Manitoba's Credit Unions Scholar Athlete

Fiona Brown of École Secondaire Oak Park High School – participated in volleyball, badminton, and golf and was the team captain for all three teams.  She was named an all-star at several volleyball tournaments and her team won bronze at the Zone 3 Championships and tied for fifth at the AAAA Provincial Volleyball Championships. Fiona was named the top varsity volleyball player by the Winnipeg Free Press and was also selected as a Volleyball Manitoba Graduating All-Star and named to the All-Manitoba Team after the season. She maintained an academic average of 99% and has been awarded the Dr. Dale Iwanoczko Memorial Scholarship and the Mount Royal University President’s Scholarship. Fiona is part of her school’s dance company, student council executive, co-chair for her school’s athletics committee, a peer tutor, and part of the “Big Sib” program. She is a member of the Jr. Bisons volleyball club, competed at the 2022 Beach Volleyball National Championships while training with the Canada Games Beach Program, volunteered at the Winnipeg Pet Rescue Shelter, referees middle school volleyball, and was selected to the Beyond the Game Canada Select Volleyball team. Fiona has committed to Mount Royal University in Alberta, where she plans to pursue a degree in business.

Fiona states: “High school sport is a key component of the high school experience. Whether you are a student athlete of a fan in the stands, these sports bring us together and allow us to create lifelong memories. The entire student body benefits from this sense of community and the feeling of school pride. For many, the excitement gained from wearing school colours before a cheering crowd will only be experienced during these high school years. For others, this may be their only chance to play an organized sport. For all student athletes, high school sport acts as a healthy outlet to meet new people, build bonds with peers and coaches, try new activities, and stay active. The lessons learned by being part of a school sports team: commitment, teamwork, sportsmanship, work ethic, and time management – will certainly be carried into life outside of the court or file. 

I truly believe that this involvement has allowed me to grow not only as an athlete, but also as an individual. I have had wonderful coaches and mentors whose advice and influence have been invaluable, and my connections with teammates will be lifelong. I have loved becoming involved in the school community and being able to meet student athletes from other school. Furthermore, the time management skills I have gained have allowed me to grow mor confident both on the court and in the classroom. My time at Oak Park has proven that high school sport is so much more than ‘just a game’ as it has made my high school experience unforgettable.”