Local student earns Bronze at National Figure Skating Competition Local child actors bursting with talent

by Brandon Mayer

Alex himself feels that acting has been instrumental in teaching him how to study.

Grade 11 South Grenville District High School (SGDHS) student Kadynn Morrison is excelling in both her school and skating careers, earning a national bronze medal last month, while staying involved in academics and extracurriculars at the school.

On Jan. 25, the Spencerville-born SGDHS honour roll student travelled to Regina, Saskatchewan for the 2022-2023 Skate Canada Challenge with her skating partner, Wesley Lockwood from Kingston.

“The trip was an overall great experience. The atmosphere was both welcoming and friendly and the competition was incredible,” says Morrison, noting that this was her first time on a plane since she was 4.

Nineteen pre-novice pairs from across the country competed at the multi-day staking event.

After the first day of partner dances, Kadynn and Wesley were ranked second. The second day consisted of free dancing, and the duo held a top-three spot and came home on Jan. 29 with a bronze medal.

Kadynn explains that she had an exam the day she left on her trip, and one waiting for her when she got back. “I had to plan and prepare in advance for my exams, and I was lucky to not have any scheduled while I was away”.

As a hard-working student, Kadynn has made the honour roll with an 80 per cent average or more in each class of her high school career thus far. At her Grade 8 graduation in June 2020, she received the principal’s award, a character award and Athlete of the Year.

Kadynn started skating when she was 2 years old, and has skated at the Spencerville Skating Club, Prescott Figure Skating Club, and currently at the Brockville Figure Skating Club.

“This is the year that my skating career is starting to take off,” Kadynn explains. “I’m receiving new and exciting opportunities. I am grateful for my partner, Wesley, and the hard work we’ve both put in.”

The skating duo has been training together three to four times a week since Nov. 2022, alternating between Brockville and Kingston. On top of the intense training, Kadynn is currently involved with the SGDHS student senate, on the senior girls’ volleyball team, and taking university-level classes.

Kadynn and Wesley are currently preparing for a skating competition in Gloucester Feb.17-19, which is a qualifier for Provincials to be held in Stratford, Ontario in March.

“We are incredibly proud of Kadynn and her work ethic both inside and outside of our school,” says SGDHS Principal Trisha Johnston. “She’s a great role model and a great ambassador, and we will continue to cheer her on as she pursues her goals.”

Kemptville brothers Ethan and Alex Kerr have more in common than just looks – they also have a unique talent for acting. It all started when older brother Ethan decided that he wanted to be in a commercial. While Ethan’s interest in acting soon wavered, his initiative lived on through his brother, Alex, who succeeded where many other kids have only tried. Alex ended up being in two commercials, one for a financial planning company, and one for toy retailer Toys R Us.

Ethan and Alex’s mother, Cheryl Kerr, explained that while Ethan quickly tired of acting, his little brother Alex had taken a keen interest in watching the elder brother’s endeavors. “Alex kept trying to memorize Ethan's lines when Ethan had an audition, and Alex heard his brother with his acting coach from LA online and wanted to give it a try,” said Cheryl. “Alex started coaching with Ethan's acting coach, and Ethan's acting interest faded. Alex's coach said that he should reach out to Ethan's agents. They interviewed Alex and loved him.”

Cheryl explained that acting is not something she would have assumed Alex would naturally take a shine to. “The funny thing is that Alex had speech therapy when he was younger for a couple of years and has a very quiet personality, still to this day,” she said. “He takes everything he does seriously, schooling as well. He absolutely loves acting and asks for drama classes every night.”

Cheryl is happy about Alex’s continued interest in acting because of the life skills that it can help to develop. This includes skills such as how to do an interview and engage in public speaking, and it also gives self confidence, among so many other great benefits.

“It's been an amazing experience for him and me too!” Cheryl added. “He's tried other interests that he wasn't so passionate about. He wants to be an actor, and he has a lot going for him in other subjects too, so we'll see how it all unravels. I can see that he's going to do something great.”

Alex just started his acting journey in August and he is already doing great. He has immediate plans to join an acting school in addition to his regular schooling, and he will keep working with his coach. His coach is Los Angeles based actor Jareb Dauplaise, who does online acting coaching.

Cheryl explained that being the parent of a child actor can be very unpredictable.

“It's a little bit of a roller- coaster and I can see it could become a big one,” she said. “You have to remember that it's all in your child and to not push it. When my eldest Ethan started to lose interest, I didn't want him to miss the opportunity, but you have to know when to let it go. It's not about what makes you happy, it's about what truly makes them happy, and for Alex it's acting.”

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, interviews for television acting jobs have switched to an online platform, with no plans for a switch back to in-person auditions. This opens up a much larger “pool” of potential actors for producers to choose from, since most productions are filmed in Toronto or Vancouver. Keep flying high, Alex!