Joannie Rochette

Joannie Rochette and her bronze medal (http://www.life.com/image/97100740)

Have you ever felt really nervous about a competition, tournament or something that could change your life? Well Joannie Rochette probably did before every figure skating competition. Joannie is from Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Her hometown is Ile Dupas, Quebec, Canada. She was born on January 13, 1986. She is 24 years old. Joannie started figure skating at age 6. Joannie loved skating at her family home, because by their house there was a lake. She would spend hours there practicing skating. Last year at the 2010 Winter Olympics something happened that would change her life.

In Joannie's early career she participated in many competitions, testings, and went through a lot of training and spent a lot of time at the rink. Her mother was very supportive in all of her competitions. Last year just before she was going to compete in the Olympics, Joannie's mother passed away suddenly from heart disease. Joannie still competed in the Olympics and got a bronze medal. When she found out her mother died she decided that she would stay in and skate.

Joannie started an organization in her mother's memory called Iheartmom. Iheartmom is an organization that raises money for heart disease. Joannie was chosen to be the Pepsi Refresh Ambassador. Then Pepsi Refresh will donate money to an organization. They also have necklaces to buy for $150.00 I know that sounds like a lot but all the money goes to Iheartmom. Joannie has also been in many competitions.

When Joannies mom passes away, everyone was shocked when this happened and was inspired she had many interviews. One time Joannie had a conversation with Canadian singer Celine Dion, a few years ago the same thing happened to Celine. Her father had passed away and then that night she was supposed to perform a concert. She ended up performing her concert because she said it was like she was singing for her father. Celine was Joannies inspiration. Joannie even changed the music for her routine to a Celine Dion�s song because it was one of her mom favourite singers.

Joannie Wearing the iheartmom Pendant (http://www.birks.com/en/featured/jr/Joannie_Rochette.htm)

Joannie shows people that when times are hard you can't give up. She also started an organization called Iheartmom. She designed a necklace, it is a silver heart with 3 spirals in the middle representing her spins and how she got bronze. The money raised from the necklace goes to the Iheartmom organization.

Joannie is a hero to me because she was very strong during her tough time. She also started a campaign to research for heart disease. Joannie is coming to Winnipeg on May 7th, 2011. Everyone can learn a lot from Joannie; not just about skating but skating with heart.