The Burnaby NOW high school female athlete of the year has hit the big time.
Kamila Wojciechowski, a graduating senior from St. Thomas More Collegiate, earned an athletic scholarship to play basketball at the six-time Canadian Interuniversity Sports varsity women's champion University of British Columbia this fall.
"It feels really different. I was always from a small school, and now UBC is like a mini city. So far,
I know where the gym is, where to eat and where the weight room is - the three most important places," said Wojciechowski. "It's a change, but I'm excited for it."
While being offered a scholarship by Deb Huband, the most successful coach in women's basketball history at UBC, shocked the Burnaby teen, her skill set was never in question.
Wojciechowski was an honourable mention at the AA high school girls' provincial championships, and an all-star at the Lower Mainlands this season and last, as well as a regular on the provincial select team for the past four years.
Not bad for a young woman, who picked up her first basketball at the South Burnaby Metro Club at the age of 13.
"I'm a quick learner. I have a natural ability of shifting gears after a coach sees a problem," said Wojciechowski. "I was learning very quickly, and I was loving the sport. I
was getting very good and I just kept going."
When Wojciechowski was named to her first B.C. under-14 team, it was further motivation that she was on the right path.
"This is going well. I should strive to to go even further," she remembered thinking.
That kind of forward thinking was an inspiration she drew from her father, who is currently battling cancer.
"(My dad) showed me that no matter what happens, everything will work out - keep pursuing your dream and keep going. He has cancer and is going through treatment, but he has not stopped working and providing for the family. He believes hard work will pay off. He's doing well now, though," Wojciechowski said.
On top of all her athletic prowess, including a topeight finish in shot put at the B.C.s, Wojciechowksi has been an honour roll student at STM since coming to the Burnaby independent in Grade 8. She was a member of the student council, head of the poster and dance clubs, a member of the Blessed Edmund Rice committee and the editor and principal photographer for the school's year book.
This year, Wojciechowski also earned a citizenship prize as voted on by her peers, and was the graduating class valedictorian.
"I found out I was valedictorian on my birthday. It was a very good birthday present," she said. "I graduated with an amazing group of people. It was an amazing experience to be in that position."
Wojciechowski hopes to have medicine in her future, believing in a need to help others.
Some instructors at the school even suggested she return and teach at STM. Both career paths have appeal to Wojciechowski.
But right now, basketball is in her front court. "I just want to play hard and get a national championship out of it with the girls. Hopefully that happens in the next five years," she said, adding playing professionally in Europe is also attractive.
"Being chosen as the top female athlete of the year is a complete honour. It's pretty awesome," Wojciechowski said.
Adversity, she said, is what shapes us as individuals.
"Nothing can get in my way, if I want to pursue my dream."
And part of that message comes from the supportive community environment at STM.
"They teach us a lot of lessons - be yourself and to excel at what you want to work at. ... They are supportive in every single way, and they're always there to help you," she added.
Perhaps not surprisingly, Wojciechowski spent part of her summer helping out at the UBC sports camps, giving back to the community with her new Thunderbird teammates.
ON THE SHORTLIST.
Layla Balooch - Burnaby North - B.C. high school AAAA girls' volleyball championships. To UBC in rowing program. Clarisse Dos Santos - STM - won gold at the B.C. high school, Western Canada age class and Lower Fraser Valley zone championships. To SFU in wrestling program
