Scrambled eggs, bagels and most importantly a whole lot of fun were on the menu when the StFX X-Women hosted the Breakfast of Champions recently at the Keating Centre.

Members of the varsity hockey team joined more than 100 girls from Grades 3-6 for a jam-packed morning of activities, which included a healthy morning meal.
 
“Breakfast is the most important meal of the day,” X-Women forward Kristen Ezard reminded as she dined with eight of her new friends.

A team member joined each table not only for the meal, but also a variety of fun-filled activities.

Led by nutritionist, educator and X-Women coach Dave Synishin’s wife, Suzi, each girl received a booklet, which was fittingly bound by a skate lace. Each page included a picture of an X-Women player, along with an inspirational quote. The player also named and described a healthy snack or breakfast she enjoys.

On the blank cover page, the young girls drew a self-portrait, and listed three positive things about themselves. Like the X-Women, the girls also put a fun name on a favourite snack or breakfast food.

“It’s been a great time,” Rev. H.J. MacDonald student Holly Henley said as she decorated her booklet cover.

Along with their memory books, which also included space for autographs, the girls received a package of nutrition and healthy living information to take home to their families.

X-Women alumni and education program students Amanda MacIsaac, Sheila Kelly and Katie Barrett delivered a message about the positives of physical activities and playing sports.
 
“It is a great opportunity to meet a lot of great people and make some awesome friends,” Kelly offered.

Barrett added that was one of the goals of the Breakfast of Champions – making new friends.

The trio led an activity in which the girls and players at each table passed around a skate lace. When they made the transition, they had to tell everyone something they learned or enjoyed about the event.
 
Each girl received a skate lace emblazoned with “BOC,” which represented “breakfast of champions.”
 
With their keepsakes, the girls made their way to the X-Women locker room. Lined with the familiar blue-and-white jerseys hanging in the players’ stalls, the players provided the girls with a personal look at the place they prepare for their games.
 
“It’s awesome,” Kathryn Brouwer said as she stood by the jersey of Antigonish native Catie Gavin. 
 
The positive messages of the day were reiterated in a MuchMusic movie screened for the girls in the Oland Centre gymnasium.
 
“It’s been a lot of fun,” Hanna MacKenzie of Rev. H.J. MacDonald Elementary in Heatherton said as she finished a spin on one of the stationary bicycles in the X-Women locker room.
 
Hanna and the other young guests enjoyed another ride when they returned to their schools for afternoon classes on the St. F.X. bus.
 
“It was a tremendous success. Everyone involved, including the X-Women, enjoyed the entire experience. We are extremely happy with the results,” StFX marketing and community relations coordinator Jerrett DeFazio, one of the event organizers, said.

Story courtesy Corey LeBlanc, The Casket