A 14-year-old Kelly Road Secondary student has been selected as the community torchbearer for Prince George for the Olympic torch relay on January 29.

Alix Wells is a competitive alpine skier who has had a number of successful seasons.

“I’m thrilled to be selected as a torchbearer for Prince George as part of the 2010 Olympics and hope that in the future I can compete for Canada at the Olympics,” said Alix Wells in a press release.

Last year, she competed at National K2 championships (age 13-14 years old) where she finished as the top 13-year-old competitor in Canada and was selected for the national team. She is also a talented soccer player, and in addition to the hard work that goes into her training, she maintains an A average at school.

She is currently in Grade 9 at Kelly Road Secondary.

Alix is frequently away for training and competitions and yet she still returns after each trip with her work completed to a very high standard.

She willingly puts in the out-of-class time to make up lessons, science labs, etc.

As an elite athlete she excels in physical education and consistently uses her skills to encourage others rather than simply do her own thing. She has been patient with special needs students and others who find fitting in awkward. She is almost always one of the first students to volunteer to help out when it is needed.

“Alix is a remarkable young athlete who personifies what the Olympic spirit is all about,” said Shari Green, co-chair of the city’s torch celebrations task force, in a press release. “She is absolutely dedicated to her sport and the torch celebration committee felt she was an outstanding choice to represent Prince George for her sportsmanship, passion and work ethic.”

Alix will be front-and-centre on January 29, 2010 when the Olympic torch relay comes to Prince George. As the community torchbearer, Alix will have the honour of being the final torchbearer in Prince George and will light the cauldron on stage at the community celebration that evening at Exhibition Park.

“We are very excited to have Alix join us for this very special celebration,” said Dave Wilbur, co-chair of the task force. “It’s going to be a great day, and we hope everyone will come out and cheer Alix on as she brings in the Olympic flame and lights the cauldron in Prince George.”

The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay began on October 30 in Victoria. The Olympic flame is travelling by land, air and water during its 106-day journey as 12,000 torchbearers will be carrying the torch in more than 1,000 communities across Canada.

The relay ends on February 12, 2010 when it lights the Olympic cauldron, signaling the start of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. It comes through Prince George on January 29 where a community celebration is planned at Exhibition Park from 6-8 p.m.

She was named torchbearer at a ceremony at her school yesterday morning.