Matthew Halton High School Academic Achievement Awards

Toni Lucas, Pincher Creek Voice

Matthew Halton's Grade 10 Academic award students
Toni Lucas, photos

Spirits were high in the Matthew Halton High School Gymnasium Wednesday evening, September 21. The school's academic awards were handed out. In talking with a few of the students before the event started, I found out that they did not know "what" they were to be awarded, just that they had achieved in some way. They had been asked to attend to pick up their awards.

Matthew Halton Grade 7 Honours
T. Lucas, photo

Before the public was invited in, faculty and students alike were busy setting up. One of the students, Jenna Butt spent half an hour making the drawing for the background of the awards area, Thomas Bruckner and Micaela Pura assisted Yoda Taylor, and Laura Heine with organizing of plaques, medals, flower arrangements, and audio video equipment. Robinson was MC for the evening. Even the students that were helping did not know what they were being awarded, and the plaques were covered, hidden from any curious eyes.

Alexandra Morgan
T. Lucas photo

The evening started off with Alexandra Morgan singing "Oh, Canada", and Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah". Principal Sandy Triett addressed the crowd prior to a slide show, created by Pura with the help of Bruckner and Brody Provost, that illustrated some of the experiences of the students over the past 13 months.
Robinson then explained the awards to the crowd, how the academic achievements can equate with a part-time job. Honours students can receive up to $2,500 toward their continuing education upon graduating high school. Robinson expressed her heartfelt appreciation for being a part of the evening's festivities.

The first awards of the night, the awards for highest Academic Average for grades 7 to 9, were sponsored by the Pincher Creek Elks and presented by Mr. Rick Clark.

Rick Clark, Elks and Rhea Terre, Royal Purple
T. Lucas photo

The Junior High Merit Awards were given out by Rhea Terre on behalf of the Order of the Royal Purple. It was a truly solemn moment for these two presenters, as their Orders are disbanding in the Pincher Creek area due to a lack of new members. Even as they disband, the Elks and their counterparts are investing in the future of the community.
After the excitement, refreshments were served in the lobby, with students and parents getting the chance to visit with friends and neighbours.
General awards

Highest Academic Average:
Grade 7, Sam Gerrand; Grade 8, Kate Nicas; Grade 9, Will Noel.
Presented by Mr. Rick Clark, and Principal Ms. Sandy Treit, donated by Pincher Creek Elks and Matthew Halton.

Mathematics Award:
Grade 7, Hayley Davis; Grade 8, Kyla Lewis; Grade 9, Brandon Simon;
Presented by Mr. Randy Whitehead and Mr. Kevin Sheen, donated by Pincher Creek Credit Union.

Science Award:
Grade 7, Morgan LaRose; Grade 8, Pete Manners; Grade 9, Sabrina Stushnoff.
Presented by Mr. Dan Orr and Mr. Kevin Sheen, donated by Matthew Halton.

Social Studies Award:
Grade 7, Taylor Wells; Grade 8, Paul Johnson; Grade 9, Peyton LaRose.
Presented by Mr. Greg Freer, donated by Matthew Halton.

Language Award:
Grade 7, Marieka Welke; Grade 8, Jack Dietze; Grade 9, Arianna Korbett.
Presented by Mr. Wade Martinson and Mr. Kevin Sheen, donated by Matthew Halton.

Physical Education Award (Girls):
Grade 7, Samantha Cyr; Grade 8, Jayden Kennedy; Grade 9, Carlee Fitzpatrick.
Presented and donated by Mrs. Hilary Matheson.

Physical Education Award (Boys):
Grade 7, Levi Anderson; Grade 8, Jack Dietze; Grade 9, Will Noel.
Presented and donated by Mrs. Hilary Matheson.

Junior High Honours Certificates and Medals:
Presented to students who received an average of 80% or higher, on their final course marks.

Grade 7:  Levi Anderson, Alissa Bonertz, Mitchel Brady, Alexis Breckenridge, Alexsana Butt, Samantha Cyr, Hayley Davis, Nichole Davis, Cayleigh Duffield, Sam Gerrand, Katrina Kocsis, Morgan LaRose, Marcel Levecque, Robyn Lively, Jaden Many Grey Horses, Megan McGlynn, Ben Riviere, Tyler Scherger, Andrew Shade, Travis Stushnoff, Cheyenne Van Ee, Frank van Zandwijk, Marieka Welke, Taylor Wells, Kayla Zielke.
Presented by Mrs. Sandy Treit and Mrs. Yoda Taylor.

