School cheers on Olympian alumnus

(Update)

Canada’s women’s hockey team has improved to 2-0 after beating Finland 3-0. And students and staff at Hamilton’s Bishop Tonnos High School have been following the team very carefully. They have a very close connection to the team.

Hockey is a source of national pride to Canadians. But it’s also a matter of school pride for students at Bishop Tonnos. That’s because team Canada member Laura Fortino is a former alumnus. And students and staff there are proudly cheering her on.

It was a sea of red and white in the Bishop Tonnos gym, where staff and students gathered to celebrate and watch Canada’s women’s hockey team Monday.

Adrianne Disimoni is Laura Fortino’s cousin: “Well, our whole school came together to support Canada and our B-T alumni Laura and we are just here to support Team Canada and it’s obviously a very exciting time and we are very proud for her.”

The assembly included motivational messages from Fortino’s former high school teachers and coaches — and a videotaped message from Laura herself.

The 23-year old is no stranger to playing in the big leagues. Her success on the ice began early in life.

Steve Maga is the Bishop Tonnos Phys-Ed Teacher: Well, there was always early signs you know that right from the beginning she played on the boys team and from there early on she played on the under 18 national team and while she was here at the school she was always on the provincial team and the national junior team. So right away, we knew that the development program that the Canadian Hockey Association has was surely hot on her tails. They knew that she was going to be great and she’s turned out to be just that.”

Her family was at Monday’s celebrations and couldn’t be more proud of her accomplishments.

Raymond Fortino is Laura’s Brother: “It’s very special for our family you know leading up to it but when we got the call that she had made it we were so excited that she made the team.”

After Monday’s celebrations, Fortino sent her former high school a personal video message, thanking them for their support: “I am so thrilled and honored to know that I have the support of the Bishop Tonnos community on my Olympic journey, and I can’t thank you all enough for everything you’ve done for me both as a player and as a person. I am aware that all of you have gathered today to watch my game against Finland, and I’m so excited to know you’re cheering loud for Canada as we continue on this journey to bring back gold.”

Canada’s women’s hockey team is back on the ice Wednesday morning, when they take on the U.S. and you can bet everyone at Bishop Tonnos will be cheering them on.