December 6, 2022

Saskatchewan Roughrider Foundation Helps Dual-School Standout Excel

Rashawn Taniskishayinew, a student at Scott Collegiate, sets a shining example for his friends, teammates, and community through his commitment to school and sport as a member of both the Scott Collegiate student body, and as the quarterback of the Thom Trojans football team. The A-student excels in the classroom, as well as on the field— but his standout performance in either arena comes with their share of uphill climbs.

Taniskishayinew has faced adversity in mental health and lifestyle struggles, telling the Leader-Post’s Rob Vanstone “(Last year) I had no motivation playing football— I was living an unhealthy life. My diet was bad and my mental health was bad.” On top of that, there’s the literal uphill battle faced by Rashawn and two of his Thom teammates, as they make the two-and-a-half-kilometer trek from Scott to the home of the Trojans for regular practices.

He went on to tell Vanstone “I decided that I was going to train myself mentally and physically, and now I feel happy with myself. Even when we take these tough losses every single week, I find myself smiling because I see so much improvement in myself and I see so much improvement in my teammates.

“I just can’t do anything but smile.”

Recently, the Saskatchewan Roughrider Foundation connected with the young pivot to recognize his work ethic and offer some words of support and encouragement courtesy the Green & White’s own Mason Fine, who brought with him the wisdom of having walked in Taniskishayinew’s shoes. Mason also presented the three dual-school student athletes with bus passes, provided by the Roughrider Foundation, to help get them to practice in a more relaxed fashion.

It is because of the support of fans and benefactors like you, that initiatives such as this are possible in the first place. Your donations to the Foundation help to fund their pillars of education, health, and amateur football. As you hear Rashawn’s unique story, remember that there are many with dreams just like him, right here in our community— and you can make a true and lasting difference in their lives, right now.

Donate by visiting The Saskatchewan Roughrider Foundation