Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC) has sponsored gold-medal winning Olympians, Brad Gushue and Mark Nichols, to visit five communities throughout the province to meet and speak with school-aged children, beginning June 1. Paul Shelley, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment and Minister Responsible for Housing, announced today that the sessions will take place June 1 – 9, in St. John’s, Marystown, Corner Brook, Grand Falls-Windsor and Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
“NLHC is thrilled to offer school-aged children throughout the province the opportunity to meet and speak with Brad Gushue and Mark Nichols,” said Minister Shelley. “They will speak with the children about their experiences as Olympic athletes, the value of having life goals and striving to meet those goals. By having the chance to listen to Brad and Mark and to speak with them one-on-one, the children will better understand how hard work, dedication and perseverance are the key to future success and ultimately a better life.”
Brad and Mark are wonderful role models for youth of this province, and at the last Winter Olympics they showed Newfoundland and Labrador and the world the value of hard work. Their dedication resulted in top honours in the sport of curling. Both are outstanding examples of excellence as they graduated from Memorial University while honing their skills as Olympic champions. Brad graduated with a bachelor of business administration and Mark has a bachelor of kinesiology.
“I’m quite certain this event will be a positive experience for all the children,” said Minister Shelley. “We must nurture the leaders of tomorrow by showing them the importance of staying in school and continuing to work hard.”
This initiative is in keeping with government’s vision of education for Newfoundland and Labrador which includes active partnerships among communities and community organizations. NLHC fully supports government’s continued commitment to education, and has chosen to offer this occasion to students throughout the province to help make them aware of all the opportunities that are available to them. Brad and Mark will be available after each session to chat with the students, to answer questions and to sign autographs.
Event Schedule
| Date | Time | Community | Location | Olympian |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 1, 2006 | 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. | St. John’s | St. John’s Recreation Centre 25 Buckmaster’s Circle | Brad Gushue |
| June 1, 2006 | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. | St. John’s | Virginia Park Elementary School Gym 14 Middleton Street | Brad Gushue |
| June 5, 2006 | 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. | Corner Brook | Salvation Army Temple Barrett Hall Room O’Connell Drive | Mark Nichols |
| June 6, 2006 | 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. | Happy Valley-Goose Bay | Kinsmen Centre 41 Grenfell Street | Mark Nichols |
| June 8, 2006 | 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. | Grand Falls-Windsor | YMCA 13 Price’s Avenue | Brad Gushue |
| June 9, 2006 | 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. | Marystown | Sacred Heart Academy Villa Marie Drive | Brad Gushue |
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For further information, please contact:
Jenny Bowring
Manager, Corporate Communications
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
(709) 724-3055
E-mail: releases@nlhc.nf.ca