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Deserving students receive major and subject awards

Chemainus Secondary honours the school’s best in many different capacities
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Brooklyn Stobbe is the recipient of the Stan Piper Service Award. (Photo by Greg Wall)

Chemainus Secondary School students received acknowledgement for a job well done during the 2020-21 crazy COVID school year with the presentation of major and subject awards.

Hanna Starkie was the winner of the Phillips-Lloyd trophy for citizenship. It’s awarded to the student who sets a good example of outstanding school citizenship for others, represents the school in an outstanding manner, is helpful and unselfish and frequently volunteers time for the benefit of others in the school community, has an interest for the well-being of others, is reliable and follows through with responsibilities and shows respect and consideration for other students and staff at all times.

Starkie fit the bill on all accounts.

“It meant a lot for me to get that, I wasn’t expecting it at all,” Starkie remarked. “It felt so good to be recognized as someone who is a great citizen and friend to most of my school community. I have always been very social and caring. I will talk to anyone and always care a lot about everyone being treated equally. It meant a lot to receive that award because I know that it isn’t anything specific that I am doing, it’s just who I am, and having that recognized as something special is pretty amazing!”

Starkie is planning on attending Vancouver Island University’s Duncan campus next spring to work towards getting a certificate in Office Administration. She then hopes to land a job in a school or municipal or other government office as a secretary.

The William Frier School Spirit award went to Sebastian Guzman Leah. The award named after long-time Chemainus Secondary teacher Bill Frier gives recognition to a student who demonstrated outstanding school spirit and service.

Melanie Cheng received the S.A. Bricker Trophy for effort. The award was established by a former Chemainus jeweler and the trophy goes to the student considered by staff to have shown the greatest effort in class during the year, not necessarily based on high academic achievement alone.

Joey Knowles was the recipient of the Cedric Lonsdale Award for the most improved student.

Named after ex vice-principal Lonsdale, the award is presented to the student who makes a dramatic turnaround during the school year through their effort, attitude and hard work, overcoming any personal and educational challenges.

Cameron Loeffen earned the Staff Award for service.

Among the qualities for the honour that Loeffen met were: a willingness to serve, volunteering services without being asked, receptive to instructions, showing initiative in providing the service, self-motivated, a reliable worker and more.

The Principal’s Award also went to Loeffen and Chayla Pollock was acknowledged as the valedictorian for the graduating class of 2021.

Service and leadership certificates were presented to numerous students during the awards program.

Subject awards were given out to a large number of students, with several making more than one trip to the podium.

Athletic team and individual awards were also announced, even during a limited sports season due to COVID. Mason Copeland was the junior male athlete of the year and Hannah Southern the junior female athlete of the year.

Intermediate honours went to Cameron Lewis among the males and there was no female winner.

Brooklyn Stobbe received the Stan Piper Sports Service Award, Kassidy Rankin the Outstanding Effort in Athletics Award now named after Jennie Hittinger and staff member Matthew Franko was honoured with the Barry and Betty Bell Award for coaching excellence.

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Cameron Loeffen receives the Principal’s Award from Lori Hryniuk during the Chemainus Secondary School awards presentations. (Photo by Greg Wall)
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Hanna Starkie receives the Phillips-Lloyd Trophy for citizenship from teacher Joninne Pinnell. (Photo by Greg Wall)
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Hannah Southern is the junior female athlete of the year award winner and Mason Copeland the junior male athlete of the year award winner at Chemainus Secondary School. (Photo by Greg Wall)
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Jennie Hittinger at the podium for the final time at Chemainus Secondary School during the 2021 awards presentations. She’s moving over to become the vice principal at Cowichan Secondary. (Photo by Greg Wall)
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Jennifer Mahon receives the Senior Arts award at Chemainus Secondary School. (Photo by Greg Wall)
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Melanie Cheng is presented the S.A. Bricker Trophy for effort by Joninne Pinnell. (Photo by Greg Wall)
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Siobhan Anderson at the podium to make a presentation. (Photo by Greg Wall)


Don Bodger

About the Author: Don Bodger

I've been a part of the newspaper industry since 1980 when I began on a part-time basis covering sports for the Ladysmith-Chemainus Chronicle.
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