Rowing Scholarship
By: Brooke Labonté

Determination, tremendous commitment and extreme will power, are all qualities universities look for when determining scholarships. One student of Notre Dame was exceptionally talented and received a full scholarship to the University of Minnesota in the United States.

In grade ten Christine Beauparlant began her journey in rowing here at Notre Dame. Training seven days a week for three hours per day, she quickly became one of the most notable rowers on the team. Throughout the summer she joined the South Niagara Rowing Club and competed at the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta receiving a gold medal. Returning to Notre Dame for winter training, Christine prepared herself for the spring competitions. She attended the Stotesbury Cup Regatta in Philadelphia and came in first by eight seconds. Notre Dame had not attended this regatta in over thirty years. One of her most impressive accomplishments occurred this fall in Boston, Massachusetts. Prior to this Regatta Christine trained extensively seven days a week for a spot in the priority boat. Succeeding, she competed at the Head of the Charles landing in fourth place out of sixty eight boats.

The University of Minnesota sent scouts to observe Christine’s rowing throughout the past two years, and have shown great interest in her abilities. She continued to impress them and was offered a chance to visit the campus. During this visit, Coach Davis offered her a full scholarship consisting of tuition and fees, room and board, and books. The renewable scholarship is an overall total of $35, 000 a year. Traveling home, Christine decided that the offer was too good to pass up and accepted it the next day.

In the fall of 2009 Christine Beauparlant will be attending the University of Minnesota taking courses in graphic design and photography and will become one of the newest members of the rowing roster.