Some of Aurora’s top student athletes are being honoured with a Sport Aurora School Athlete of the Year 2023 award.
The seventh annual event, held Aug. 3 at the Aurora Family Leisure Complex, highlighted the extraordinary accomplishments of 36 students from the York Region District School Board and York Catholic District School Board.
"These inspiring young athletes were recognized not only for their individual performances, but also for their influence in encouraging active participation in sport, and inspiring fellow students to stay active," a Sport Aurora news release stated.
“In many cases, school sport is the start of an athlete’s sport experience,” said Sport Aurora president Ron Weese. “Certainly, the multi-sport nature of school sports allows young people to learn many skills and meet new friends, but school sport also helps build pride within the student body. The Athletes of the Year for each school are to be congratulated for not only their athletic abilities, but as a proud representative of their school.”
The elementary and secondary school students were presented with their Sport Aurora certificates of excellence, along with additional certificates from their elected representatives.
Weese, who is also an Aurora town councillor, presided along with Alan Dean, chair of Sport Aurora’s sport celebration and recognition committee. Also on hand to congratulate the students were Newmarket-Aurora MP Tony Van Bynen, Aurora-Oak Ridges-Richmond Hill MP Leah Taylor Roy, and Newmarket-Aurora MPP Dawn Gallagher Murphy.
And for those athletes who could not attend, certificates were hand delivered by Sport Aurora executive director Laurie Mueller.
The following students received the awards:
- St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School — Quinlan Guillermo, Emmaleigh Sun
- St. Jerome Catholic Elementary School — Keria and Fiona Marley, Sebastian Torres
- Our Lady of Grace Catholic Elementary School — Shyla Gamble
- Holy Spirit Elementary School — Helena Cooray, Otitochi (Tito) Onyeamchi
- Light of Christ Catholic Elementary School - Victoria Rulli , Rani Kobeissi
- Northern Lights Public School — Alyssa Davidson, Patrick Alexander Balasoiu
- Lester B. Pearson Public School — Jasmine Acquaah, Julia Danielle Damtsis
- Hartman Public School — Colin Voloceai, Eva Shih
- Rick Hansen Public School — Sofie Belova, Christian Blake Bushfield
- Devins Drive Public School — Kaia Higgins, Alfie Ni
- Regency Acres Public School — Karson Stickle, Hannah Yaghoobi, Emek Saridas
- École élémentaire catholique Saint-Jean (St. John’s Catholic Elementary School) — Maika Hamdar, Brayden Young
- Cardinal Carter — Jonathan Shi, Abigail Lee, Tobechukwu Otoh, Michaela Nicolo, Blanka Lodi
- Aurora High School — Mikayla Cranney, Josh Blades
- St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic High School — Maya Weatherall, Adrian Hordatt
- Dr. G.W Williams Secondary School — Naomi Rositsan, Jerry Lin
Athletes represented a wide variety of events and were chosen by each of the schools who participated.
Mueller noted that in addition to the joy of participating and excelling in their activities, each of these young individuals gains valuable life skills along the way — many that will serve them well outside of sport.
“Their recognition in sport excellence is just another step in their journey to success,” said Mueller. “Congratulations to all students recognized by this program.”
