Crosshill resident Sarah Van Allen is an 18-year-old student in her first year at the University of Waterloo. She plays varsity rugby, league hockey and she’s been a step dancer since she was four. This previous EDSS student is also one of 12,000 torchbearers across the country to be chosen to run in the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay.

The 2010 Torch Relay is 100 days in length, and began Oct. 30, 2009. The torch will be carried over one thousand communities. On Dec. 27, it will reach Stratford, Ontario, where Van Allen will be running at 12:25pm on Downie Street. It is a high honour to be chosen to run with the Olympic Flame, as it has a sacred past that symbolizes peace, brotherhood and friendship.

February is when she first got involved, she says as her hand brushes back her hair that’s fallen loose of her messy bun. She’s wearing bold glasses, a bright orange sweater and severely shredded jeans. Her cheery mood brightens the room as she explains about the ad in the paper she saw and how she applied online. It was through Coca-Cola, which has sponsored the Olympic Torch Relay since 1928.

“I was excited to get past the first round, but I was beyond belief that I actually got it,” said Van Allen. “I was home alone, and I actually screamed.”

After making it to the second round, she was required to write an essay, explaining why she would be a good person to represent the community and explain how she lived a healthy active lifestyle.

“I focused mine through my volunteering and athletic, fit experience.”

Throughout the years, Van Allen has been involved in a multitude of volunteer and active opportunities. She’s helped at school track and field events, Operation Christmas Child, the Grand River Cancer Centre and last year she was crowned Wellesley Fall Ambassador. Her responsibilities included running tours at the Apple Butter and Cheese Festival last September and helping with different community events.

During public school she participated in track and field, ran in the Tinman Triathalon at EDSS two years in a row and was awarded MVP of the year for girl’s rugby last school year.

Many of her winter days are taken up with her hockey, but snowboarding is another sport she’s extremely excited about during the upcoming frosty months.

She has all her own equipment, and has her own pass for Chicopee so she can board in her free time.

While managing her class work in her honours Kinesiology Co-op program, she also works at Crossroads Family Restaurant in Elmira, as a cashier and waitress. She finds herself reading, scrapbooking or hanging out with her friends and family when she can fit it in her schedule.
Although Van Allen is involved in many extracurricular activities, so many she sometimes finds it difficult to handle, she keeps a positive attitude.

“You can always let stress get to you but you have to learn how much is enough and if you keep on top of things you can’t let anything get you down.”

Van Allen smiles as the topic relates back to the Olympic Torch. Her uncle ran it in ’88, and she is filled with pleasure at being able to carry on the tradition. As a keepsake, she’s buying and displaying her torch to remind her of her wonderful experience and voyage.

“Something that I have always kept in the back of mind is that if you strive your best for something, it really is possible. Even if you don’t reach the top, it’s the journey that counts, and that place that you end up is meant for you and it will be completely worth getting there.”

Her bubbling giggles fill the room as she talks about various subjects. Her personality is loud, energetic and jolly. She loves the Olympics. Watching the hockey is her favourite, but she also enjoys the figure skating and ski jumping as well, and she’s enthralled at the idea that she gets to be part of the hype.

Van Allen’s grin widens and her blue eyes shine with happiness. Less than a month until she’ll be running, and she’s psyched.

“Come if you can,” she says. “Definitely just come to support the community event and experience the atmosphere because you never know when you will get another chance to celebrate the Olympics close to you!”