Events
Face to Face
Wellness Centre
Conservatory
Cougar Athletics
Media Room
Photo Galleries
CMS Blog
Archive
Editor, Internal Publications
p. 403.440.5692
e-mail: snoble@mtroyal.ca
Fred Cheney
Media Relations Officer
p. 403.440.5195
e-mail: fcheney@mtroyal.ca
The Canadian red Maple Leaf, the Japanese red sun and the Chinese gold stars will be joined by Mount Royal blue this Feb. at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.
No, Mount Royal athletes won’t be competing, but our spirit will be present when two Mount Royal alumnae and a current student are on site serving as volunteers.
Joey Kaler
Mount Royal University student
Bachelor of Applied Business and Entrepreneurship — Sport and Recreation
 |
| Joey Kaler will represent Mount Royal at the 2010 Winter Olympics in the Whistler Press Centre. |
Kaler will be working with Right to Play — an organization that promotes sport and recreation in developing countries — to highlight the importance of children being involved in sports.
From the 2009 Grey Cup to the Tim Horton’s Brier, Kaler is no stranger to volunteering at high profile sport and recreation events.
“Working for these events is something I want to do for the rest of my life,” says Kaler. “This experience will be extremely rewarding and I’m sure it will help me move on to bigger and better things.”
Kaler will be juggling school and the Olympics, but is ready for the challenge.
“Volunteering gives you an experience you won’t get from a paid position,” says Kaler.
When Kaler first started volunteering two years ago, she was looking for answers on where her life and career were headed.
“I didn’t know what I wanted,” says Kaler.
“I quickly realized that with volunteering you get to meet the most amazing people. The experience is like no other.”
Some of Kaler’s initial interest in the Olympics can be credited to Mount Royal Business and Entrepreneurship professor David Legg’s lectures.
Legg, who is carrying the Olympic torch during its visit to Whistler this week, uses the Olympics for many examples and case studies in his issues and trends class.
“The Olympics have a huge impact on the industry I want to work in,” says Kaler. “Vancouver will have major benefits from hosting the event. I am really passionate about it, so it will definitely be interesting to be a part of.”
For now, Kaler is ready to take on the biggest sporting event she’s ever experienced.
Shannon Fera Mount Royal University Public Relations graduate (2008)
 |
| Shannon Fera, class of 2008, will be serve as the press tribune supervisor in the Richmond Speed Skating Oval media centre next week. |
As a Vancouver native, Fera is thrilled to have the Olympics hosted in her backyard.
The Richmond Speed Skating Oval is where Fera will be volunteering as press tribune supervisor in the media centre, and she couldn’t be happier.
“I enjoy volunteering,” says Fera.
“I think my knowledge of sport and the Games will help me in my position.”
Fera will be involved in a similar position to Melnick, but her Olympic interest started off quite differently — long before she was a student at Mount Royal University.
“I have always been interested in the Olympics,” says Fera.
“As a teenager I graduated from the 2001 B.C. Olympic Youth Leadership Academy and was the youngest delegate invited to the 2004 Olympics Academy of Canada.”
Having attended the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Fera is looking forward to getting a different perspective, from the inside out, this time around.
Not to mention the potential impact it could have on her future.
“This is a great opportunity to expand my resume and work with international journalists,” says Fera.
Anna Melnick
Mount Royal University Public Relations graduate (2009)
| Melnyk Skyped in To create a better learning environment and understanding in media relations, Anna Melnick and Communications Professor Jeremy Berry have arranged an eyes-on learning experience for his media relations class. Melnick, who is volunteering in the Whistler Media Centre, will be Skyped into the classroom from the Whistler Media Centre and producing a video segment — all to help enhance a better learning environment for Mount Royal University public relations students. “I want my students to understand the role PR and media relations play in a major event like the Olympics,” says Berry. “It also shows students the opportunities that are available and where the program can take them.” |
Stationed in the Whistler Press Centre, Melnick is ready to put her education to work volunteering in media relations.
Booking interviews, directing media requests and attending press conferences are a few of the things she will be involved in.
Not to mention enjoying the world-class view of the top athletes competing on one of the world’s biggest mountain resorts.
Melnick gained valuable work experience during her time at Mount Royal working with Brookline Public Relations, EnCana, Syncrude and the Calgary Roughnecks, which she feels prepared her to work in what promises to be a busy environment during the Olympics.
“I am so excited to learn how to work at such a fast pace and deal with situations as they come up,” says Melnick.
Melnick found out about what she calls a “once-in-a-lifetime volunteer opportunity,” through Mount Royal Communications Professor Jeremy Berry.
Melnick was in shock when her phone actually rang with the call asking her to volunteer.
After getting through that initially overwhelming moment, Melnick realized her education at Mount Royal has prepared her to make the most of this opportunity and hopes this will take her one step closer to the career of her dreams, on which she has yet to decide.
Creating a legacy
Fera, Kaler and Melnick not only understand the importance of what being a part of the Olympics can do for them, they also recognize the importance of the Olympics returning to Canada.
“It will be incredible and give us the chance to show how wonderful Canada is,” says Melnick.
“Time is the ultimate gift you can give,” adds Kaler.
Fera, Melnick and Kaler have great expectations that they can help Canada leave a lasting impression on the world.
From picking up and jumping head-first into an adventure, to giving their time to make a difference in the success of the Olympics, all three are ready for an incredible experience.
— Angela Sengaus, Feb. 4, 2010
| You can also follow along online and get insider updates and see pictures from Associate Prof. Leanne Armstrong and Recreation Customer Service Manager Shelley Fried. Armstrong and Fried will be blogging about their experience while volunteering at the Olympics. |
Calgary, Alberta, Canada T3E 6K6
403.440.6111
