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Presented by Donevan Coach, Barb Boyes
This year's winner is an individual who has been involved in a number of sports and activities both at school and in her community over the years. She enjoys anything that is remotely sports oriented.
Five years ago she was inttroduced to lacrosse at high school, and little did she know her life was about to take on a whole new meaning.
As her coach at Donevan Collegiate for the past five years, I've watched Paula Drinkle grow and develop both as an athlete and as a person.
I'll admit when Paula picked up a stick for the first time and decided that being the goaltender was a great idea only because she thought she wouldn't have to run as much, I was just a bit concerned. However, Paula quietly took her place in goal, year after year, and did her job. She never complained. She just made these agonizing faces before and after our warm up runs. For the first couple of years, I was worried that she wouldn't come back if I made her run too much. But in time, it became obvious that she was not only coming back, but she had set goals to try and achieve, and ahad dreams to chase.
I believe the turning point in Paula's young lacrosse career was when the opportunity came along to try out for the Canadian Junior Team and represent her country at the World Championships. This was to be a dream come true for Paula. However, many things would have to change -- starting with training and learning to like running.
I remember encouraging Paula to try out but quietly wondered if she would make the commitment. My questions were answered one day early in September a couple years back. I was walking through the gym at school and the aerobics class was going on -- girls in their tights and spandex and aerobic shoes bopping along. There was Paula in the back row with her lacrosse shirts and shorts doing her best to keep up with the rhythm.
During that season, Paula's Grade 12 year, I started to see characteristics in Paula I hadn't seen before. She became very determined. She demonstrated a great competitive edge and displayed tremendous perseverance. I started to see how much she cared about the game and how her teammates were a priority. Paula is a coachable athlete who plays the game with her heart.
Those two years on the Junior National Team continued to have an impact on
Paula. She started her fifth year at Donevan with improved skill, with an abundant amount of confidence, and was displaying leadership qualities more than ever before. Her will to win became contagious. Paula's play throughout the season was consistently great and speaks volumes in terms of our success. She also emerged as our insprirational spokesperson through her infamous poems. She was the backgone to our championships season.
One of the highest compliments a player can get comes from having earned the respect of your teammates. I'm not even sure Paula understood how highly regarded she was by her Blue Devil teammates.
It has been very satisfying to see how Paula has taken what the game has given her and not only benefitted, but made the most of it.
Whether Paula is wearing blue and white representing Donevan, or red and white represetning Canada, she wears the colours with pride.
It is with great honour and pleasure, I present this year's scholarship award to a truly deserving candidate, Paula Drinkle.
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