Vernon athlete Kelsey Anderson missed her high school graduation at Vernon Secondary, but for a very good reason.
The 18-year-old was busy qualifying for the Canadian women’s rhythmic gymnastics team at nationals in Montreal. Anderson will say it was well worth it.
“National team has been my goal for awhile. To top it off, Gymnastics Canada has assigned me, along with my coach, Camille Martens, to the Summer World University Games in Shenzhen, China this August.”
Anderson leaves for Shenzhen Aug. 15, and will continue training in the meantime. The gymnastics competition goes Aug. 20-22.
“It’s an incredible opportunity to compete at an international games and I am over the moon, although it does come with a huge financial commitment,” explained Anderson.
With the support of Okanagan Rhythmic Gymnastics Association and local parent group, Anderson is organizing a Nature’s Fare Blitz. She is asking for the public’s help in collecting Nature’s Fare receipts to help cover her travel and accommodation costs to China.
Nature’s Fare supports non-profit organizations in the North Okanagan by donating a small percentage from receipts submitted.
She can be contacted at 250-308-8377, or via e-mail at kvanderson@shaw.ca. There is also an envelope on the bulletin board at the front desk of The Morning Star where receipts can be dropped off. The cutoff date is Aug. 31.
CIS (Canadian Interuniversity Sport) is organizing the Canadian delegation to the Games in China and is offering an Adopt-an-Athlete Program. Through the program, CIS is able to provide tax receipts for unconditional contributions of $25 or more.
To support Anderson through the Adopt an Athlete program, visit http://english.cis-sic.ca/universiade/summer/2011/files/fan_zone.
