The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
A former Flin Flonner has been honoured with the B.C./Y.T. Recreation Club Coach Award of Excellence. Lis Iannone accepted the award this past spring at the Skate Canada Awards Banquet in Richmond, B.C. Iannone volunteers at the Beaver Valley Skating Club (BVSC) and region and section levels. Her nomination was kept a surprise until the actual gala event. "What a thrill to be considered for this awesome award to begin with - then to win for B.C. and the National award is so incredible," she says. And she adds, "I am so honoured and fortunate to be a part of the BVSC team for the past 29 years." Shelley Verhelst, who also won an award for her volunteer work with the BVSC, had praise for Iannone. "Iannone's ability to relate to each skater makes her so special," says Verhelst, adding that Iannone is "able to adapt her coaching abilities to fit each kid." Now a resident of Fruitvale, B.C., Iannone began her career in Flin Flon, which she says was "such a rewarding experience and it has (had) such a positive impact in my life." "It's the skaters who drive and motivate me everyday," she says. "It's the desire to teach anybody to learn to skate." Iannone adds, "I believe it is important to promote all aspects of skating, not exclusively figure skating, so that it comes a life long skill." And she says, "every person has the potential to do something good. I love the challenge to make these kids the best person they can be." Iannone says she's not looking to necessarily make her skaters the best athletes, but the best people. "The lessons I have learned from the skaters are much greater then the lessons I give," says the coach. - Compiled from a submitted article.
