Jessica Sevick, a former student of Ecole Brentwood Elementary School, brightened the day of students at the school when the Olympic rower came for a visit last week.

Teacher Lynn Anderson, who taught Sevick when she was a student at Brentwood School, explained how the visit went.

Anderson said, “It was incredibly special, but it was more than an Olympian from the area. She is a Brentwood kid and I taught her in Grade four.”

Leah Cyr, a student at the school spoke about the experience of meeting Sevick, a hometown hero.

“It was pretty cool because she grew up in Strathmore and she came to Brentwood, and in our school too. It was really nice to see her and to know that she was in our school." Cyr said she was happy to see Sevick who is a good example for the students and a role modal.

Anderson explained at the beginning of the school year she presented the idea of contacting Sevick and setting up an event for students to meet her.

She asked the staff at the school if it was something they wanted to pursue.

“Everybody said ‘oh absolutely!’

The school held an assembly outdoors following COVID-19 regulations.

“They (students) just listened, and Jessica told her story, all the way from her big accident and when she was in Grade seven through to actually sitting in that boat rowing,” said Anderson.

Sevick spoke about the importance of wearing a helmet, and about her challenges up until her debut at the Olympics.

After the assembly, Anderson says she spoke to students trying to find out what they’d learned from the Sevick.

“They were all like, ‘keep following your dreams, never give up, and don't quit,’” she said.

Anderson says it’s likely the school will be framing a photo of Sevick to be permanently displayed.

“It was just very special because the kids to them she's famous, but she’s also from Brentwood. She was a Badger and so it wasn't just somebody coming to school, but it was a Brentwood kid coming to school.”