A Little Family's Big Dreams

Hello – I’m so happy to be greeting you today. My name is Nikki Holwerda, but that is not the title pushing me to write today. NikaDean was commonly heard in my growing up years – it was the title given when people could not tell my sister and me apart, so they just blended our names-Nikki and Nadine. Being connected with my sister has also given me another name - Auntie Nikki.

It is the NikaDean and Auntie Nikki parts of me reaching out to share some of the amazingness going on with my sister’s little family of two.

Starting with the tough stuff

…. those doggone sporting fees

I have an understanding of sporting fees. I have sat on pool decks to shout encouragement to my boys whose heads were underwater and have driven around with back seats full of kids and equipment. I’ve known more dance theatres and paid for more costumes than I can even remember. I get it – we all get it – and we all know - sporting is a choice, a privilege – a chance to see our kidlets develop new skills and test their potential;

BUT

what if

that POTENTIAL was LIMITLESS?

(please allow an Auntie to brag a little)

Nadine noticed it right away. Jonnie had a spatial awareness much different than most. Her daughter’s innate ability to connect to her body and understand movement was unique, and Nadine recognized its gift. For Jonnie, learning the skills to bike, skate, or swim came super quickly and naturally. Her body intelligence helped her to adapt and excel in many different sports.

Once, on one of the first times Jonnie had ever been skiing, the ski coach approached Nadine and asked if Jonnie would join the ski team! So did the swimming club – the one where at 8 years old Jonnie was one of the fastest young swimmers in Canada. So did the kayak club – where Jonnie was one of the fastest paddlers in Canada. She tried every sport, and she loved them all.

And as Jonnie played and learned - Nadine dreamed and planned. She wished for Jonnie the resilience and strength of a champion not only athletically but in her heart and mind. Nadine recognized that Jonnie’s success couldn’t be focused on winning – a champion is more than results. As they worked together, Jonnie threw herself into the skills that make great leaders, encouragers and learners. She jumped at chances of responsibility – teaching ones younger than herself and accepting captain or assistant captain positions when possible.

She just shone EVERYWHERE!

But then Jonnie fell in love. Together this little family had discovered a hidden gem. A place where art and water danced with symmetry – a place where inexhaustible joy was offered an outlet. Artistic Swimming (formerly known as synchronized swimming of the Carolyn Waldo fame).

Jonnie ran towards this venture full tilt. She was the one handing the keys to her mom telling her it was time to go. Jonnie was alive with this new challenge – so Nadine ran along with her pointing out obstacles and clearing debris so her girl could run unencumbered.

Jonnie needed more flexibility – they found a stretching coach.

Jonnie needed more strength – they found a strength coach.

Jonnie needed more artistry – they found a ballet teacher.

Jonnie needed more time to train – they found a homeschool program.

You get the idea! And Jonnie made the most of every opportunity – she got flexible, strong, danced her heart out and plans to graduate at 16.

My beautiful sister used all her intelligence and skill to anticipate and solve problems. She made a way for Jonnie. She navigated parenting the treasure of her daughter with an agility that left me, a mom of four, in awe. This little family had figured out a way to move as a duet, both using their own special talents to support the dream.

The Big Dream

Represent Canada as an Artistic Swimmer

Nope, not a Crazy Dream

2022 Accomplishments

- 2022 Canadian Junior Tech Duet Champion

- 2022 Canadian Junior Free Duet Silver medallist

- 2022 Canadian Junior Tech Solo Silver medallist

- 2022 Canadian Junior Team Bronze medallist

The Next Obstacle

In Artistic Swimming, one of the most amazing things to watch is the highlights. These are the moments when one of the swimmers is thrown high up into the air. They take your breath away. This year, Jonnie’s team unexpectedly needed a flyer. Jonnie said, “I’ll do it!”, took a deep breath, and embraced this new challenge. Before this, Jonnie had used her strength to push her teammates into the air, literally the position of “spring.” Jonnie accepted her new role as flyer just weeks away from the National Qualifiers – and man, did she fly. All that athleticism and passion burst out of the water – and her team rose higher than they have ever been before.

I like word pictures and I think that this is the best one to explain the need at the current moment.

Up until now, Jonnie and Nadine have been swimming a duet. Jonnie flies and Nadine is the spring. It’s worked – Nadine has always figured it out. Now I see that Nadine needs a “push” herself.

When Jonnie was competing at Canadian Championships in Quebec last month - Nadine was sitting at her computer at home trying to solve the problem of how to push Jonnie higher. The financial weight of stewarding Jonnie's gift was heavy. I was on the phone with her as her daughter’s team won their first-ever Canadian Championship Junior Bronze medal. Her excitement for Jonnie and her team was so incredible, and her pride in Jonnie made me cry. (Yup, I’m the emotional one).

And then the newest amazing news!!! Jonnie had been invited to the next level of tryouts for the:

Canadian National Junior Team! WHOOOOOOOT! ! ! !

Jonnie’s dream of representing Canada is starting to come true.

The FINA Junior World Championships will be in Quebec City August 23 – 27th, 2022. Jonnie is working hard to get there and WEAR THE MAPLE LEAF!

So Friends – going back to the image of Nadine and Jonnie’s Duet, can I ask instead that we imagine a whole team – lifting Nadine to push Jonnie past the surface. A team that could support Nadine as she springs that amazing kid upward. Jonnie could fly higher and farther than she has ever gone before. That would be amazing.

Break Down of Fees

Remaining Championship Fees and overages – $600

National Team Tryout Prep

Strength and Conditioning – $500

Ballet - $400

Dance and Stretch Coach - $500

Pool time and Artistic Swimming Coaches- $1000

National Team Tryout fees - $1000

(Upon Successful Selection to Juniors fees would be

$9000)

Thank you!

Thank you for reading all the way down to the end of this long missive. I know Nadine will be embarrassed by all this attention. Nadine says that this is Jonnie’s story and she is just happy to be a part of it. But, just like the highlights, when you only see one above the water, we know they only get there by the strength of the team underneath.