Students send good vibes to Team Canada

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 07/02/2018 (3078 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Winter Olympics kick off Friday in Pyeongchang, South Korea, and I think we all know what that means.

It means it’s time for me to fling open the fridge, grab a family-sized container of onion dip, then park myself on the couch in front of the big-screen TV and remain motionless for two weeks while watching elite athletes competing in Spider-Man-style Spandex outfits.

Yes, it’s a major sacrifice, but I am willing to do anything to help cheer our Canadian Olympians on to victory. Sadly, I fear my efforts will not be enough, which is why this week, I sat down with some of this country’s greatest motivational experts.

I am referring, of course, to the kids in Katie Goossen’s Grade 6 class at John Pritchard School in River East Transcona School Division. Ditto the kids in Preet Toor’s grades 3 and 4 class at Amber Trails Community School in Seven Oaks School Division.

I visited the kids for I Love to Read Month in exchange for them scribbling inspirational letters that will help put our Olympic heroes on the podium. Grab some tissues, because here’s some lightly edited True Love for our Olympians from a bunch of patriotic kids who wear their hearts on their sleeves.

Dear (Canadian) Figure Skating Team: “My name is Sydney. I’m 11 years old in Grade 6. I know it must be lots of pressure competing in the Olympics, but don’t worry. If you lose or win, we will all know that you tried. Just remember you’re representing Canada. No pressure. We’re all counting on you. Whenever I’m scared, I think of all the great things in life. That always motivates me. You can do it. I love skating, so if you win I will mail you something on Valentine’s.”

— Sydney, 11, Grade 6

Dear Women’s Ice Hockey Team: “I’m not really a big fan of sports or had experience playing hockey, but I know you guys work hard doing it, so I have much respect for you. Congratulations for being in the Winter Olympics and for never giving up on your dreams. I believe you guys will win because you guys are awesome and also don’t forget to have hope in yourselves as well.”

— Sheena, Grade 6

Dear Canadian Olympic Team: “Congratulations and good luck to all the Canadian Olympians in the 2018 Olympics, especially my cousin on the women’s ice hockey team, Bailey Bram. Bring home that gold medal, of course, for bragging rights and stuff. You can rub it in to all your friends and your siblings. But anyways… bring home that gold for all the Winnipeg-ians. Thank you, and good luck! P.S. If you don’t get gold, maybe you can find a silver medal in the crowd from Sweden.”

— Spencer, Grade 6

Dear Cross-Country Skiing Team: “I’m not a big fan of sports, but I have gone cross-country skiing before… and I fell… a lot… so I decided to send this letter to you guys!… I’m hoping it’s a race so I can say ‘GO CANADA!!!’ Because I know we can win the medal, the gold medal… If you win, you will find a random box of doughnuts in your mailbox but ONLY if you win so you better win.”

— Dana, Grade 6

Dear (Canadian hockey forward) Quinton Howden: “Hi, my name is Jack Babych. (I am not related to Dave and Wayne Babych.) You will inspire many many Canadians that like hockey to try even harder so they can get to the Olympics. By the way, I forgot but I am 12 years old. I am not a hockey fan but I still love writing to you. The sport I do is snowboarding. I just learned how to do a front flip. Anyway, enough about me, and more you. I hope you win gold.”

— Jack Babych, 12, Grade 6

Dear Canadian Figure Skating Team: “Don’t let them win. Do it for the figure skating squad all across Canada. If you win, you’ll receive a box of cookies in your mailbox 24 years from now, and they’ll be the best flippin’ cookies you had in your LIFE!! I figure skate sometimes. I wanna be good at it just like you someday! I wish you the best of luck, and remember if you win you’ll receive a box of cookies in 24 years.” — Harmony, 11, Grade 6

Dear (Canadian Figure Skating Champ) Gabrielle Daleman: “Good luck in the Olympics. You HAVE to win gold for figure skating or else your skates will melt! Even if you win silver, it’s fine, but try hard! I BELIEVE IN YOU!!! DON’T GIVE UP!!”

— sincerely, Jayla, Grade 6

Dear Canadian Women’s Hockey Forward Bailey Bram: “I like hockey. Hockey is my favourite sport. I hope the women win the tournament, and I hope the men win the tournament as well. If you win, then you get a big cake or a big cupcake.”

— Alita, 11, Grade 6

Dear Team Canada: “I like gold medals, do you? If you do, you have to win one. So all of you need to get your game on! If you do win, you will get a medal and I will make Santa come three months early.”

— Olivia, 11, Grade 6

Dear Canadian Curling Team(s): “I hope you have fun here. It is very cold here, probably colder than the ice. My dad, me and my sister are curlers… I hope you have fun in the Olympics. I also hope you win gold. You better win, buddies, if you don’t I’m going to be so flipping mad. Hope you have fun.”

— Mikayla, Grade 6

Dear Men’s Ice Hockey Team: “If you guys are worried about the whole Olympics thing, don’t be. You got this. All of Canada believes in you.”

— Payton, 11, Grade 6

Dear Canadian Olympic Team: “I hope you have fun competing. Try your best, but remember that it’s OK to lose and the most important thing is that you have fun!”

— Yazmin, 8, Grade 3

Start your engines, Team Canada, and remember the kids from Amber Trails and John Pritchard schools are with you all the way. I’m with you too, but I’ll be cheering from my couch, because this onion dip isn’t going to eat itself.

doug.speirs@freepress.mb.ca