It makes sense that Jade Scognamillo is the new Volunteer Coordinator/Administrator with the North Bay Heritage Gardeners.
After all, the gardens are next to a large lake, and Scognamillo knows all about that.
In 2009 she set a record as the youngest person to swim across Lake Ontario at the age of 15. In 2008 she became the youngest and fastest swimmer to cross Lake Erie. She is also a competitive swim coach.
Scognamillo told BayToday she feels her involvement with the gardeners was "meant to be."
She originally applied to the Conservation Authority and wasn't successful but someone there put her on the to Heritage Gardeners job.
"I had a look at it and it was perfect...the gardening aspect, the communication aspect and the location is amazing as well. I studied geography and environmental studies in school with a minor in communications so this job checked all my boxes."
She was living in Kitchener, so in three weeks she had lots on her mind...renting an apartment, leasing a car and moving to North Bay.
Scognamillo has been on the job now for two weeks, replacing Monica McLaren who will be moving to southern Ontario to join her husband who has accepted a position there. McLaren served as a part-time coordinator for 10 years. That position has now been made full-time with the arrival of Scognamillo and will be focused on volunteer recruitment and retention as well as the general administration of all Heritage Gardeners business.
In addition to her swimming accomplishments, Scognamillo is also a Queen Elizabeth ll Jubilee Medal recipient, a commemorative medal to honour significant contributions and achievements by Canadians.
When asked if she had plans to swim across Lake Nipissing she laughed.
"I was wondering who was going to make that joke first," she responded. "No, I don't have a plan yet to be honest. I think I might be interested in Trout Lake. You're the first person to ask. It's in the back of my mind that it would be a very cool fundraiser."
The Heritage Gardeners are celebrating their 20th anniversary this year.