North Bay, Ont., university honours Canadian curling icon Jennifer Jones
Canadian curling legend Jennifer Jones received an honourary degree at a Tuesday morning graduation ceremony at Nipissing University in North Bay.
Canadian curling legend Jennifer Jones received an honourary degree at a Tuesday morning graduation ceremony at Nipissing University in North Bay.
Widely recognized as the greatest female skip in Canadian history, Jones won a gold medal at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi. She was the first -- and only -- female skip to go through the Olympic games undefeated.
She also won six national titles and two world championships. One of those world championship victories came in 2018 in North Bay.
Jennifer Jones degree
Canadian curling legend Jennifer Jones received an honourary degree at a Tuesday morning graduation ceremony at Nipissing University in North Bay.
(Eric Taschner/CTV News)
'When I came to North Bay, the city blew me away with their hospitality,' Jones told reporters before the ceremony.
'It was a highlight of my very long curling career and I always say it's on par with the Olympics and that's because of North Bay.'
The university presented her with an honourary doctorate in education. Jones calls the moment 'humbling.'
'I'm very excited to be back and just to receive this honour from the university,' she said.
'To be a part of this community and their legacy is very humbling.'
In 2019, TSN named Jones as the greatest Canadian curler in history, following a poll of broadcasters, reporters and top curlers.
Earned law degree
In addition to her curling success, Jones has had a dynamic and multifaceted career beyond sport.
She earned her law degree and practised law before shifting her focus to motivational speaking and television broadcasting.
In a brief speech to the graduates, Jones told them to never give up and to enjoy the moment, reminding them they can achieve anything if they set their minds to it.
She recalled her dream of wanting to win one Canadian championship and that it would have 'been the most miraculous thing' in her life.
Jones told the graduates about sitting down with sports psychologist Cal Botterill, who listened to her explain that she was shy and lacked the confidence to reach her dreams.
Jennifer Jones
Canadian curling legend Jennifer Jones received an honourary degree at a Tuesday morning graduation ceremony at Nipissing University in North Bay.
(Eric Taschner/CTV News)
'He looked at me straight in the eyes -- and it's a message that I want you to remember on this day -- he said, 'Why not you?''
Jones, who retired from curling last year, said it's important to leave a lasting legacy for the 'future generation.'
'To believe that we had even the smallest of impact to help curling grow in a city that did so much for us in like North Bay,' she said.
'Hopefully, we'll see some future stars come out of the curling program here.'
The university is also presenting two others with honourary degrees this week: Juno award-winning singer-songwriter William Prince from Peguis First Nation and Janine Lafrenière, who has dedicated her career to supporting survivors of gender-based violence.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBC
an hour ago
- CBC
Nikayla Small scores in AFC Toronto win over Vancouver Rise
Nikayla Small scored the first goal of her Northern Super League career, helping AFC Toronto to a 3-2 victory over the Vancouver Rise on Wednesaday in Burnaby, B.C. Emma Regan got Toronto (4-3-1) on the board just two minutes into the game, and Kaylee Hunter put the visitors ahead 2-0 in the 42nd minute. Mariah Lee cut Vancouver's deficit to 2-1 with a goal in the 68th minute before Small scored in the 73rd. Rise midfielder Quinn converted a penalty kick in the eighth minute of injury time to seal the score at 3-2. WATCH | AFC Toronto holds on for victory over Vancouver Rise: AFC Toronto holds on for victory over Vancouver Rise 2 hours ago Duration 1:07 Vancouver (3-4-2) controlled 54 per cent possession across the game and outshot Toronto 13-8. The hosts also held a 4-3 edge in on-target shots. Toronto will look to carry the momentum from the win into Calgary, where they'll face the Wild on Saturday. The Rise are off until June 22 when they host the league-leading Montreal Roses.
CBC
an hour ago
- CBC
It's 1 year until the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Is Vancouver ready?
