I applied to RBC in about February to be a Torch bearer. You were asked to fill in a “Pledge” on how to build a better Canada and how you could contribute within the community.

I wrote it around my 29 years teaching the Kinder gym Program at the Ottawa Gymnastics Centre and the importance of providing children with a healthy and active start to life. My focus was around the belief that if children learned to enjoy sport and activity early in life they would hopefully make it part of their everyday routine throughout life. I stressed the importance of learning in a positive environment with lots of emphasis on building not only physical health but also confidence and self esteem and having fun at the same time.

I didn’t really think it would be accepted but I believed strongly in what I wrote so felt comfortable that I would always honour my pledge anyway. I received a call in May to say I was pre-selected (first set of selection process) and was quite surprised and thrilled. I only found out when I was on the shuttle to my starting point that there were 12,000 torch bearers selected from the 2 million applicants!

I couldn’t believe what a great honour and privilege it was to have such a special moment. I held the torch high and proud for every step of my 300 metres as my family and friends and people I had never met cheered me on!

Lori