Warren Collegiate students honoured at banquet

Student achievement, leadership and dedication beyond the classroom were celebrated June 25 as Warren Collegiate Institute recognized the accomplishments of dozens of students during its inaugural Extra-Curricular Awards Banquet.

The event celebrated students who devoted countless hours to athletics, academics, leadership and community service throughout the school year.

Teacher Fallon Campbell welcomed students and their families while highlighting the importance of extracurricular involvement in shaping the high school experience.

These activities require students to dedicate their time, energy, commitment and often many hours outside the regular school day. Campbell said students participate for many different reasons, whether striving to beat a personal best, improve on previous performances or simply because they enjoy being part of a team, club or cause.

She said those experiences help foster a sense of belonging within the school community.

“We are fortunate to have tremendous talent in this building,” she said. “But what makes us most proud is not simply the achievements being recognized today, it is the character of the young adults sitting in front of us.”

Campbell said extracurricular activities provide lessons that extend far beyond high school.

“They teach students how to work hard toward a goal, persevere through challenges, support one another, lead with confidence manage their time, build resilience and contribute to something bigger than themselves.”

Several students were recognized for outstanding academic achievements.

Michaella Monforton received recognition for her contributions to the school’s Envirothon team after becoming the team’s aquatics specialist and dedicating countless hours to studying aquatic ecosystems.

Shelby Birch was honoured for competing in the Brain Bee, a neuroscience competition focused on the brain and nervous system. Birch was recognized for studying two extensive textbooks while maintaining honours with merit during her Grade 12 year.

Monforton, Melissa McDonald and Kiera Schnell were also recognized for participating in the Ethics Bowl, an academic competition in which students discuss and analyze complex ethical issues.

Olivia Fontaine received the Promising Leadership Award for her contributions to the WCI Leadership Group. 

Athletic awards were presented in golf, cross-country, volleyball, hockey, basketball, badminton, baseball and track and field.

Graduate Kiera Schutz, who was unable to attend the banquet, received the School Service Award for her exceptional commitment to the school community. Schutz was recognized for organizing initiatives such as the ISD Relay for Life, mentoring younger students, assisting staff, supporting school events and consistently demonstrating leadership and kindness.

The 2025-26 Junior Varsity Female Athlete of the Year was Mackenzie Boonstra.

Boonstra was recognized for excelling in volleyball, basketball, hockey, track and field and running. She earned junior varsity tournament all-star honours at the provincial championships and was named player of the game at both the junior varsity and varsity provincial tournaments. Coaches also praised her leadership, competitive drive and support of her teammates.

Adam Ball was named the 2025-26 Junior Varsity Male Athlete of the Year. Recognized for his commitment and strong performances throughout the year, Ball competed in volleyball, basketball, badminton and track and field. He also established Zone records in the junior varsity pentathlon, the 100-metre dash and shot put.

Maria Riddell received the 2025-26 Female Athlete of the Year award after competing in cross-country, girls’ hockey, basketball and track and field. She was recognized for her leadership, dedication, work ethic and team-first attitude.

Ty Olson was named the 2025-26 Male Athlete of the Year. Olson represented WCI over four years in hockey, baseball, cross-country, track and field and badminton. Coaches recognized his leadership, versatility, dedication and consistent contributions to every team he represented.

The school also presented delayed awards from the cancelled 2024-25 banquet. Torie Galbraith received the Junior Varsity Female Athlete of the Year award, while Layne Noren and Sam Corbett were recognized as Junior Varsity Male Athletes of the Year.

Principal Tyler Oliver closed by congratulating students on their accomplishments.

He noted success is not measured only by championships, medals, banners or awards, but by a student’s commitment to showing up, working hard, supporting teammates and representing the school with pride and integrity.

“Throughout the year students faced challenges, celebrated victories, learned from setbacks and have grown as individuals and leaders,” he said. “For that, you should all be incredibly proud.”

Oliver also thanked parents, guardians and supporters for their encouragement throughout the year and expressed appreciation for the coaches, advisors, supervisors and volunteers who dedicate countless hours before and after school, during lunch hours, evenings and weekends to provide meaningful opportunities for students.

“The impact you have on our students reached far beyond wins and losses. You teach valuable life lessons, build confidence and help create experiences and memories that will last a lifetime.”

Other award winners

Cross-country

• Grit and Grace Award — Everly Sherry (JV Girls)

• Dedication Award — Madison Corbett (JV Girls)

• Grit and Grace Award — Thoren Corbett (JV Boys)

• Rookie Runner Award — Oliver Fleury (JV Boys)

• Rookie Runner Award — Charlie Beachell (JV Boys)

• Pack Leader Award — Kiera Schutz (Varsity Girls)

• Grit Award — Sam Corbett (Varsity Boys)

Golf

• Top Male Golfer — Johnathon Gilmore

• Top Female Golfer — Blake Darragh

Hockey

• Hardest Working Athlete — Blake Darragh (Girls)

• Most Improved Athlete — Jersey MacMillan (Girls)

• MVP — Joslyn Tetlock (Girls)

• Excellence, Character and Team-First Award — Ty Olson (Boys)

• Growth and Commitment to Improvement Award — Mason Klassen (Boys)

• First-Year Proficiency Award — Jonathon Gilmore (Boys)

Volleyball

• Coach’s Choice Award — Kenzie Boonstra (JV Girls)

• Rookie Award — Emma Cassils (JV Girls)

• Most Improved Athlete — Addalyn Grandmont (JV Girls)

• Coach’s Choice Award — Adam Ball (JV Boys)

• Most Improved Athlete — James Knutson (JV Boys)

• Coach’s Choice Award — Camryn Oliver (Varsity Girls)

• MVP — Julia Oliver, Torie Galbraith and Paige Seidel (Varsity Girls)

• Coach’s Choice Award — Layne Noren (Varsity Boys)

• Most Improved Athlete — Ryder Clare-Badgley (Varsity Boys)

Basketball

• Most Improved Athlete — Ella Riddell (JV Girls)

• Coach’s Choice Award — Jersey MacMillan (JV Girls)

• Rookie of the Year — Ashlyn Hoas (JV Girls)

• Offensive Player Award — Sawyer Keena (JV Boys)

• Defensive Player Award — Leighton Chartrand (JV Boys)

• Sportsmanship Award — Lee Hearn (JV Boys)

• Most Improved Athlete — Veronica Varnes (Varsity Girls)

• Moment of the Year — Maria Riddell (Varsity Girls)

• MVP — Blake Darragh and Kiera Schutz (Varsity Girls)

Badminton

• Top Singles Player — Ashlyn Hoas (JV)

• Top Team — Yaseen Ball and Emma Cassils (JV)

• Top Singles Player — Sam Corbett (Varsity)

• Top Team — Torie Galbraith and Paige Seidel (Varsity)

Track and field

• MVP — Connor Grenkow

• Roadrunner Award — Rylan Thibodeau

• Rookie of the Year — Yaseen Ball

• Rookie of the Year — Addalyn Grandmont

• Peak Performer Award — Burke Johnson

• Field MVP — Julia Oliver

Baseball

• MVP — Ashton Baldwin

• Team Player Award — Rhet King

• Utility Player of the Year — Benett Bergthorson

Records

• Varsity boys pentathlon record (2,963 points) — Connor Grenkow

• Junior varsity pentathlon (2,513 points) — Adam Ball