OACS News Service

SDCH teacher Joan Buma won the Join the Cheer contest, creating Hockey Canada’s new cheer. Pictured here, Buma is interviewed on her new cheer.
Smithville teacher wins national hockey cheer contest
Joan Buma says the support from SDCH’s staff and students was the best part
Monday January 18, 2010 -- Jennifer Higgs
Having followed world junior hockey for years Joan Buma never thought she’d attend a game, and has now returned from this year’s championships where the cheer she created was launched as the new Hockey Canada cheer.

Buma, Smithville District Christian High School (SDCH) Grade 9 and 10 science teacher, entered the Join the Cheer contest by Pepsi, Gatorade and Hockey Canada to create a national hockey cheer. From more than 1,000 entries Buma’s won with the cheer: Eh! O’ Canada Go!

A lifelong avid hockey fan, Buma entered the contest with little time to spare and with help from fellow teachers at the Christian high school to create and submit a video.

Three finalists were selected and people voted online for their favourite, with the winner announced Nov. 1, 2009.

Buma says she felt euphoria when she found out she won the contest, and also a sense of responsibility.

“I never, ever entered this contest to win, I entered it to have a great time with staff and students,” says Buma.

“The best part was having the staff and students support the whole process from beginning to end.”

The prize included a trip to Prince Edward Island to reveal the cheer at the World Junior A Challenge; attending the 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship, where Canada lost the gold medal to the U.S. in overtime Jan. 5; and a trip to the men’s hockey 2010 World Championship in Germany in May.

“It was really exciting to be there,” says Buma of the world junior championship, adding the gold medal could have “gone either way.”

Buma says a highlight from Saskatoon was when a group of people sitting around her found out she had created the cheer and decided to start it 20 seconds before the next period started.

“In the next section a little boy, might be nine or 10 years old, stood up and he started doing the cheer and dancing with it and he and I made eye contact and we did the cheer back and forth to each and I thought that’s what it’s all about, the old and the young just having a good time connecting and cheering on the players,” she says.

“It’s been a great ride.”

Related Story:
Smithville teacher’s cheer selected as finalist for national hockey team contest

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