Lethbridge curler helps out with calendar fundraiser
Lethbridge resident Casey Scheidegger is a part of the 2019 Women of Curling fundraising calendar.
“I was really nervous at first, but I am really honored to be asked,” Scheidegger said. “As a teacher, I wanted my picture to be conservative, but also show a sense of Alberta pride. I am a proud Albertan and I love my home. I am really happy with the picture produced and I believe that the calendar showcases many of our strong female athletes.”
Scheidegger, age 30, is a full-time teacher for Palliser Regional Schools, where she teaches grade 7 math and Physical Education. On top of being a teacher, she also has a son who is 2.5 years old.
“I love being a mom and family is very important to me,” Scheidegger said.
Scheidegger started competitive curling when she was 11 and started out playing front end until she was 15 and began skipping.
“My dad is an avid curler and his passion for the game was passed on to my sister and I,” Scheidegger said.
Scheidegger has been involved in competitive curling for 18 years and her career includes competing at the 2009 Canadian Juniors representing Alberta, where she finished third. Since 2011, Scheidegger has also appeared in eight consecutive Alberta women's provincial championships and claimed the Alberta Women’s Title for 2018.
Also appearing in the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, Scheidegger finished with a 7-4 win/loss record and also led her team at the 2017 Canadian Olympic Trials. Her squad has also made the playoff round at numerous Grand Slam events and they won their first Slam in 2017, the Canadian Open in North Battleford, Saskatchewan.
“When it comes to curling, I like the strategy and the pressure,” Scheidegger said. “I like working with my team to accomplish a goal. It's a fun game and has been a huge part of my life for a long time.”
George Karrys, Publisher of the Curling News, was the one to approach Scheidegger about appearing in the 2019 Women of Curling calendar alongside Shannon Birchard of Winnipeg, who is fundraising for KidSport Manitoba; Kate Cameron of Winnipeg, who is fundraising for Northern Manitoba Paws In Need; Laura Walker of Edmonton, who is fundraising for the Sandra Schmirler Foundation; Satsuki Fujisawa of Japan, who is fundraising for the Japanese Organization for International Cooperation in Family Planning (JOICFP); Lauren Gray of Scotland, who is fundraising for the Association for Mental Health; Kendra Lilly of Sudbury/Thunder Bay, who is fundraising for the Alzheimer Society of SudburyManitoulin North Bay & Districts; Jo-Ann Rizzo of Brantford Ontario, who is fundraising for the Brant County SPCA; Nina Roth of the USA, who is fundraising for the Wisconsin Women’s Health Foundation; Kristen Streifel of Saskatoon, who is fundraising for the Curling Canada Foundation; Team Tirinzoni of Switzerland, who is fundraising for the Rolling Thunder powerchair hockey team; and Tess Bobbie of Toronto who is fundraising for Special Olympics Ontario.
The cause that Scheidegger chose to raise money for through her participation in the calendar was the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation.
“As a mom, I really wanted to choose a charity that benefited children,” Scheidegger said. “I also wanted to select a charity where the funds were allocated to families/children in Alberta. The Alberta Children's Hospital does great work, so it was an easy choice.”