgt. Russell Couglin, Cpl. Howard Kack, Warrant Officer Cynthia Urquhart, civilian Allison Jones, Warrant Officer Christopher Parker, Capt. Dennene Huntley, Cpl. David Cote, Warrant Officer Willard Smith, civilian Tracy Gorman, Master Cpl. Michael Trauner, Master Warrant Officer Mark McDonnell, Capt. Simon Johnson, Cpl. Aundre Grant and Cpl. Annel Carballo.
The names of the runners from Jeanne-Lajoie are Cheryl Carriere, Amy Johnson, Marie Lemelin, Brittany Provost, Dominic Grandmaison, Taylor Barr, Matthew Peca, Richard Carrier, Chloee Godin-Jacques, Bridget Graham, Madeline Mills, Melanie Plante, Audrey Menard, Renee-Claude Carriere, Tammy-Lise Schroeder, Greg Thuemen, Connor Godin, Chris Gallagher and Greg Pigeon.
The Olympic Flame will arrive in Petawawa and Pembroke on Dec. 13.
Anthony Dixon is a Daily Observer
