For Andrea Raab, the countdown is on.
The 17-year-old is in the final stages of training as she prepares to represent Canada at the World Taekwon-do Championship in Croatia this October—a dream she’s been chasing for as long as she can remember.
“It’s going well. I’m trying to balance rest days with the training I need, and it can be a struggle sometimes,” says Raab. “But I’ve got to keep pushing through—it’s coming up soon, and I’m really looking forward to it.”
Her official Team Canada training camp was held July 11–12 in Prince George, B.C., at Cedars Christian School, followed by additional August sessions with Kodiak Taekwon-do in Edmonton and Horizon Taekwon-do in Airdrie.
Raab, a recent graduate of St. Timothy High School, has already had a whirlwind year. She competed at nationals in Quebec, celebrated her graduation, painted an award-winning watercolour, was selected to attend Camp Courage, spoke and participated at last weekend's Terry Fox Run/Walk, and is now preparing for the biggest stage of her athletic career.
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Alongside the training, she has been working hard to raise funds for the self-financed trip. With the support of the community and businesses like Save-On-Foods, where she held fundraisers in August and September, Raab has been able to cover part of the cost.
“I’m so thankful to Ernie, the manager at Save-On, for letting me set up, and to the community for supporting me,” she says. “I’m still open to donations, but right now my focus is more on training and being ready for Croatia.”
Supporters can contribute through e-transfer to raabmech@telus.net, or contact her directly at 587-583-3221 for details.
Turning 18 just days before she leaves, Raab says this moment feels like the culmination of years of dedication.
“It’s really the fulfillment of a lifetime dream.”
Calgary Stampede art award
Raab won the junior painting category of the Calgary Stampede Arts and Crafts Competition this summer.
Her watercolour piece "Through a Child's Eye" captures her nostalgia for visiting the Calgary Stampede and is set in Cochrane. She originally submitted it for the Cochrane Lions Club's Rodeo Poster Contest, where she placed second.
She painted a horse with Cochrane’s historic Rockyview Hotel in the background, and framed the bottom of the piece with wild roses, a cowboy hat and boots, and mountains to represent Alberta and its heritage.
