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The year 2001 marks the eighth year the OWFL Scholarship has been awarded. The Scholarship is awarded to a graduating high school student/athlete: planning to attend a post-secondary institution; who has taken part in a lacrosse program in the current season; who indicates a desire to continue in lacrosse; who demonstrates strong leadership, good character and a sense of citizenship and participation in school and community activities.
In the early 1990’s, as women’s lacrosse began to grow in Ontario, it was evident that the strength behind the growth was coming from the players within the high school programs.
The Ontario Women’s Field Lacrosse Scholarship was introduced in 1994, to recognize graduating high school students demonstrating leadership and commitment within their schools, communities and the game of lacrosse.
As the sport grows in Ontario, the members continue to be the driving force behind the future development of the game.
Each year since ’94, the Scholarship has been awarded to outstanding students who not only excelled academically and were involved in community work, but were lacrosse players, coaches, assistants, rated umpires and/or lacrosse convenors in their schools and communities.
This year, one more name was added to the distinguished list of Scholarship recipients.
This year’s recipient was an A student over the course of her five years of high school. She was involved at school within the student council and numerous sports.
She came on the lacrosse scene in 1995 as a thirteen year old who “just wanted to play”. When the Alberta team arrived in Ontario for the Canadian Championships that year a few players short, there she was putting her hand up to volunteer to play to help them out.
She earned a spot on the Ontario Junior team the year after, and three years later co-captained the Canadian U-19 Team at the World Championships in Australia. This summer she traveled to her second World Championships in England.
She got her first umpire rating two years ago and has been a regular official within her community, and within the Ontario leagues. Officiating is an area where Ontario Women’s Lacrosse is certainly looking for people to step up and get involved.
Next year, she’ll start her undergraduate studies at Cornell University, and play lacrosse for the Big Red, who this year made it’s first ever appearance in the NCAA playoffs.
It all started as a just a game she loved to play. Over time, she started setting some goals, dreaming a little bit, and putting in a lot of hard work. The list of accomplishments is already starting to grow, but who knows where it may all end.
Ontario Women’s Field Lacrosse is proud to present its 2001 Scholarship to Jessica Williams of Henry Street High School in Whitby.
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