By Kara McIntosh
A 14-year-old ski racer has won a national award for her commitment to her sport and her community.
Morgan Ross and her family live in Toronto, but spend as much time as they can at their home in Creemore.
Morgan has just finished a very successful ski racing season, which culminated in being named to Team Ontario in the Under 16 category at the prestigious Whistler Cup in early April. The Whistler Cup is an international race that hosts over 20 countries.
Whistler Cup organizers awarded Morgan the coveted Lynne Hume Dedication Award out of 12 applicants, for her devotion to the sport of ski racing and for giving back to her community.
“I think I won the award because I work hard and try to be dedicated in everything I do. I was very happy and really honoured to be picked out of all those people,” Morgan explained.
True to the spirit of the award, she donated part of the cash prize to the Nik Zoricic Foundation, which honours the late Canadian Ski Cross Team member who died during a World Cup race in 2012. The NZ Foundation plays an integral role in spearheading safety initiatives in the sport, as well as supporting developing athletes like Morgan.
An Honours Student in Grade 9, Morgan is working towards the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, a self-development program for youth to make a difference in themselves, their communities and the world.
Morgan’s mother, Andrea, says that her daughter has always been creative and entrepreneurial.
“When she was little, she took river stones from my parents’ back yard, painted them to look like ladybugs and sold them on the side of the road. She has always worked really hard,” Andrea said.
Since the age of seven, Morgan has made and sold handmade jewellery at the Creemore Farmer’s Market. After meeting her there, Laurie Copeland invited Morgan to sell her line of silver, leather and beaded jewellery at her store, Cardboard Castles.
Morgan gives 10% of her sales to The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.
“We are so excited for this local, young woman,” said Copeland. “We consider her an incredible inspiration to today’s youth. She is genuinely talented, while also humble, generous and kind.”