Athletes and academics honoured at RRHS achievement banquet

Ken Johnston

It was a gala night filled with many traditional awards and a few surprises.
The Rainy River High School (RRHS) Academic and Co-curricular Recognition banquet was held last Wednesday at the Rainy River Legion.
The biggest surprise of the evening was the last award given out. The Michael Smith award was presented to Corrissa Hanson for demonstrating a dedication to athletics, academics and community involvement.
This was the first time any student from RRHS had been nominated. RRHS Athletic Director Guy Arpin started the presentation off by noting how great an honour just being nominated is. He lead on that that was all that had happened and that Hanson should feel humbled to be considered for it.
Then a choked up Arpin announced that she had won!
Arpin who has sat on the selection committee noted that four were nominated from all of NORWOSSA this year and all were highly dynamic candidates. “All must have academic averages of 95 or better and demonstrate a love for teamwork like Michael Smith did.”
Arpin who played against Smith in the early 1980s in high school said this award is truly an honour. Smith, a native of Kenora was a three time Canadian Olympic Team member as a decathelete.
Arpin said Hanson is, “An amazing young woman. I coached her for two years and she is going to go places.”
Three other out of the ordinary presentations were made at the beginning of the evening.
Nicole Seguin received the White Pine Award, presented by RRHS Librarian Rebecca Tolen. Several RRHS students participated in the Ontario Library Associations White Pine Reading Program this year. It involves the OLA choosing 10 books written by Canadians then voted on. Seguin read all 10 of them and the book she voted for came in second. For that she received a special recognition for her dedication to the program.
Say the word “Chess” and it is likely that the name Marty Johnston comes to mind. Over his school career in Rainy River, this RRHS senior has competed right from the grass roots to several appearances and excellent finishes at the national chess competitions. For his efforts RRHS principal Bob McGreevy presented Johnston with a plaque highlighting many of his accomplishments and a plaque that will hang forever on the wall at RRHS.
Under “Volunteer” in the dictionary one might find the names Mike and Joanne Neilson. Principal Bob McGreevy noted that they as parents have served on RRHS parent council for six years and given countless hours to the school and all its many activities. They received a plaque for their efforts.
Other Awards
Student Leadership Award
Jay Neilson
Sports
Jr. Girls Basketball
Most Valuable Player (MVP): Molly Bartlett and Kristin Moen
Most Improved Player (MIP):Seneca Brown
Most Sporting Player (MSP): Brittany Pearson and Adrienne McLean
Top Rookie (TR): Kate Bartlett
Sr. Girls Basketball
MVP: Shauna Lundgren
MIP: Ashley Sharp
MSP: Carling Nordin
TR: Morgan McNally
Jr. Boys Volleyball
MVP: Dan Usiski, Jr.
MIP: Jared McQuaker
MSP: Josh Wilson
TR: Regan Arnould and Jaden Chorney
Sr. Boys Volleyball
MVP: Joel Ashworth
MIP: Kam Kuzyk
MSP: Matt Morrison
Jr. Girls Volleyball
MVP: Alyshia Langlais
MIP: Alicia Desserre
MSP: Molly Bartlett
TR: Christa Big George
Sr. Girls Volleyball
MVP: Corrissa Hanson
MIP: Chantel Heyens
MSP: Carling Nordin
Jr. Boys Basketball
MVP: Nick Ashworth
MIP: Timo Brielman
MSP: Regan Arnould
TR: Josh Anderson
Sr. Boys Basketball
MIP: Duffy Gulbranden
MSP: Lloyd Mason
Curling
MVP: Matt McQuaker
MIP: Mitch Seguin
MSP: Dayna Seguin
TR: Jared McQuaker
Jr. Badminton
MVP: Molly Bartlett, Kristin Moen, Nick Ashworth and Dan Usiski, Jr.
MIP: Alyshia Langlais and Meaghan Jasper
MSP: Jordan Hansen
TR: Kate Bartlett
Sr. Badminton
MVP: Chantel Heyens, Hillary Hansen and Joel Ashworth
MIP: Matt Morrison
MSP: Carling Nordin
Boys Soccer
MVP: Joel Ashworth
MIP: David Nussbaumer
MSP: Chris Jodoin
TR: Josh Wilson
Girls Soccer
MVP: Alyshia Langlais
MIP: Morgan Ikert
MSP: Heidi Friesen
TR: Nicole Dorie
Athletes of the Year
Jr. Girl: Kristin Moen
Jr. Boy: Dan Usiski, Jr.
Sr. Girl: Carling Nordin
Sr. Boy: Joel Ashworth
Gold Jacket
Coach Don Gall presented Joel Ashworth with the prestigious Gold Jacket award. The award, which is not given out every year, goes to a student who shows exceptional dedication to his or her sport for at least two consecutive years. Ashworth for the past four years has played every sport except curling. “He is one of, if not the, top athlete at Rainy River High School,” said Coach Gall. “He has tremendous ability, sportsmanship and even the respect of other league teams.”
Academic Awards
Honour Roll One Term
Brenley Anderson, Josh Anderson, Seneca Brown, Brandon Gough, Haley Gulbrandsen, Jordan Gustafson, Chris Jodoin, Alyshia Langlais, Shauna Lundgren, Lloyd Mason, Jen McCormick, Carling Nordin, Dayna Seguin, Ashley Sharp, Matt Sawatzky, Byron Sharp and Kristie Tesarsky.
Honour Roll Two Terms
Nick Ashworth, Kate Bartlett, Kelly Brown, Kristina Burner, Ursula Chojko-Bolec, Mark Clifford, Alicia Desserre, Nicole Dorie, Duffy Gulbrandsen, Hillary Hansen, Jordan Jenson, Marty Johnston, Adrienne McLean, Mark Singleton and Josh Tesarsky.
Honour Roll Three Terms
Regan Arnould, Timo Brielman, Nadine Burner, Jaden Chorney, Jordan Hansen, Corrissa Hanson, Brittany Jasper, Tanya Jordain, Natasha King, Kam Kuzyk, Kaylie Lundgren, Morgan McNally, Jared McQuaker, Matt McQuaker, Andy Moen, Kristin Moen, Tyrell Mowe, Jay Neilson, Nicole Seguin, Ethan Swentik and Josh Wilson.