Lucas Punkari
While the 2011-12 skating season was a memorable one for Fort Frances native Avery Wilson-Hands, the biggest accomplishment came after she already had hung up her blades.
The 12-year-old recently received the Sunset Country regional Skate Canada STARskate athlete award for 2012, which goes to the skater who best reflects the essence of the STARskate program, with some of the requirements including participation, achievements, and displaying a passion for the sport.
“I was in a bit of shock when I found out that I won the award,” Wilson-Hands enthused.
“I was not expecting to get that award at all,” she added. “But as it started to set it, I was pretty excited.”
Wilson-Hands was nominated for the award by the coaching staff of the local Border Skating Club, and was chosen over those nominated from the other skating clubs in the area.
“Those clubs include Dryden, Kenora, Atikokan, Ignace, and all of the other ones in the surrounding area,” noted Nicole Katona-Campbell, who coaches Wilson-Hands along with Gerry-Lynn Cousineau.
“It’s always nice to see one of our skaters receive an award like this, no matter how many times it happens, as it’s great to see them be rewarded for their efforts,” she added.
While Wilson-Hands has been skating for eight years, this past season was probably her most rewarding on the ice, attaining three “Gold” levels in skills, dance, and interpretive.
“Pretty much everything that I was doing was getting better and better as the year was going on,” she noted.
“I was pretty proud of myself to achieve three ‘Gold’ levels, and a lot of the came from the help I received from my family, my friends, and my coaches,” she added.
“For someone to be in Grade 7 and to be 12 years of-age like Avery, and to get three ‘Golds’ at her age, is not a common occurrence,” said Katona-Campbell.
“There have been a few skaters that have come close to doing that, but to get three of those STARskate achievements is just phenomenal.”
With the three “Gold” levels and the regional award to add to her accomplishments, Wilson-Hands already is looking forward to getting back on the ice next season.
“It’s extra motivation for me as I know that I’m capable of doing anything,” she reasoned.
“My big goal for next year is to get my [‘Gold’ level] in the free skate, as that is [the] ‘Gold’ level I don’t have yet.”
Wilson-Hands was one of two local skaters who received a Skate Canada regional award this past season, with Jaida Norris capturing the Canskater-of-the-Year accolade.
“She joined the ‘Canskate’ program two years ago, and since then she has competed at many competitions and has passed many badge levels,” Katona-Campbell said.
“She [Norris] has shown natural ability and flexibility while she is on the ice, and she is always smiling.”
