Here in Ponoka, the high school works hard to create the fiercest competitors and supports student’s academics. They encourage both attributes in their students, as well as the humility it takes to further expand their potential.
Jerel Peters, area director for Youth Unlimited, opened his short speech at the Ponoka Composite High School’s (PCHS) athletic awards night with, “real winners have learned to do their best and never quit.”
Real winners also recognize the support around them from coaches, parents and peers, and don’t hold back respect and appreciation for their hard work.
Students from different team bestowed upon their coaches and others tied to the teams with thank s as well as memories of the past season.
During a cross-country race the team woke up to -7 degrees c weather and falling snow.
“We discovered there’s no such thing as bad weather, only soft people,” said runner Sarah Green. PCHS athletes have to remain in good academic standing. For some, classes can be a storm and like the racers they have to survive it.
Physical education teacher Scott MacGregor says the school personalizes the definition of good standing for each student. “If a 90 per cent student falls to an eight per cent you know you need to have a talk.”
Two awards were given to athletes in each grade. The Athlete of the Year Award is determined purely on athletic performance and the Bronc of the Year Award is determined according to the student’s spirit and participation. Recipients:
Grade 9
Female Athlete of the Year: Delaney Brachmann
Male Athlete of the Year: Ashton Soosay
Female Bronc of the Year: Lisa van der Westhuizen
Male Bronc of the Year: Darcy Hooger
Grade 10
Female Athlete of the Year: Cassius Louis
Male Athlete of the Year: Cole Nelson
Female Bronc of the Year: Daria and Shaye Leidenuis
Male Bronc of the Year: Keenan Haines
Grade 11
Female Athlete of the Year: Maddison Pearman
Male Athlete of the Year: Jared Nicolls
Female Bronc of the Year: Sarah Green
Male Bronc of the Year: Davis Labrie
Grade 12
Female Athlete of the Year: Kelsey Rabb
Male Athlete of the Year: Kenton Rodney
Female Bronc of the Year: Amy Lank
Male Bronc of the Year: Nick Grant
PSC also uses a points system, which are awarded by the student’s teacher, to track the correlation between academics and athletic extracurriculars.
MacGregor feels coaches are another teacher for the students and help build character, which translates to their studies.
Recipients:
PA 30
Paige Bonnett
Kendra Ems
Brianna Green
Daria Leidenus
Shaye Leidenus
Maddison Pearman
Stephanie Rowland
Lauren Sieben
Nick Grant
Keenan Haines
Carson Louis
Chadler McLaren
Cole Nelson
Austin Nagribianko
Logan Squires
Doug Wilton
PA2 60
Cassidy Corkney
Kendra Joyes
Karlee Sieweke
Morgan Wiese
Ethan Cire
Davis Labrie
Jared Nicholls
Josh Prediger
Brandt Siebel
PA3 90
Jared Nicholls
Kenton Rodney
PA4 120
Amy Lank