Feb 20 WP .indd - Pro Cresting Penguins

four
The Weekly Press - Wednesday, February 20, 2013
THE
WEEKLYPRESS E D I T OR I AL
Closure affects more
than just the school
I
have a sense of history in my community; my
family has been here for several generations. The
old one room school house where my gram and mom
attended is now a museum. Just over 50 years ago many
kids were shifted to a new, larger school where I eventually went and all my children have gone. When they
opened the new schools it was a vast improvement over
outdoor privies, hauling water and heating with a wood
stove.
Now we have five schools in the district that are
under review for closure. The communities have been
made to jump through hoops, wade through red tape
and dry figures, face undue stress, think outside the box,
come up with suggestions, stand up publicly and share
those results- only to be told they need to hear from the
community, you are still under review.
I have heard it is all a waste of time because the decision was made a long time ago the reports written for
closure. It seems a few communities think it should be
closed too, but then, they can think that way because it
is not their school going through this or they no longer
have children in the school system. I shamefully admit I
was one of those people who did not think the school
could be meeting educational criteria as it was, I was
not concerned about the cost of the school; I just
thought they should shut down and move the kids.
When I took the time to understand, I was amazed at
what I saw; my tiny opinionated line of sight was broadened. I even went as far as considering putting one of
my kids in the school, but it was too much work for
me.
It might not be so bad if the kids were being sent to
a shiny new facility as they were 50 years ago. We may be
waiting a long time for that new ‘super school’ in the
Hants North area, after all larger populated areas get
first crack. The community will be split in two and kids
shipped to schools that are of the same age and on the
whole same condition.
Why am I so passionate? This is not my school and I
do not have to care but I do, I am just so tired of rural
NS losing. We lose our small stores because it is easier to
pick up in large amounts as we pass by the grocery
chains on the way home from work, same with gas. We
gain nothing to close a school but lose so much culturally if we as communities do not stand together and
support one another.
I look at it this way, if a neighbour was having a heart
attack, I would try to save their life. My neighbouring
community is having its heart ripped out, I will do what
I can because that is how I was raised- help thy neighbour.
Do CPR; tell the school board to wait.
Anita Benedict
EDITOR
Abby Cameron
reporter
Pat Healey
Encouraging the love of sport in a child
I
n this week’s issue, you will read a story of Kiara
Keddy, a bona fide super fan for the female Midget
AAA Penguins.
At first, when working on the story with reporter Pat
Healey, I thought it would be a nice feature, and a different take on our average sports story, but as you will
read- it’s anything but.
I often express pride in East Hants. I think that we
are caring, kind, and wonderful people. But the story of
the Pens taking Kiara under their wing truly warmed my
heart.
Engaging in the dreams of a child benefits everyone
involved. Encouraging her love for a sport, and her
thirst for competition has already paid off for the young
multi-sport athlete, and will only continue to fuel her
passion as the years continue.
These girls have proved to be true role models. At any
level of sport, you can become the hero of a child, and
reporter
Kyle MacKay
reporter
Anita Benedict
reception
Crystal Pearson
WEEKLYPRESS
Laura Thompson
production
Danielle Shreenan
production
Angela Isenor
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THE
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that is not a responsibility to be taken lightly. I can only
hope that other teams in East Hants can step up into a
similar role for their fans.
Giving back is what matters. So, for the older kids in
East Hants Minor Hockey, next time you see a young
player coming into the rink, take a moment or two to
wish them luck on their game. Your hospitality will go
much further than you could imagine.
For Kiara, there is no difference between these
Midget AAA players and professional athletes. They are
her role models, and it is wonderful to see them fully
step into that role.
I would like to express my personal thank you to the
members of the Pens for the pleasure they provide this
little girl, who I have no doubt will excel further in
sports herself, due to the encouragement.
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TEN
The Weekly Press - Wednesday, February 20, 2013
WEEKLYPRESS SP ORT S
THE
Taken under the wings of the Female Midget AAA Penguins
LANTZ
Every Sunday morning when the Pro Cresting Female Penguins hit the ice, there is one little voice that
can be heard amongst the noise of pucks hitting the boards-it’s the voice of Kiara Keddy, also known
as ‘K-Rock’ and the Penguins number one superfan. She’s such a fan the team ensures they get a
jersey made for her, like the new one she is wearing.
