Jamie Burnett

2005 – 2006 “Money for College” Scholarship Winner

Jamie is from Arnold, Missouri and plans to attend Central Missouri State University beginning in the fall of 2005.  She will be majoring in photography, with a minor in business.  Jamie plans to open a sporting goods store upon graduation, where she will be displaying her sports photography.

During high school, Jamie was an active participant with both community and volunteer projects.  She was a weekly volunteer at the Hospice House, she also tutored 4 and 5 year olds through the A-Plus Program, educated teens through the Excel Youth Leadership Program, and volunteered at the local Ice Skating Rink.  In addition, Jamie has also earned her Girl Scout “Gold Award,” and has been honored with the Good Sport Award from the International Skating Institute.

Congratulations Jamie on your extraordinary accomplishments and on winning the CFS 2005 – 2006 “Money for College” Scholarship!

“What One Thing or Person Has Had the Most Influence on Your Life and Why?”  by Jamie Burnett

The person that has most greatly influenced my life would be my coach Bridgid LaMear.  She coaches The Blade Brigade Synchronized Skating Team.  I have been on the team for 5 years and she has been there for me every step of the way.  

Bridgid has shown me what it is to be a part of the team, to work together and that we are only as strong as our weakest skater.  She has taught me to communicate, cooperate and to be grateful for each skater’s strong point; to be patient and willing to help when it comes to their weaker points, and to respect each other as a whole.  

I am by no means the strongest skater on my team.  When I started out I struggled with a lot of the foot work.  Bridgid was always willing to take the time to help me out and go over things as many times as I needed her to.  This was very motivating for me because I believe that it was her willingness to help out that made me decide to stick with skating for the next several years.  The team members also were great to work with and always willing to help out; I think this too was because of Bridgid’s fine examples.

Bridgid is also amazing when it comes to practices and competition.  She is always pushing us to our limits, which she always seems to know even if we don’t.  For example, at the beginning of the year when we were choreographing our program, she informed us that we were going to add a new element – back flips.  The whole team laughed until they realized she was serious and immediately the “there’s no way” and the “I can’t do it” started popping out of every one’s mouth.  But, that didn’t stop Bridgid.  She worked us until we felt comfortable and eventually we tried them on the ice; one girl in the middle flipping and two girls on either side to hold her arms.  It was awesome, and by the end of the year, our whole team was either flipping someone in our program or being flipped.

Bridgid always believed in us and encouraged us to give it our all.  During the practices she pushed us hard, but for her it was not about winning, she made skating fun.  That is why I was so drawn to the sport, it was fun and everyone was dedicated and willing to challenge themselves.  I believe every one’s dedication was a direct result of the dedication Bridgid put into the team.

Bridgid has given me a great gift, to feel a part of something that involves more than just yourself and succeeding at something you have dedicated so much time to and made many sacrifices for.  So, that is why Bridgid has had such a great influence on my life.