Jessie Penney has big dreams. And thanks to the David Bernatchez Memorial Bursary at StFX, she is closer to achieving them.
The incoming StFX human kinetics student from Clarke’s Beach, NL, whose goals are to become a physiotherapist and to represent Canada in rugby, becoming the best player she can be, received the $5,000 bursary honouring Mr. Bernatchez, a 1985 StFX graduate, and 2014 Hall of Honour inductee remembered for a lifelong legacy of helping others.
Mr. Bernatchez made an outsized impact in life. He was a leader from an early age at St. Mary’s High School in Calgary, at StFX, on the rugby pitch, in supporting scholarships for students from Calgary to attend StFX, and in creating the Katherine Fleming Scholarship at the Coady International Institute to honour another friend and leader who also passed too soon.
Ms. Penney, who will suit up with X-Women Rugby, says receiving the award is special.
“I remember looking at my phone and reading the letter from his (Mr. Bernatchez’s) niece, a big smile went on my face,” she says. “That they read what I said, and that they thought I would be a good fit, it meant a lot.”
Ms. Penney says Mr. Bernatchez’s niece mentioned in her note that her uncle wouldn’t have been able to attend university at StFX without scholarship support, and she says she can relate. “University is expensive, wherever you go,” she says. “I’m super grateful.”
And learning about Mr. Bernatchez’s life was inspiring, she says. “We’re not connected, but kind of connected. It’s an honour.”
Ms. Penney says she’s excited about attending StFX and the opportunities ahead. Both the university and the X-Women felt like the right environment for her.
She’s only ever heard positive things, and the strong academics, family-oriented university community, small size and proximity to the water appealed. “That’s where I want to go.”
Although she came to rugby a bit later, only starting just before Grade 10, Ms. Penney has certainly achieved success. This summer, she competed at the 2023 Atlantic Rugby championship held in Nova Scotia and immediately after travelled to Ottawa where she was invited to attend Rugby Canada’s Women’s Under 18-East Camp, part of the selection process for the national team.
Other recent achievements include selection to the Canada Games team representing Newfoundland and Labrador and competing on the provincial U18 team. She’s also been a member of the St. John’s Swilers and played on her high school team at Ascension College after her dad, a former rugby player himself, started a women’s team in her Grade 11 year which garnered much interest from players.
Ms. Penney, involved in a range of activities including dance, musicals, dinner theater, and volunteering at her high school, says rugby wasn’t on her radar until about age 15, when she tried out for a St. John’s team, about an hour’s drive from her home. Now it’s something she thinks about every day.
“I went to try it out. I went to one practice and said ‘yeah, this is my sport.’ It’s a very team orientated sport and I really loved that, and I loved meeting new people. It’s very exciting,” she says.
“It’s something I look forward to. Obviously, it’s hard work, but I like having something to work towards. It’s cliché, but I fell in love with the sport.”
Members of the selection committee were impressed by Ms. Penney’s determination, leadership, and community contributions. Bursary recipients must have demonstrated community service or leadership, show ability to contribute to StFX student life, demonstrate financial need, and either play or volunteer for the male or female rugby teams.
“The committee really appreciated Jessie’s tenacity in travelling a long distance to play with a rugby club while also juggling a full schedule of varsity sports, student council and fundraising activities,” says Rachel Feddema, Mr. Bernatchez’s niece and committee member.
Committee chair Larry MacEachern says Ms. Penney has demonstrated great leadership skills at a young age as well as a combination of personal self-discipline, an interest in her community, and the ability to engage others around a cause.
“Dave had diverse interests. He enjoyed rugby, other sports, and the arts. He was a loyal friend and devoted time to the causes that were important to him. We believed that Jessie possesses many of the same qualities,” says committee member Suzanne Anderson.
