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Stingers honoured at gala 

By Daniel Rodrigues

The Concordia Stingers' family was well represented last Tuesday evening as three of its athletes were presented awards for their excellence as student-athletes and their commitment serving as role models in the community.

Put on by the Quebec Foundation for Athletic Excellence, the awards were handed out as part of the 23rd annual Quebec University Athletic Gala, honoring the achievements of university athletes both on and off their respective playing surfaces during the 2007-08 season.

“We want to show that athletes can perform and compete while still being able to go to school and be successful,” said foundation president Claude Chagnon.

In order to support its student-athletes, the foundation provides all award winners with bursaries to help with the financial burden of attempting to balance school, work and sports.

Wrestler Nikita Chicoine was awarded $1 750 for her success on the mat – she took home a silver medal at the 2008 Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) championships in March.

Quarterback Liam Mahoney received his award of $1 250 for exceptional on-field success in 2007, a season where he was named the outstanding rookie by the Quebec University Football League and by CIS.

Kristin Portwine, a forward with the Stingers women’s basketball team, was honoured with $1 750 for her leadership. This award recognizes student-athletes who have distinguished themselves through community service and have displayed a leadership role within their team.

It is her passion for being around children that leads her volunteer efforts to both the Sun Youth juvenile under-17 women’s basketball team and to Camp Kinkora.

“I enjoy being around kids,” says Portwine, when asked why she is actively involved in community service. “I love putting smiles on their faces.”

At Sun Youth, Portwine acts as an assistant coach and helps to instill both positive and strong leadership values, much like the ones she developed as a player there for six years.

“I love the organization,” she says. “It’s a great organization that gives back to the community.”

Along with her work at Sun Youth, she donates a week of her summer to being a volunteer camp counsellor for Camp Kinkora.

“It makes me feel young again,” says the 21 year-old Portwine.

At the camp, Portwine aids the campers through their daily goings-on. Whether it be planning events or activities, or participating in skits, she admits to enjoying every minute of it.

When not donating her time to the kids, Portwine is focusing on school. She is in her second year as a marketing major in the John Molson School of Business, not to mention the time dedicated to performing as starting forward for the basketball team.

“We have potential to be a great team,” she says. “We have a bunch of new players and lots of individual talent.”