In this profession, we have the privilege to tell some inspiring stories about some amazing people in this community.
We have artists and entertainers, philanthropists and activists, volunteers and athletes. Many of them have excelled on the provincial, national and international stage. And in the spirit of celebrating International Women's Day, this week we pay tribute to a phenomenal Coast female athlete.
We've had the pleasure of following Kyla Richey from her days playing elementary volleyball to the provincials in high school at Elphinstone Secondary School, from her first selection to Team Canada, to her scholarship to the University of British Columbia, her visit with her T-Birds teammates for an exhibition game in Sechelt against a travelling all-star team from Japan. This year she was named the top university female volleyball player in Canada, culminating in an incredible five consecutive national championships.
We've seen her sacrifices and those of her family and friends - the hours spent in the gyms training, the long nights studying late after practice, the homework on the ferry when she was travelling to Vancouver. The blood, sweat and tears, as she put it this week when we interviewed her, are all worth it, and we couldn't agree more.
Her dedication and attitude are truly amazing. She is an inspiration to us and an inspiration to other young female athletes on the Coast that if you work hard, good things will happen to you.
We're blessed to have had contact with other amazing female athletes too, such as Madison Shoemaker, now playing tennis at Seton Hall, mountain biker Katherine Short who is shining on the national and international stage, and others like sisters Brianna and Michaela Kane, track and field stars at Simon Fraser University. However, as a star among stars, Richey stands at the top with her achievements. She has accomplished more in the past six years than most people will accomplish in a lifetime.
We're thankful and honoured that Richey and her family have allowed us to come along for this wonderful ride. And it's not over yet. With any luck, she will help Canada qualify for this summer's Olympics in London. And come June, we'll be watching her with Maple Leaf in hand, as a Coast Olympian.
Cheers to her. Cheers to powerful women!
Editor's note: Further information has come to light regarding an editorial we published Feb. 10.
Local MLA Nicholas Simons is not pushing for a park, rather a broader discussion with all concerned groups regarding logging on Mount Elphinstone. We made this statement in the editorial based on information received from another source. Simons has since clarified his comments in a recent news story, published on Feb. 24 and also on his website at www.nicholassimons.ca/.
