LENNOXVILLE, Que. – Samantha Juraschka, a fourth-year midfielder with the Bishop’s Gaiters women's soccer team, has been named as one of three finalists for the Gildan Prize for Leadership, as announced by the Quebec Foundation for Athletic Excellence today. The Prize is awarded to a student-athlete, across all university sports throughout Quebec, who has distinguished him or herself through community service and displayed a leadership role within their team. Each finalist will receive a bursary of $1,750, with the winner receiving an additional $250.

Jurashcka, who hails from Waterdown, Ont., founded the Gaiter Walk for ALS in 2009, and was the chief organizer of the event in 2010 and 2011. After a modest start in 2009, the Walk has raised nearly $10,000 for the ALS Quebec Tony Proudfoot Fund. She is a two-time Quebec nominee for the CIS Student-Athlete Community Service Award in women's soccer.

The Finance and Marketing major is a three-time Academic All-Canadian, with an 83% overall average. She is a member of the SEED Investment Portfolio program in the Williams School of Business, and President of the Bishop's Student Alumni Association.

Juraschka started 14 games this year, and was a key component of the Gaiters' front line.

The other finalists are Vincent Cournoyer, a men's soccer player from Laval, and Guillaume Saliah, a football player with the Montreal Carabins. The winner will be announced on November 30 at the Foundation's annual gala in Montreal. More information on the Foundation is available on its website at www.faeq.com.