Mayfield student off to Ohio on athletic scholarship

February 10, 2017 · 0 Comments

By Bill Rea
Jotam Chouhan is going away to school next year; to Ohio.
The Grade 12 student at Mayfield Secondary School has accepted an athletic scholarship to the University of Dayton, where she plans to study exercise science.
There was a brief ceremony at the school last week attended by Chouhan’s family and staff at the school.
“This is a very exciting day,” commented John Horton, head of physical education at Mayfield.
“We are immensely proud of your accomplishments at this school,” he told the Caledon resident.
Horton called her a phenomenal elite athlete, and “an amazing basketball player.”
He also commented on her accomplishments playing flag football, volleyball and soccer.
As well, Horton praised Chouhan’s academic success.
“You have the maturity . . . the work ethic that has held you in good stead in this school,” he remarked.
He also commented on Chouhan’s willingness to help out.
“You’ve always been willing to give back to your school,” he said, adding it speaks volumes to the commitment of her parents and family. “We’re going to miss you here, but we know you’re going to be amazingly successful.”
“Your character is exemplary,” Principal Jim Kardash told Chouhan, recalling that she helped coach a basketball team, providing both feedback and strategy. “You didn’t stop coaching. You didn’t stop encouraging.”
“You are a young lady well before your time,” he added. “This school has been the beneficiary of your character. Your character is among the best in the building.”
“We look forward to hearing great things about you,” he concluded.
Chouhan is going to Dayton on a soccer scholarship.
She said she had lots of options on where she could go, but mentioned her parents wanted her to stay reasonably close to home.
She added she visited the campus at Dayton, and almost made up her mind on the spot.
“I had a feeling in my gut,” she said.
She also knew something of the coaches there, and said they’re great.
“I’m really looking forward to going down there,” she said.
Chouhan, who just turned 18, said she’s been playing soccer since she was four.
“I love the sport and being able to continue to play is great,” she said.
And Dayton promises to be a great place to play.
“Every home game; it’s a big deal,” she said.

Jotam Chouhan was accompanied by her father Lucky, mother Jessie and grandmother Sukhminder Chouhan as she accepted the scholarship to Dayton University.
Photo by Bill Rea