Young Alumna: A Leader on the Ice and in Raising Awareness for Down Syndrome

While we watch and mentor our students as they grow physically, develop intellectually, and mature into leaders during their time with us, we also know that our School is a lift-off point for their future successes. Seeing our alumni move forward from KES and carry with them our community ideals of dignity, respect, gentleness, and learning is a testament to the foundation our School provided them. A great example of just this is Class of 2023 alumna Jada MacKinnon who is now excelling in the classroom, on the ice, and as a leader at Manhattanville College in New York State. Recently Jada took a leadership role in helping spearhead a Down Syndrome awareness game for the hockey team at Manhattanville.

 

 

Jada, originally from Barrington, Nova Scotia started at King’s-Edgehill in Grade 9 and made an immediate impact in our school thanks to her kindness, humility, and empathy. By the time she graduated, Jada was a leader on our girls hockey team, a two-time provincial champion rugby player, and a genuine friend to all she met on campus.

 

Now studying biochemistry, Jada commented on how “The transition to university hockey has been very smooth coming from KES and although the players here are bigger stronger and very skilled, playing at King’s with so many talented and hard-working athletes taught me how to adapt to the changes at this level.” Athletic preparation wasn’t the only area that Jada noted and added, “KES prepared me both academically and athletically. Living on campus for four years gave me the opportunity to learn how to be independent and learn necessary life skills that have helped me in university.”

 

In their January 27 game against Alvernia University, Jada’s Manhattanville Valiants team hosted a Down Syndrome awareness game. Jada’s brother Cameron, who lives with Down Syndrome, has always been a huge supporter and motivator for Jada and she an advocate for him. As she put it, “The game was put into place to raise awareness for the Down Syndrome population and give an opportunity for those in it to feel extra special and have a great experience.” Cameron was actually able to make the trip stateside and featured prominently in the event. “We decided to hold the awareness game when Cameron was in town for the weekend. He got the opportunity to go on the ice and drop the game puck, go spend time with the tram, and have a special ceremony that he will cherish for a lifetime.”

 

When offering up some final reflections, Jada offered: “King’s-Edgehill was a big part of my life for so long and I definitely have moments when I miss it. I miss the close-knit community that KES has. Everybody knew everybody and there was never a dull moment on campus. KES is so welcoming and has the best people ever. I made the best friends and memories during my four years at King’s.”