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34 - The Oakville Beaver, Friday August 11, 2006 www.oakvillebeaver.com Division 1 hockey scholarship rewards McMonagle's efforts 7100 Blackberry By Jaime Neefs SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER $ 149 3 year contract · E-mail and organizer applications · Text Messaging · Integrated phone and built-in headset jack · Mike's Direct Connect service · GPS enabled · Bluetooth v1.1 supports compliant Bluetooth headset car kit and desktop synchronization · Optional voice, corporate data and Internet services Oakville 210 North Service Rd. W. (at Dorval Dr.) Burlington 3480 Fairview St. (just west of Walker's Line on South side) Hamilton 667 Parkdale Ave. N. (one block south of Burlington St.) Brantford 415 Fairview Dr. (across from Zellers/Zehrs) 905.469.1155 905.333.1135 905.549.0003 519.758.0422 `helping you communicate' Celebrating 10 Years · 1996 - 2006 *Limited time offer. See dealer for details. ©2006 TELUS. Sean McMonagle has risen to the challenge, faced the competition, and climbed toward the ultimate goal. Earlier this year, McMonagle, then a Grade 12 student at St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School, committed to a full hockey scholarship from Brown University. This is already a high point of his days as a competitive hockey player, although in a way those days are just beginning. McMonagle discovered his talent at the age of six. With an undeniable bribe from his parents, he agreed to take the ice, and has never wanted to step off it since. Throughout the hectic schedule, countless arenas, late nights and early mornings, McMonagle has demonstrated qualities of dedication, motivation, determination, and passion. His decision to decline an offer to play in the OHL so he could work toward a Division 1 scholarship has never been so rewarding. As he prepares to showcase his dynamic hockey skill at the prestigious Brown University, McMonagle believes he has what it takes to make the cut. Brown University boasts many notable attributes, such as being a leading Ivy League school and a historic site in the United States. According to statistics based on the undergrad class of 2006, 16 per cent of applicants are admitted, 9 per cent of whom are international students. Also, more female students are accepted than male students. McMonagle is set to achieve a post-secondary education most people dream of. Not only has he broken the mold academically, but he also proved that he is capable of setting a goal and following through. For McMonagle, a former member of the Oakville Blades, the road to his hockey success has been more than early morning practices, road trips, and dry-land training. His achievements have been impacted by a support group consisting of family, friends, and the St. Thomas Aquinas community. The encouragement he has received through the years has helped him continue towards his goal, even through difficult times. The role of a teacher is to support, encourage, and inspire a student to understand his or her full potential. To the benefit of McMonagle, the staff of St. Thomas Aquinas assisted him in his studies by accommodating his busy hockey schedule. Teachers granted extensions in understanding of his long-term goals and not just short-term success. McMonagle's dedication to school and hockey is reflective of his character and achievements. Assigned alphabetically, Mrs. Mamolo became McMonagle's guidance counselor when he entered high school, and went on to lead him on a path to academic success. She was very involved with McMonagle's post-secondary choices in his senior years and St.Thomas Aquinas Secondary School is very proud to be represented across the border by such a well-rounded individual. Though McMonagle's hockey talent is uniquely individual, his overall success has been affected by the people in his life. A dream begins in a child and results in a decision of whether that dream is to be pursued. Success is achieved when one steps out of his comfort zone and takes on the responsibility to make that dream a reality. For Sean McMonagle, he has not yet realized his dream, but he has accomplished -- or scored -- a goal. With knowledge and guidance from his family, inspiration and motivation from the St. Thomas Aquinas community, and definite talent and passion for the game, it seems certain that McMonagle will score many more goals on his journey towards his hockey dream. -- Jaime Neefs is a student at St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School. Shepley tees off at Canadian Open Jessica Shepley had an up-and-down start to her first-ever round at the CN Canadian Women's Open. SPORTSBRIEFS The 23-year-old local resident scored two birdies, two pars and two bogeys in her opening six holes at the golf tournament, which began yesterday and concludes Sunday at London's Hunt and Country Club. Shepley hit half the fairways and half the greens in regulation over those first six holes, playing in a threesome with Eva Dahllof and Maggie Will. Shepley was scheduled to complete yesterday's round after the Beaver's press deadline and will tee it up again today, hoping to make the cut and play on the weekend. Sunday at Bronte Athletic Field. The Blue Devils lead the CSL's National Division with a 6-3-3 record, but have not played a CSL match since a 1-1 tie with the Windsor Border Stars July 29. North York, meanwhile, is sixth in the National Division with a 3-5-4 mark. Game time is scheduled for 5 p.m. Cru hopes to avenge McCormick loss Last year's McCormick Cup finalists will collide once again when Balmy Beach visits the Oakville Crusaders tomorrow at Crusader Park. Oakville is currently second in the Ontario Rugby Union's Marshall Premiership division with a record of 5-2-1. Balmy Beach, which downed the Crusaders 27-19 in last year's McCormick Cup game at Fletcher's Fields in Markham, is 4-3-1. The Crusaders are coming off a 21-19 loss to the third-place Irish Canadians last Thursday. Oakville and Balmy Beach are scheduled to begin their match at 3 p.m. Blue Devils back in action The Oakville Blue Devils hope a long layoff from Canadian Soccer League action won't hurt them when they host the North York Astros