G.P. Vanier honoured their student-athletes June 10 in an evening of entertainment, numerous awards, a few speeches, and an excellent dinner (provided by Plates Catering). Over 280 athletes and guests attended the annual athletic banquet in the Vanier gym, and the evening was a successful one to be sure, said Vanier Athletic Director Larry Street.
The agenda included a well-played rendition of O Canada by two talented Vanier guitarists, then all the Grade 8 and 9 athletes received Merit Certificates for participating on our school athletic teams this past year.
After dinner, the national runner-up improv drama team entertained everyone with a series of witty and robust skits, a celebration for all of their teamwork and a fine display by a talented group of students.
Guest speakers included this year's inductee into the Athletic Wall of Fame Ron Webber, an educator at Vanier from 1970 to 1988 and proud supporter of many activities involving athletics with the Towhees. He was also a popular Mayor for our City of Courtenay, and a promoter to the world of the great stuff that happens in our Valley, Street noted.
As well, our current Mayor Mr. Larry Jangula said a few words on behalf of the City, noting his history with our school athletics through the adventures of his own children when they attended and competed for the Towhees.
He also congratulated all the current Towhees on their successes for the year, in particular our three-time Island champion senior girls volleyball, our second-place snowboard team and certainly our first team sport Provincial champion the girls rugby team, who will have a banner put on the wall in perpetuity.
The school Athletic Department awarded prestigious Bronze, Silver and Gold Block Awards to 39 girls and 34 boys. This year's Grade 12 recipients were Danelle Campbell, Carly Gunter, Trevor Caton, Blake Stotzer, Alex Kussauer and Foster Dewitt. All six of these talented athletes were very important members of numerous teams over their four to five years at Vanier, Street said.
The Major Athletic Awards are always the last to be given out, and following is a list of all the winners of each major award:
Most Improved Junior Athletes: Male - Chase Hobenshield; Female - Sienna Barth.
Most Improved Senior Athletes: Male - Jakob Jungwirth; Females - Scout Frewer and Tayler Redman.
Outstanding Leadership in Athletics: Foster Dewitt.
Most Inspirational Junior Athletes: Male - Tyler Knopp; Female - Hope Lewis.
Most Inspirational Senior Athletes: Male - Joss Biggins; Female - Danelle Campbell.
Athlete of the Year: Grade 8 Male - Ray Fukui; Female - Kenedy Olsen. Grade 9 Male - Leif Wagner; Female - Sophie Murray. Grade 10 Male - Chas Hobenshield; Female - Dawson German. Senior Male - Trevor Caton; Female - Megan Ireland.
Joan Longtin Award (top female Grade 11 on a senior team): Madi Gold.
Howie Ellis Award (top male Grade 11 on a senior team): Braydon Brouwer.
Norm Hill Award ("Blood and Guts Award"): Male - Bryce Olsen; Female - Georgia Bellamy.
All Around Athlete of the Year: Grade 8 Male - Andre Sutter; Female - Sonja Jungwirth. Grade 9 Male - Rheyden Le; Female - Molly Mifsud. Grade 10 Male - Austin Pigeon; Female - Olivia Kellinghusen. Senior Male - Foster Dewitt; Female - Carly Gunter.
"Congratulations to all the Towhees and good luck for next year!" Street said.
– Vanier Athletics