(Healey photo)
by Pat Healey
Kiara Keddy never knew
that staying late after a public
skate four years ago would
turn into a passion for hockey.
Kiara had asked her dad
Vance if they could stay for a
bit and watch the East Hants
Pro Cresting Midget AAA
Female Penguins practice
after the skate. Vance agreed
and so the two watched the
Penguins practice.
“Kiara turned to me at
one point and said ‘Dad,
those boys have pony tails,’”
recalled Vance with a chuckle. “I told her ‘Kiara those
aren’t boys, those are girls.’”
Kiara responded, wideeyed as could be with a ‘no
way,’ reminisced Vance, to
which Kiara nodded-remembering that moment fondly.
It was at that moment
that Kiara had fallen in love
with hockey. She has become
part of the Penguins team as
past and present players have
dubbed her their ‘super fan.’
Kiara-who is the only girl
on the Novice Advanced
team-isn’t just any ordinary
fan, the Pens have taken her
in as one of their own. The
team had an extra jersey
made up-including their new
jersey that have Pens across
the front-with K-ROCK
embroidered across the back,
and a jacket that says K-Rock
2019-the year she becomes
eligible to play with the
Penguins.
“I just like all the girls on
there (the Pens),” she said.
“When I was little after the
public skates, they had a
practice so I asked my dad if
we could go watch but I
thought they were all boys.
That’s when I started to like
hockey.
She added the fact they
are girls added to her new
found love for the sport.
Vance said she begged
him year after year to become
a “Penguin.”
“Every year I just couldn’t
let her go, but since that
practice and her seeing them,
it’s been all hockey,” he said.
He said if it wasn’t for
being inspired by the
Penguins team four years
ago, he doubts Kiara would
have taken an interest in the
sport.
“She wouldn’t play at all,”
he said. “Without them, she
wouldn’t play at all.”
Kiara-an eight-year-old
bundle of energy-even has a
favourite player on the teamand they seem to have a lot in
common.
“MacKenzie Wright,” said
Kiara, adding “because she’s
number 22, and I’m 22; she’s
also a defenceman like me. I
think that’s why I’m defence
and number 22 because of
her.”
"It's not just a
hockey team or a
place to go, It's a
family. That's what
keeps us coming
back."
- Vance Keddy
Wright and Kiara share a
bond outside of the rink and
have matching jerseys, with
Wright’s saying ‘”Mac
Attack,” while Kiara’s boasts
“Mini Mac.”
Bernice-Kiara’s mom-said
they’re great role models for
young girls, like Kiara, to
which the youngster quickly
replied ‘sometimes.’
Kiara-with her hair done
up just like Wright, sticking
out of her pink hair cap and
wearing her blue Pens jersey
with pride-said the team has
been very inspirational for
her.
“They’re girls, they’re
playing hockey,” said the softspoken Kiara. “Ever since I
knew they were girls, I’ve
loved hockey.
“My dad said one time,
‘why don’t you go in the
dressing room,’ and the coach
(Les Parker) allowed me.”
After that, the team had
their super fan, Kiara was
hooked. To show their appreciation and support of her,
then Captain Nataya Haines
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email: john.macdonell@ns.sympatico.ca
brought out an autographed
Captain’s pink jersey from
their Breast Cancer game
and handed it to Kiara.
“(Assistant coach) Todd
(Higgins) made a big banner
that said ‘number one super
fan,’” said Vance. “They (the
girls) were all fawning over
her.”
After Vance lost his mom,
the team took Kiara under
their wings arms while her
mom and dad grieved. Now
she’s not just a fan, she’s a
Penguin.
“When my mother passed
away, it was kind of a dark
time,” he said. “But Les was
there, Lori, Todd, all of them,
we kind of slid in. It’s not just
a hockey team or a place to
go, it’s a family. That’s what
keeps us coming.
“It was around the same
time as her IP jamboree, and
the girls all came out to the
game and had banners and
signs that said ‘K-Rock’s
number one fans.’ After that,
she was one of them, she was
part of the team,” added
Bernice.
The next year when the
team got new jerseys, the tradition of making one for
Kiara continued.
“She’s one of them,” said
Bernice.
She’s not just a one-sport
athlete either-she’s also
involved in horseback riding;
gymnastics, martial arts; and
Brazilian jujitsu. Despite her
busy schedule, she still manages to be a straight ‘A’ student in the French Immersion
program.
Kiara said she likes horseback riding a lot because it’s
all about having fun. She’s
been competing in the sport
for five or six years.
