Through the Sandra Schmirler Foundation, Maple Ridge’s Ashley Ann Dezura has been selected as one of six recipients of the 2024 Spirit of Sandra Scholars.

Dezura, who was also a 2023 recipient is studying Psychology and Theatre at the University of Western Ontario.

The Spirit of Sandra Scholarship program, now in its 11th year, provides financial support to student-athletes who embody the spirit of Sandra Schmirler – a three-time world curling champion and Olympic gold medalist whose legacy lives on through this initiative.

The 2024 Spirit of Sandra Scholars:

• Makena Bailey (Saskatchewan)
• Nicholas Codner (Newfoundland & Labrador)
• Ashley Ann Dezura (British Columbia)
• Allie Iskiw (Alberta)
• Jack MacFadyen (Prince Edward Island)
• Kali Skauge (Northwest Territories)

During their scholarship year, each scholar is required to organize a fundraising event to benefit the Sandra Schmirler Foundation. At the end of the 2024-25 season, the scholars will award a $10,000 grant to a hospital to purchase life-saving equipment for its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

“This year’s Spirit of Sandra Scholars represent the very best of Canada’s young athletes, with recipients from every corner of our nation. Their dedication to both their sport and their studies is truly inspiring. We are proud to support these exceptional individuals as they strive for excellence on and off the ice, carrying forward Sandra Schmirler’s legacy of perseverance and community spirit.” – Janet Murphy, Chair of the Sandra Schmirler Foundation Board.

This year’s Scholars will be mentored by world champion and Olympic curlers Lisa Weagle and Brett Gallant.

“We are incredibly proud of our 2024 scholars. Each of them has already achieved so much both on and off the ice, and we know they will continue to accomplish great things in the year and years ahead. The Spirit of Sandra Scholarship not only eases their financial burden but also connects them with our mission of helping babies and families across Canada.” – Lisa Weagle, Scotties and World Champion, and two-time Olympian.

Since 2001, the Sandra Schmirler Foundation has raised funds to save the lives of babies born too soon, too small, or too sick. The Foundation has raised over $8 million for over 105 hospitals in every province and territory to purchase life-saving equipment for thousands of premature and critically ill babies and their families.