Page 12 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 79

12 Issue #79 June 2019 www.sportsenergynews.com

Cornwall Lions’ Sports Awards

By Jim Riddell parents of the winners for “allowing
their kids to chase their dreams”.
he Cornwall Lions Club 55th
TSports Awards banquet, held at The Joe Assaly Award for Top
Jr. Athlete went to Isha Waheed.
the Best Western Parkway honoured
athletes, coaches, and volunteers Isha who is the Canadian Boxing
from many different sports. Champion in her weight class has
defeated several provincial and US
The 2019 winner of the Jacques
Richard Award as Cornwall’s state champions and is seeded as a
possible future Olympian.
top sports personality was Jesse
Winchester. Joining the Brockville THE Guest of Honour at the
Braves in 2017, Jesse has been named event was two time Olympic kayak
Head Coach of the Year by the CCHL racer Michael Tayler. A five time
in each of the past two seasons.
National Amateur Champion, Tayler
Jesse played three years with the represented Canada at the 2012
Cornwall Colts before attending
Olympics in London, finishing 20th
Colgate University where he was in the men’s K-1 Event. In 2016 in
team captain. Following graduation
Jesse spent several years in the NHL Rio Tayler finished 16th, missing
advancing to the semi-finals by a
as a member of the Ottawa Senators,
Florida Panthers, and Colorado single spot.
Avalanche. Winning the award was Other major award winners were
unexpected for Winchester who in Bill Bray Bursary –Chloe Litalien.
his acceptance speech stated, “I am
Ian Brodie Bursary – Carolyn
really honoured to receive the award Kupcyzk. Joe St. Denis- Madison
and recognition. I love this city; it has
Ruffo. Benson Friends of the
supported me everywhere I’ve been.
I come home because I love it here”. Roundtable – Mike Pollard. RBC
Jesse gave recognition to all of the Bursary – Braeden Levac.
other award winners and also to the Other award winners on page 13 2019 Jacques Richard Recipient, Jesse Winchester
Photo Credit: Jim Riddell
Pommier Jewellers

“Pommier Jewellers May

Sports Mom”

Shonna Atchison

Mom, coach, educator! She does it all. Shonna Atchison
is a busy mom, a beloved kindergarten teacher at Eamer’s
Corners School in Cornwall and a devoted volunteer
coach. Shonna lives in Williamstown with husband Tim
McCuaig and their three children. Shonna has one son
and two daughters - each with their own busy schedule
of sports. Camden (11), Allie (9), and Emma (5) attend
Williamstown Public School in Glengarry County.
Camden is a grade 5 student and a multisport athlete.
His natural skill and competitive drive help him to
excel at whatever sport happens to be in season. He
played hockey for the Char-Lan Rebels Minor Hockey
Association for multiple seasons and then translated his skills to the Seaway AA Rapids this past year.
Camden is a passionate centreman whose speed and agility make him a threat at both ends of the ice. Camden
also plays in a competitive spring hockey league to keep his skills fresh. He also plays soccer. Shonna plays
the role of mom and head coach on this team where she draws on the wealth of experience she has from
playing competitive soccer herself most of her life. Shonna played Blazers soccer and in the GSL where she
continues to play with their women’s team.
Allie is an active grade 3 student at WPS. Like her brother, she plays hockey and was a member of the Char-
Lan Rebels Novice B team this season. Allie is one of several female players who rule the ice as strong and
competitive power forwards. Allie may be quiet, but she is an effective and strategic player who loves the
sport. Next year, Allie’s plan is to join the Cornwall Atom B Typhoons. When Allie hangs up her skates for
the year, you can find her playing for Char-Lan in the Glengarry Soccer League or the Hearts. Once again,

mom Shonna is on the sidelines as an energetic and supportive coach.
Emma may be the youngest of the bunch, but that doesn’t stop her. She has been honing her skating skills in
the CAN skate program and plans to begin the “Junior Sens” program in Alexandria this fall. You can find

Emma playing for the Char-Lan Timbits soccer program on Thursday nights.
Both Shonna and Tim have made coaching a way of life in their household. Tim has given generously of his
time coaching his kids since they started in IP hockey, and Shonna takes over when the kids hit the soccer
pitch. She also builds time into her busy schedule as a teacher to coach the school soccer and basketball
squads.
When asked why she and her family dedicate so much time to athletics, Shonna explains: “We love to watch
our kids do what they love most. We do it because they love it,” Shonna says. “The friendships the kids
make through sport and the lessons they learn from being on a team make all the time and effort worth every
minute.”