UOIT's Vanessa Johnstone to be honoured at the tenth annual OUA Women of Influence Luncheon
HAMILTON, Ont. - For the tenth year in a row, Ontario University Athletics (OUA) will recognize the top female scholar-athletes from across the province at a luncheon on Tuesday, May 7 from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Taboo Resort in Gravenhurst, Ontario.
Vanessa Johnstone (Niagara Falls, Ont.) of the UOIT hockey and tennis teams has been selected as a 2013 recipient.
The event honours female student-athletes who have excelled in their chosen sports and fields of study. This year's guestspeaker will be Canadian women's national soccer team member Diana Matheson.
OUA recognizes the following sponsors for their support of this event; belairdirect, Centaur Products, Pioneer Energy, Wilson Sports Equipment of Canada and Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity (CAAWS).
STUDENT-ATHLETE PROFILE
For the past five years, the communications major has been a key part in UOIT's growth as an athletic program as she was the Ridgebacks first two-sport athlete as a member of the women's hockey and tennis program.
On the ice, Vanessa played in 105 games and scored 23 goals and 24 assists. Johnstone ranks atop of the charts in Ridgeback power play goals (11) and third all-time in career goals scored. In 2011/12, she was named the Ridgebacks women's hockey leadership award winner. Another highlight included scoring two goals in the inaugural OUA Outdoor Classic at Ivor Wynn Stadium in Hamilton, Ont.
As a member of the tennis team, Johnstone played in this year's OUA championship hosted by the Ridgebacks. The UOIT tennis program reached new heights in 2012, earning their first points at the championship.
Academically, Johnstone is an OUA and UOIT academic award winner. As the marketing plan designer for a UOIT Capstone Project, she was in charge of creating a marketing plan for UOIT's Diversity in Leadership Program. Throughout her five years at UOIT, she also attended a number of community programs involved with the UOIT Cares program.
She graduated this year with an honours degree and plans to enter Teacher's College in the fall.
Christie Attwood (rowing), Shannon Galea (rowing and squash), Rikki Palmateer (hockey), Chrissy Tereshyn (hockey) and Jessica Bosse (rowing) are the Ridgebacks past recipients of the award.
INTERVIEW WITH VANESSA JOHNSTONE
What is your proudest academic achievement?
My proudest academic achievement would definitely have to be finishing my last semester with the highest GPA on myteam which was a 4.1. Before going into my last semester I wanted to push myself to achieve my highest GPA in a semester, and luckily I was able to achieve my goal. Throughout the years it was a challenge balancing both academics as well as athletics, but fortunately I learned how to successfully manage my time.
What is your proudest athletic achievement?
My proudest athletic achievement is when my team competed in the first ever OUA winter classic, and I was able to score two goals. My line mates set me up with a few great passes and I was fortunate enough to put the puck in the net. It felt amazing to score those goals while playing at Ivor Wynn Stadium as the snow was falling on that cold winter day. It was an amazing feeling being able to be part of an incredible experience, and be involved in a close game against Brock. My teammates and I felt extremely fortunate to be able to become a part of OUA history, and it was definitely one of my most memorable moments of my OUA career.
What is your most memorable community related moment?
My most memorable community related moment was helping younger girl's hockey teams along with my teammates. To be able to attend their practices every week and help them improve their skills was a very rewarding moment. The girls looked up to my team as positive role models and to be able to see them progress in their hockey careers along with the smiles on their faces, it is definitely something I could never forget.
What woman has most influenced you, and why?
My mother is definitely the most influentialwoman in my life. She has made me the person I am today, and without her I am not sure if I would be as successful as I have been in my life. She always taught me that anything was possible if I put my mind to it, and she is themain reason as to why I was able to achieve a high GPA as well as compete in hockey and tennis. She always puts others first and is the most caring person I know, which is why throughout my four years I wanted to be involved with the community and try to make a difference in others' lives as well. My mother has proven to be a strong and independent woman who has been my biggest supporter throughout the years.
What are your future plans?
As of now my future plans are to look for a career in my current field of study. I graduated with a degree in communications and hope to progress in something involved with public relations or human resources. I have also thought about perhaps attending teachers college and becoming a teacher in the Niagara region.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Scott Dennis
Sports Information and Marketing Coordinator
Durham College and UOIT Athletics
905.721.2000 Ext. 2784 (P)
905.721.3117 (F)
Source: OUA Communications
