Erica Hamilton
Erica received her degree in Exercise Science (Kinesiology) from UBC after attending high school in Northern Ontario. She is continuing her studies at Malaspina University in teacher’s training. Her busy schedule as Assistant House Director of Kaye’s, Jr. Girls’ rowing coach, and her duties in the Learning Centre, make the trips to University three times a week a real challenge!
Erica found herself at Shawnigan long before she began to work here. She landed on campus as part of the training program for the UBC Rowing team. “I fell in love with the Lake and with the campus. I was overwhelmed by the facilities this high school had. At UBC (considered second best rowing programme in the country), we had to row out of a parking lot on False Creek! Shawnigan was beautiful and a fantastic place to row and to train.”
When Erica discovered that Shawnigan needed a rowing coach she applied, was hired and began to live the Shawnigan life. She did duty in Lake’s House at first and was offered the position of Assistant in Kaye’s this September. “I came to the School with no boarding experience, and I have discovered that a girls’ House is very different from a boys’. I love getting to know the girls really well and, as busy as it is in the House, the girls energize me! They are so enthusiastic and have been so welcoming. I am amazed at how, as young as they are, the girls have learned to live together so successfully. I am continually surprised at how they get along and find their way through social problems and by how much they support one another. I think that the rules and boundaries we have in place set limits for the girls and they know that the structure is there to support them.”
When asked what her favourite House activity is so far, Erica replies, “I love preparing for Inter-House challenges because it really expresses the passion the girls feel for their House and how they work as a team—everyone has a role to play.”
Erica has two important mentors at Shawnigan—one is Erica Dalrymple, House Director of Kaye’s. “I have so much to learn from her. She knows the tone of the House so well and knows what’s going on at all times; she knows how to read the girls.” Another mentor is Jo-Anne Kingstone, Deputy Head. “Jo-Anne is so hard working and never lets go of a job until she is sure it is being done successfully. She has vision and she listens very well and is good at helping me to understand my role here. She guides me to new challenges.”
Erica lives in Kaye’s House with her husband, Kyle who is a rower as well. In fact, Kyle is a member of the Heavy Men’s National Team and is WorldRowing.com’s Athlete of the month for October: http://www.worldrowing.com/index.php?pageid=134 Married in 2005, Erica and Kyle enjoy spending time with their Bernese Mountain Dog, Gretta, hiking and exploring. Erica loves travel, good food, and every outdoor sport possible!