2018 Peter Sugarfoot Cunningham Award Winner – Ayanna Roy

As a young Black figure skater, Ayanna has represented Edmonton at many skating events. She has also coached younger figure skaters in developing the necessary skills. There are only a few professional black figure skaters in the world and Ayanna has been involved in skating, promoting skating, and attending many professional skating events which include:

In 2017, she attended Skate Canada International in Regina. Saskatchewan. There she met Kaetlyn Osmond who recently won a gold medal (team event) and bronze medal at the 2018 Olympics in South Korea.

ln 2016, Ayanna attended the World Championships in Boston, Mass. (USA). She had a meeting with Elizabet Tur-syn-ba-eva, a skater coached by Olympic Medalist Brian Orser. Elizabeth shared much encouragement and skating techniques with Ayanna.

In 2014, Ayanna attended Skate Canada International in Kelowna, British Columbia. She met Vanessa James, a Black skater originally from Toronto, who now skates for France. Vanessa wanted to make sure that Ayanna was in her photo. It is so rare to see Black skating fans at these events and it was obvious how happy Vanessa felt.

Ayanna is a very positive, personable, articulate and encouraging young lady who has demonstrated excellent commitment to athletics through figure skating and other community events. She has high values, great pride and is always willing to help others. Ayanna is supported by her parents Debbie and Myron.