(December 10, 2002)
Skate Canada congratulates two of its members, Junior National Team member Signe Ronka and coach Patricia Glenwright, for being named recipients of the 2002-2003 Petro-Canada Olympic Torch Scholarship Fund.

Since the fund's inception in 1988, over 1,750 scholarships valued at almost $5.1 million have been awarded to Canadian student-athletes and coaches. In addition to tuition support, the 2002-2003 Petro-Canada Olympic Torch Scholarship Fund provides athlete development funding support for athletes and professional development and special needs funding support for coaches.

Ronka, of Toronto, Ont., was the bronze medallist in the Junior Ladies' event at the 2002 Bank of Montreal Canadian Championships. She is currently a student at D.A. Morrison Junior High School in Toronto. Despite having a busy schedule balancing school with skating, Ronka qualified for the 2003 Junior Grand Prix Final, which was held Dec. 12-15 in The Hague, Netherlands. She will be competing in the Senior Ladies' event at the 2003 BMO Financial Group Canadian Championships. This will be Ronka's first time competing in the Senior Ladies' event, which will take place Jan. 6-12, 2003 in Saskatoon, Sask.

Glenwright has been a Skate Canada Professional Coaching member since 1978. She is currently NCCP Level 3 certified, and she works as a professional coach on staff at several Toronto area skating clubs. In addition to her work at the clubs, Patricia is dedicated to enhancing her knowledge and skills as a professional coach, as she graduated with High Honours from the Seneca College Advanced Diploma Program in Coaching Techniques. She is also currently working on her NCCP Level 4 certification. Patricia also won the 2001 Skate Canada Central Ontario Section Coach Award, and has been involved as a volunteer on committees and technical working groups for the Central Ontario Section and National Association.