This award was instituted in 1997 to recognize outstanding synchronized skating volunteers. It is named after the first recipient, Marilyn Johnny, who exemplified the spirit of volunteering.

Marilyn’s association with the KWSC began in 1976 when her daughter Susan joined the club. In 1981, Susan joined the Novice synchronized skating team and thus began the Johnnys' association with synchronized skating. For two seasons starting in 1982, Marilyn co-managed the Novice team with her husband, Don. Since then, she has served as chair of many committees of events that the club has hosted. Among them were the World Junior Championships in 1986, two Canadian Precision Championships (as the sport was then called) in 1990 and 1993 and Skate Canada in 1996.

Marilyn's involvement with synchronized skating went beyond administration. She was a member of the adult team in 1993-94, an experience that gave her the understanding to be an effective manager of the team which she became in 1994 until her resignation in April 1997.

Marilyn was named to the KWSC board of directors' Advisory Committee in 1996 and in June 1997 she was appointed as the chairperson of the newly created Showcase Committee.

In 1999 Marilyn was presented with Western Ontario Section's Elizabeth Swan Award for outstanding volunteer contribution to Synchronized Skating.

In 2000, Marilyn served as Vice President, Operations at KWSC, Chair of the Showcase Committee and the Board representative on the Synchronized Skating Advisory Committee.

Marilyn became President of the Kitchener-Waterloo Skating Club in May 2001, and she served in that role until May 2004.

Criteria:

The criteria for selection will be based on a member's range of involvement and long service to synchronized skating and the club. Although meant to be an annual award, only when a volunteer has met the criteria will the award be presented.

Nominations are open to all members. Selection will be made by team managers and Marilyn Johnny.

Nomination form [ .doc | .pdf ]

Back to list of awards