Social Sharing One year out from the FIFA World Cup, questions remain about where soccer fans visiting Vancouver will stay and how much it will cost to keep the city safe. Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim spoke to reporters at an event marking the one-year countdown to the tournament on Wednesday, saying the city began working on security plans even before it was confirmed to host seven 2026 World Cup games. He says those plans were "augmented" after 11 people were killed when a man drove a car into a crowd at the Lapu-Lapu Day festival in April. The security costs have not been publicly released, but Sim says the city will "make the necessary investments to make sure that people are safe in the city of Vancouver" during the event. WATCH | Is hosting the World Cup worth it? Is hosting the FIFA World Cup worth the ballooning costs? 1 year ago Duration 1:59 Toronto and Vancouver are slated to host 13 FIFA World Cup games in 2026, and the security budgets have gone up by tens of millions of dollars. Some are asking if it's worth it. Spencer Chandra Herbert, B.C.'s minister of tourism, arts, culture and sport, says the province will release a "full costing" later this month, updating how much it expects to spend on the World Cup. Back in April 2024, B.C. organizers estimated the cost at between $483 million and $581 million for city and provincial services, as well as upgrades to B.C. Place stadium. Vancouver Coun. Sean Orr said he isn't convinced the economic benefits of the tournament will outweigh concerns about cost overruns, security, and potential long-term effects on housing affordability. "I just don't know if throwing a party in the midst of, you know, [a] potential downturn in the economy is the best plan right now," he told CBC News. "We've got threats of tariffs, we've got, you know, downturns in the market ... is this the best use of our resources right now? That's my big concern." Hotel rooms up in the air About 350,000 people are expected to visit Vancouver during the World Cup, Chandra Herbert said at Wednesday's event. Questions have been raised about where they'll stay, as a city report released in April noted there are just 13,000 rooms spread across 78 hotels within the municipality. The report found that Vancouver lost about 550 hotel rooms between 2020 and 2022, in part because some older hotels were converted to housing for vulnerable people. WATCH | Questions over hotel capacity in Vancouver: Is Vancouver ready to accommodate the 2026 FIFA World Cup? 1 year ago Duration 6:24 Royce Chwin, CEO of Destination Vancouver, said the seven matches Vancouver will host will be spread throughout June and July of next year, leading to an "ebb and flow" of visitors. "We had nine hotels in the pipeline a couple years ago," he told CBC News. "We're now up to 23 because we're getting the word out there." Tourists may need to get creative during the tournament, Chandra Herbert suggested. "We're working with our hotel partners across the province," he said. "We think there's opportunity for people to stay further afield. "We know Hullo and B.C. Ferries, we're looking at them as an opportunity for overflow, even all the way to Nanaimo," the minister added. "Of course, out in the [Fraser] Valley." Chandra Herbert said some Vancouver residents may also look to rent out their homes during the World Cup. Both the province and the City of Vancouver have regulations for short-term rentals, including rules on what types of homes can be used. In Vancouver, all operators must also have a business licence. The FIFA World Cup kicks off on June 11, 2026, with opening games in Mexico City and Guadalajara. Toronto and Vancouver are the two Canadian cities hosting matches, as part of the 16 host cities across Canada, the U.S. and Mexico. Vancouver will stage five opening-round games starting June 13, plus a round-of-32 and a round-of-16 match.
CTV News
2 hours ago
- CTV News
Montreal elementary students to sing national anthem at Canadian Grand Prix
A group of elementary school students from Montreal's west end perform live at the Canadian Grand Prix opening. A group of elementary school students from Montreal's west end will have their voices heard by hundreds of thousands this weekend — live at the Canadian Grand Prix. The Willingdon Elementary School choir will perform 'O Canada' at the start of Sunday's Formula 1 race on the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, in front of an international crowd and millions more watching on television. 'It's a little nerve-racking, but also really, really exciting,' said Morgana Grindlay, a Grade 6 student in the choir. 'I've ever done anything this big before.' The performance will mark one of the biggest appearances yet for the school's music program, which has grown under the leadership of longtime teacher Nick Batzios. He's taught music at the English Montreal School Board school for 27 years and says this moment represents more than just a musical milestone. 'I reached out to the people at Formula 1 and presented what we have to offer,' said Batzios. 'They eventually got back to us and said, 'We'd love to have you.' It was incredible news to bring back to the students.' Batzios is known at the school not just for teaching music, but for giving his students opportunities to shine on big stages. In 2022, his choir performed at the Bell Centre before a Montreal Canadiens game. But the F1 event, he says, is something entirely different. 'It combines two of my passions: music and fast cars,' he said. 'But more than that, it's my hope that the students take this experience and run with it. That they keep pursuing their dreams, and never give up on them.' For many of the young performers, the news is still sinking in. 'It makes me feel excited, and honestly, really lucky,' said 12-year-old Madeleine Rondeau. 'When I first found out, I didn't realize just how many people would hear us.' The Willingdon Elementary School choir The Willingdon Elementary School choir will perform 'O Canada' at this year's first Formula 1 race. (Laurence Brisson Dubreuil / CTV) As many as 350,000 spectators are expected to attend the Canadian Grand Prix over the weekend, making it one of the largest sporting events in the country. It also reaches a global audience on television, with millions tuning in from around the world. That's a lot of eyes and ears for a group of students used to singing in a classroom. For Grindlay, just joining the group was already a leap of courage. 'I was nervous about joining the choir at first,' admitted the student. 'But I'm really glad I did because we have so much fun singing together.' After taking that first step herself, she encourages others to do the same. 'If anyone out there is scared to try something new, I'd say just go for it,' said Grindlay. 'Don't be afraid of the worse, instead, enjoy the experience and live it to the fullest.' Batzios said encouraging students to step out of their comfort zones is a key part of his role as an educator. 'It's about building confidence and showing kids what they're capable of,' he said. When asked where they'd love to perform one day, the students didn't hesitate. 'The Super Bowl,' said Michaïla Borden, flashing a grin. 'For me, the Bell Centre, because I really like hockey,' said Evelyn Chan. While those dreams may seem far away, Batzios believes Sunday's anthem is proof that anything's possible. 'It all started with an email,' he said. 'Now look where we are.' With just days left before race day, the Willingdon choir is still hard at work rehearsing. Their goal: to make sure every note lands, and, more importantly, have fun.
