Maren Kasunich
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Name: |
Maren Kasunich |
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FNMI community: |
M’Chigeeng First Nation |
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Birth Year: |
2006 |
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Sport(s): |
Running |
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Nominator: |
Melissa Kasunich |
Maren’s Anishnabemowin name truly suits her spirit. She is an ‘Anongoohns’ (Bright star), as she shines brightly in all that she does and gives. She is a kind and giving person and she trains every season giving it her all. She applies herself to the best of her abilities in all that she does, whether it is in school, at work, or in helping others. She is a positive, kind, and compassionate young lady who makes good choices based on her values and teachings.
Maren has set records on Manitoulin Island over the years, as well as in Northern Ontario, in track running events and in XC Running. She has been making it to provincial invitational races in cross country and track since she was in grade 7 to compete against high school students.
Maren assisted with younger children while in public school and volunteered in the school library. Maren has volunteered every year to raise funds for the Heart and Stroke Foundation since grade one, and has assisted with peers in her classes who need support.
With the ongoing drug crisis amongst our First Nations people and youth, Maren has chosen a healthier path of refraining from drugs and holding strong to her teachings and values of living Mino Biimaadiziwin, the good life.
Maren admires many role models and mentors, for their values and integrity, perseverance and heart. She received the honour of getting to speak with Billy Mills to hear his story of challenge and triumph. She has gratitude for her coach, Gerry Holliday, who volunteers to train her and has a similar work hard ethic.
“One of the main reasons I believe Maren to be a strong contender for this award, is in her ability to adapt to new challenges; the attribute of a good leader. She was quick to analyze what was required of her, implementing training methods foreign to her. Within the next four months this athlete would apply herself through a rigorous training program to become in her age category, the top female track and cross country athlete in Northern Ontario. Over the next couple of years she would remain persistent conducting herself with a maturity far beyond her years.” – Coach
