June is a time to celebrate a new season, the end of a school year and the accomplishments of staff and students.
Maidstone High School held their end of year honour assembly and activity and academic awards Wednesday. During the morning coaches and advisors acknowledged the successes and contributions of students involved in various sports and extra-curricular activities.
Pride was evident as adult mentors discussed the leadership and skills of the students involved in everything from servery help to the book club and all of the sporting events in the second half of the school year. MVP awards were presented in some of the sports and Division III and IV top athlete awards were given out.
The MHS Rock Band played a few songs and was presented with a $1,000 cheque by the Synergy Credit Union to support the program.
Coach Dave Speirs gave a heartfelt speech, as he described the already short track and field season effected by the lost days as a season of "what ifs" for students who had real potential to shine at provincials.
The Saskatchewan High School Athletic Association award for the outstanding male coach in the North West School Division was presented to Ray Bodnarek who has spent 12 years in Maidstone learning and coaching basketball evolving with the times moving from blackboard to whiteboard to Smartboard. He has worked hard to be coach and he has helped grow a strong basketball program in the school.
After a barbecue lunch shared by parents, guests, students and staff it was time to return to the gym for the academic and activity awards. A new tiered system for the general proficiency awards meant more of the students were recognized for their high marks and involvement in school activities.
High academic achievement and general proficiency awards were presented in each grade with special awards being given out to those completing Division III and IV.
The Grade 9 students moving out of junior high school and into senior high school stand out as a group of high achievers. In a class of 29 students, nine had averages over 90 per cent with another eight also having honour roll status with averages over 80. Ten of the Grade 9 students were presented with general proficiency plaques by the RCMP and many earned academic and activity plaques for maintaining their averages and involvement through all three years of junior high.
The event celebrated an abundance of talent and hard work and involved every student in the school. Each student received a certificate with stickers indicating their achievements and a PowerPoint presentation featuring photos of each student reinforced the idea that every student in the school belongs and there is much to celebrate.
