MEMBERSHIP
Hello there,
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
MADDIE SKEANS MEET THE A Hero in our Midst
ATHLETE
On May 27, 2021, The Glencoe Club received the following letter. Our team was brought to tears hearing about the heroic efforts of one of our young members, Maddie Skeans. With permission from both families involved, we’re sharing this letter with you, our Glencoe community, highlighting the heroism of this exceptional young member. We are so very proud of you, Maddie. The bravery and courage you showed is an inspiration to us all.
32 glencoe.org
I hope this letter finds you well. My name is Shannon Popowich. I am the family friend of one of your long-standing Club members, Maddie Skeans (oldest daughter to Paul and Jane Skeans/Mackimmie). I wanted to take this opportunity to share a story about her from last weekend. I thought her community might be proud to know that they have a hero in their midst. On May 22, 2021, Maddie bravely risked her own life to save our seven-year-old daughter Nora, from drowning. Our families were at our neighbouring cabins in Premiere Lake, British Columbia, for the long weekend. On Saturday, we decided to go on a hike to the “flume,” a place where the water rushes between the deep, narrow channel between the rocks, creating an amazing spectacle of turbulence and white rapids. It had rained earlier in the day and the trail to the flume was partially washed out, so we paused for a moment to take in the scenery and swollen river raging below our path. Like most children, our kids were drawn to the water. They ventured down closer to the water’s edge to throw rocks and splash in the puddles collecting onto the bank. Maddie and Nora had chosen the same rock to sit on to explore the water. All appeared controlled, safe and calm until Nora decided to stand up. Nora slipped as she stood and was pulled into the turbulent, churning water. Because of the undertow, Nora was unable to surface and was pulled downstream by the strong current. Without hesitation, Maddie jumped into the fast-moving water and grabbed Nora.Using all her strength, Maddie held on to Nora and resisted being thrust toward rocks and boulders by the strong current. Maddie’s father, Paul, was first to reach them and was able to grab Maddie, who still had Nora firmly in her arms. This all happened so quickly. Had it not been for the brave and quick actions of your student, Maddie Skeans, we feel certain we would have lost our little girl that afternoon. Maddie saw that Nora was in grave danger and put her own life at risk to save her. There are no words to express the gratitude and appreciation that we feel toward Maddie. She is an amazing and brave young lady, to whom we will be forever grateful. Your Club has a remarkably courageous, incredibly strong, selfless and kind young lady. A not-so-average, but rare Hero. In a time when we are bombarded with the stress, bad news and negativity of this pandemic, I thought you would be encouraged to hear a VERY GOOD story involving one of your members. Thank you & kind regards, Shannon Popowich (Nora’s Mom)
