St. Paul Regional High School celebrated its athletic achievements on June 6, handing out a long list of awards in honour of the hard work put in by student athletes.
After coaches went through each of the school's sports, handing out sport-specific awards, the night closed off with the naming of this year's male and female athletes of the year. This year's recipients were both multi-sport athletes and were chosen based on a number of criteria.
"Athlete of the Year award winners are calculated by a point system where a student accumulates point dependent on the number of sports that they enter and how they do in those team and individual sports," explained the school's athletic director Hank Smid. "So, each sport is given a value for what it is worth to play that sport, say Golf "2 points" and Basketball "5 points" because of the length of season."
Students and teams also get points if they advance to zones and provincials. And then they also get points for how well they do at district (SPAA), zone (NEASAA) and provincial (ASAA) competitions.
"We also factor into this formula the MVP Awards given out by their coaches," explains Smid. The process means that the winners are chosen more objectively. Also, if a student is failing courses at school, they will not be selected for the award.
This year's male and female athletes of the year were brother-sister duo Brandon and Taylor Fedoruk.
"It's quite an honour for me to receive this award, especially after all the rehab that I've had to go through to get back into the swing of things," said Taylor, after the event. "Athletics have been a huge part of my life ever since I was little, and I feel as though they always will be."
Taylor says her coaches have had a huge impact on her over the years, and without them, "I wouldn't be near the athlete I am today or the person that I've grown into." She also gave credit to her parents for being her biggest supporters and fans.
"They are big believers in multi-sport athletes, which is why they never have any time of their own, because they're always following us around wherever the sport that we are doing takes us. They tell us they wouldn't have it any other way."
Receiving the award alongside her older brother proves the Fedoruk family is in it together.
"Winning the award alongside my big brother is really special," says Taylor. "He's always pushing me and practicing with me since we were just learning to walk. I've always admired his determination and positive attitude on the court and also his ability to just let loose and have fun. We're very competitive with each other, so winning this together is a memory I'll never forget."
Brandon was equally honoured to receive the award. He says it was special considering some of the people who have received the award in years prior. He echoed his sister's sentiments about how athletics have been a part of his life since he was a young child, and how his parents encourage him to take part in any sport he wanted.
"Although I play sports for the enjoyment, they have shaped much of who I am today. From perseverance to leadership, sports are a great way to build character and have certainly helped me do so over the course of my life."
Brandon also offered thanks to his parents for their commitment, and his coaches for all the extra time and effort they put in behind the scenes. He notes that the best part of being involved in athletics is the bonds and relationships he has formed with teammates.
"I wouldn't give it up for anything."
Winning the award alongside his sister was a "pretty cool" moment for Brandon.
"To be able to accept the award together was pretty special."
Throughout the night, many thank-yous were given to the coaches, parents, and other volunteers and supporters that help the sports teams succeed. A recurring message that many coaches delivered was acknowledgement to those who drive the teams to tournaments and games.
Given the tragic accident that occurred in Saskatchewan in April, coaches made sure to thank the bus drivers who get students to and from events safely.
It was also noted that despite coming from a small town, athletes from Regional High School are certainly not out of place when competing against much larger communities.
"We are a 3A school, but we are about as small of a 3A school as you can get," said coach and teacher Mark Beaulieu.
Results from the awards nights include:
Golf
Most Valuable Player Female – Sophie Pasitney
Most Valuable Player Male – Justin Pasitney
Cross Country
Female Most Outstanding Performance – Hannah Faucher
Male Most Outstanding Performance – Dustin Dubrule
Football
Most Valuable Player – Parker Lumby
Rookie of the Year - Kyler Tichkowsky
Volleyball
Sr. Boys
Most Valuable Player – Justin Pasitney and Daniel Hebert
Rookie of the Year – Dustin Dubrule
Perseverance Award – Christian Laramee
Sr. Girls
Most Valuable Player – Tanielle Yacey and Mackenzie Trottier
Most Improved – Taylor Fedoruk
Rookie of the Year – Sarah Silva and Jorja Gates
Character Award – Skye-Lee Feland
Curling
Most Valuable Players: Kaylee Kotowich and Cody Doucet
MVP Mixed – Jayd Hernandez
Character Sportsmanship Award – Brooke Kotowich
Most Improved – Ehab Bajwa
Basketball
SPAA Boys
Most Valuable Player – Steven Singcol
Rookie of the Year – Dawson Lock
Most Improved Award – Daylin Jacobs
Sr. Boys
Most Valuable Player – Henri Laidley and Brandon Fedoruk
Rookie of the Year – Dustin Dubrule
Heart & Hustle Award – Parker Lumby
Sr. Girls
Most Valuable Player – Mel Boisclair
Heart & Leadership Award – Courtney Chopek
Most Improved – Brooklyn Riopel
Rookie of the Year – Jorja Gates
Badminton
Most Outstanding Performances – Brendan Levasseur, Isaac Porozni, Tanielle Yacey, Justin Pasitney
Track & Field
MVP Female Performance – Jessica Brousseau
MVP Male Performance – Daniel Hebert
Rookie of the Year Female – Taylor Fedoruk
Rookie of the Year Male – Dustin Dubrule
Leadership Award – Christian Laramee
Heart Award - Sydney Dubelt