Grade 8:  Jack Dietze, Claudia Higginbotham, Paul Johnson, Jayden Kennedy, Kyla Lewis, Pete Manners, Emily Milligan, Alexandra Morgan, Kate Nicas, Jaiden Panchyshyn, Amber Sokownin, Jan Taylor, Winter Traverse, Raegan Tregillus.
Presented by Mrs. Sandy Treit and Mrs. Yoda Taylor.

Grade 9:  Amanda Kocsis, Arianna Korbett, Peyton LaRose, Will Noel, Brandon Simon, Samantha Stushnoff.
Presented by Mrs. Sandy Treit and Mrs. Yoda Taylor.

Junior High Merit Awards:
Grade 7, Mackenzie Strachan-Reed; Grade 8, Josh Sutherland; Grade 9, Madison Kristjanson.
Presented by Rhea Terre and Mrs. Susan Robinson, donated by Order of the Royal Purple.

Junior High Shop Award:
Mickey Main
Presented by Mr. Dan Orr, donated by Pincher Creek Co-op Lumber.

Food Awards:
Grade 7, Alexsana Butt; Grade 8, Jayden Kennedy; Grade 9, Peyton LaRose and Dakota Van Loon.
Presented by Yoda Taylor, donated by Taylor Farms and Alberta Milk Producers.

Junior High Fine Arts Band Award:
Jaiden Panchyshyn
Presented by Miss Laura Heine, donated by Matthew Halton.

Junior High Fine Arts Award:
Grade 7, Marieka Welke; Grade 8, Jack Dietze; Grade 9, Amanda Kocsis.
Presented and donated by Miss Laura Heine.

Senior High Academic Awards, Grade 10:

Highest Academic Average:
Lisa Manners
Presented by Ms Susan Robinson, donated by Mr. and Mrs. Bill T. Smith and Matthew Halton.

Math
Yea-Nee Shin
Presented by Mrs. Kathy Rast, donated by Matthew Halton.

Science
Veronica Oczkowski
Presented by Mrs. Kathy Rast, donated by Matthew Halton.

English
Celeste Austring
Presented by Mrs. Hilary Matheson, donated by Westcastle Motors.

Social Studies
Claire Johnson
Presented by Mr. Greg Freer, donated by Westcastle Motors.

Grade 10 Physical Education Awards:

Girls: Celeste Austring
Boys: Brandon Cyr
Presented and donated by Mrs. Hilary Matheson

Senior High Academic Awards, Grade 11:

Highest Academic Average:
Micaela Pura
Presented by Ms. Sandy Treit, donated by Matthew Halton.

Mathematics:
Andrea Parker
Presented by Mr. Verhagen and Mr. Whitehead, donated by Matthew Halton.

Science, Biology
Morgan Claypool
Presented by Mrs. Kathy Rast, donated by Matthew Halton.

English
Sydney Riedel
Presented by Mrs. Hilary Matheson, donated by Matthew Halton.

Social
Samantha Stushnoff
Presented by Mr. Greg Freer, donated by Matthew Halton.

High School Honours Certificates and Medals:
Presented to students who received an average of 80% or higher, on their final course marks.

Grade 10: Cortney Anderson, Celeste Austring, Jenna Butt, Lauren Higginbotham, Claire Johnson, Cassidy Keeley, Lisa Manners, Veronica Oczkowski, Yea-nee Shin, Sally Turner.

Grade 11: Morgan Claypool, Mackenzie Jordan, Erica Lewis, Kendall-Jo Oliver, Andrea Parker, Micaela Pura, Sydney Riedel, Crystal Simon, Samantha Stushnoff.
Presented by Ms. Sandy Treit and Mrs. Yoda Taylor.

Grade 10 and 11 Awards:

Senior High Art 10
Claire Johnson
Presented and donated by Miss Laura Hiene.

Senior High Art 20
Annika Lewis
Presented and donated by Miss Laura Hiene.

Senior High Band
Jillian Sokownin
Presented by Mr. Whitehead and Mr. Martinson, donated by Matthew Halton.

Dramatic Arts Award
Thomas Bruckner
Presented by Mr. Whitehead and Mr. Martinson, donated by Mr. Duane Petluk.

Senior High Shop
Nathan Pettersen
Presented by Mr. Dan Orr, donated by Pincher Creek Co-op Lumber.

Senior High Foods
A four way tie between Chelsea Kocsis, Shyanne Lesmeister, Veronica Oczkowski, Yea-Nee Shin.
Presented by Yoda Taylor, donated by Taylor Farms and Alberta Milk Producers.

Citizenship Award
Micaela Pura
Presented by Cindy Hefchl and Ms. Susan Robinson, donated by Eastern Star Citizenship Award.