“I like it because you can
do what you want to do, and
not do the competitive stuff,”
she said. “I don’t like the
chores. I like all the fun stuff
in it, taking care of them, and
doing fun things with them.”
Last year, she was so good
in horseback riding that she
won the high point series
champion; walk-trot champion; walk-trot canter champion; and reserve champion
for Novice hunter.
“It meant a lot because
the horse I had Oriole, a
young pony, she gave me her
all and helped me win,” said
Kiara about the horse that is
now back in Ontario.
Kiara’s parents say they
do it because of the effort she
gives every time she is tasked
with something-no matter
what it is. That’s not hard to
tell-for a school project Kiara
had a five-page project on
worms; when she was done it
was 20 pages long.
She’s been helped along
with getting the best of the
best-sticks and gear wisefrom Sackville Sports Wheels.
The family had trouble finding equipment because of
her small size.
Kiara hopes to one day
don the Penguins jersey-a
dream that could become a
reality thanks to the welcoming, open arms the team has
shown to its super fan. She
gave Parker and team sponsor Dave Clarke an ultimatum too.
See page 12
TWELVE
The Weekly Press - Wednesday, February 20, 2013
WEEKLYPRESS SPORTS: PENGUINS CORNER
Featured team: Midget A
Name: Nick Farquhar
Age: 16
Position: Right Wing
Favourite NHL Team:
Montreal Canadiens
Handedness: Right
Number: 6
UPCOMING GAMES
Dartmouth Sea Lions Vs. Bantam White
6:30 p.m., Ice Pad B, Feb.20
Eastern Shore Mariners Vs. PeeWee Red
7 p.m., Keith Miller Arena, Feb. 20
Chebucto Vs. PeeWee A
8 p.m., Keith Miller Arena, Feb. 20
PeeWee Black Vs. PeeWee White
7:30 p.m., Keith Miller Arena, Feb. 21
Novice Black Vs. Novice Blue
9 a.m., Keith Miller Arena, Feb. 23
Novice White Vs. Novice Green
10 a.m., Keith Miller Arena, Feb. 23
Dartmouth Dolphins Vs. Midget White
TBA, Keith Miller Arena, Feb. 23
Dartmouth Dolphins Vs. Atom White
4 p.m., Keith Miller Arena, Feb. 23
Dartmouth Orcas Vs. Bantam Black
5 p.m., Keith Miller Arena, Feb. 23
Eastern Shore Vs. Midget AA
8 p.m., Keith Miller Arena, Feb. 23
Dartmouth Flyers Vs. PeeWee White
1 p.m., Keith Miller Arena, Feb. 24
Cole Harbour Hitmen Vs. Bantam Gold
4 p.m., Keith Miller Arena, Feb. 24
Midget White Vs. Midget Gold
5 p.m., Keith Miller Arena, Feb. 24
South Shore Vs. Midget AAA
6 p.m., Keith Miller Arena, Feb. 24
Sackville Flyers Vs. Bantam AA
7:30 p.m., Ice Pad B, Feb. 25
TASA Ducks Vs. PeeWee AA
8 p.m., Keith Miller Arena, Feb. 25
Sackville Flyers Vs. Bantam A
7:30 p.m., Keith Miller Arena, Feb. 26
Cole Harbour Oilers Vs. Bantam Black
8:30 p.m., Keith Miller Arena, Feb. 26
Bedford Vs. PeeWee A
8 p.m., Keith Miller Arena, Feb. 27
Name:
Curtis Bailey
Age: 16
Position: Defense
Favorite NHL Team:
Toronto Maple Leafs
Handedness: Left
Number: 14
All schedules are subject to change, visit www.ehpenguins.org for up-to-date games
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From page 10
“I told the coach and Dave they have to stay until I make
the team,” she said. “It feels good to be special to them.
They’re kind of like my big sisters, especially Mac.”
As Wright and the Penguins prepare for their best-of-five
semi-final series with the Cape Breton Glass Screaming Eagles
beginning on Feb. 23-24, in the Keith Miller Arena at the East
Hants Sportsplex in Lantz, you can bet Kiara will be there
giving her 110 per cent best to cheer on the Pens to victory.
Game one in the series goes Feb. 23, at 2 p.m., with game two
set for Feb. 24, also in Lantz, at 11 a.m.
phealey@enfieldweeklypress.com
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