Today marked the final day of the week-long exchange program between Hollyburn and Chelsea Nordiq, and it was filled with meaningful moments and heartfelt farewells. Each athlete had the chance to choose their final morning activity, with some heading out for one last ski, others opting for snowshoeing, exploring a museum, or simply taking it easy with a restful morning at their host house. Around noon, everyone gathered at Jay and Janet’s home for a wonderful farewell lunch. The meal featured Montreal-style bagels, Schwartz smoked meat sandwiches, and delicious salads, with a special thank you to the families who contributed to this simple yet perfect feast. The group enjoyed reminiscing about the week, watching a slideshow of photos from the trip, and reflecting on the incredible experiences they shared. Kiara, an athlete with remarkable leadership qualities, played a key role in wrapping up the week. With the support of the coaches, she presented personalized awards to each athlete,...
Today we explored again Canadian history and culture. We started our morning at the Eternal Flame, in front of the Peace Tower of Parliament, before embarking on a tour of the House of Commons. There was many curious questions from the kids about the process of passing bills and laws. We also learned that due to renovations, the central tower—once home to both the House of Commons and the Senate—has temporarily relocated, and the House of Commons now resides in the West Block. After this fascinating visit, we enjoyed a lunch in a unique room of the East Block, where our host, Sue Holloway, shared her inspiring career as a trailblazing Olympian. Sue made history as the first female athlete to compete in both the Winter and Summer Olympics. In 1976, she participated in cross-country skiing at the Winter Olympics and later competed in kayak at the Summer Olympics in the same year—an incredible achievement that made her a true pioneer in the world of sports. At 22, she decided to focus her...