Wednesday, April 24, 2013
A Wonderful Teenager
Yes there are wonderful teenagers. So often we seem to focus on the troubled teens who are experiencing angst in those transition years to adulthood. Fortunately, my three grandchildren seem to be mastering these teen years as are Lynn's two grandchildren. How blessed we are. As one who was an unhappy teenager most of those years who carried it into adult hood I am envious.
My grand daughter, Olivia, is quite a remarkable teenager who seems to relish and thrive on being who she is in her teenage years. She is making the most of all the opportunities she has. She is happy and it seems very self motivated to succeed in everything she does.
Olivia is an outstanding student and athlete. She graduated from elementary school a couple of years ago winning all the academic honours available. She has always been involved in sports activities in the community playing alongside her brothers in hockey, soccer, swimming etc. Her interest in sports was further nurtured when she entered the high school where she is now.
Olivia and her brothers have taken their elementary education at a french language public school. While her brother Dylan has switched to the English section in their high school, Olivia continues to take classes in the French language. It seem she identifies closely with the French community in which her mother is rooted. As one who has never mastered French in spite of 8 years of formal study and a life long interest in the language, I see this recovering of her family French heritage the greatest of her accomplishments. English is her first language but more correctly she has achieved the Canadian ideal of being fully fluent in the two official languages, comfortable in both cultures.
Olivia in her school, L'école Secondaire Publique Northern Secondary School, maintains a 90+ academic average, a truly remarkable achievement level. She does this without any great pressure from her parents.
Olivia , as well, is very active in the sports programs at her school which she relishes and achieves success in comparable to her academic success. I was reminded of this recently when my son sent me a notice that she will be publicly recognized for having been chosen as the Female Athlete of the Year at her school. Last year was the first time that a Grade 9 student achieved this. Her name will be listed in the West Nipissing Hall of Fame, en française, Le Temple de la Renommée (I love that it is called a temple in french). She continues to reap the reward of studying and playing hard. How she must be enjoying her teenage years.
Olivia and her partner Andrew Gendron most recently won the top honours in the mixed doubles in badminton. Here they are with their coach and teacher Madame Leroy.
This is a picture of Olivia, her father, Parker, and her brother, Dylan, last year, when both were honoured for their athletic involvement.
Every year Olivia at school plays basketball and volleyball where she has been chosen to be the Captain of these teams. (It seems she is popular as well as successful. She has been the regional champion in badminton. In track and field events she throws the javelin and the discus. Honours came her way by being voted the MVP in badminton and volleyball. She has received the T & F coaches award. Also, as I mentioned before now chosen the Athlete of the Year. I have no doubt that this level of achievement will continue for the rest of her high school career.
I look forward to all that Olivia will achieve in the future. I have no doubt she will continue her studies at the university level always finding a place for athletes which she so much enjoys.
All of her family is very proud of her and please she continues to develop into a lovely person who will go on in life as an adult achieving much. and making a difference.
9 Comments:
And you have every right to be proud. Congrats all around--to Olivia, to her parents, and to her grandparents. Also to teachers and coaches who have encouraged her.
Much success to her as she grows fully into womanhood.
You have a wonderful and talented granddaughter. Isn't it fun to watch them grow up so well?
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It's always heartening to read a proud grandfather's comments on his grandchildren, Philip.
These indeed are the best days. You are very lucky
Good for you and them, proud Grampa.
Awesome, Phillip! It's great to see teens who care and who accomplish good. Much credit to the adults in her life who guided her. May she continue on this same path. xo
Bravo Olivia!
I know you all are so proud of her.How wonderful to hear of a young woman like this.
You have been blessed. But she has too!
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