The Estevan Comprehensive School took time out last Wednesday to honour a number of students at its annual awards night.
The lengthy program included the presentation of numerous scholarships and bursaries and academic and athletic awards.
Among the bursaries were a pair of new additions - the Derrik Seemann Memorial Award and the Doris Frehlick Bursary Award.
The Seeman Memorial Award held special meaning for a number of the students in attendance as it was presented in honour of Seemann who was killed in a head on collision north of Benson last August.
His tragic death prompted a pair of former schoolmates - Kara Graves and Alex Moore - to create the bursary to remember their friend who they described as a happy, fun loving person who brought joy to many people.
"We became really good friends and he was a super nice guy and we wanted him to be remembered," said Kara. "Everybody knew him for his smile and kind gestures."
"I was new last year and I didn't really have any friends and I sat by myself in the (cafeteria) and he would always come up and sit with me and ask me how my day was. He was always there if I needed him."
To raise money for the bursary Kara and Alex baked over 400 cupcakes and sold them at the school. They also had a raffle basket and took donations. Showing they, too, remembered Seemann, ECS students contributed $700 to the cause which allowed Kara and Alex to give money to two students - Ryan Olsen and Tamara Steman - who both embodied a number of the same characteristics as Seemann.
The other new bursary was created by the family of Doris Frehlick, who earlier this year gave her the unique gift of an award in her name. The criteria for the bursary focused on many of the characteristics that are important to Frehlick such as a positive attitude, excellent attendance, dedication to their studies and above average grades. Janelle Gedak was the inaugural winner of the bursary.
Among the other highlights of the scholarship and bursary portion of the evening was the presentation of the Norvin and Alice Uhrich Academic Leadership Awards. The awards were created by the former Estevan residents who placed a high importance on the education of local youth.
The winners this year were: Kaitlyn Pilloud, humanities; Britney Ruzesky, liberal arts; Hien Le, math and science; Ryan Olsen, technical vocational.
The evening also gave the school a chance to recognize some of the students who have excelled in academics.
Among the award winners were:
Board proficiency awards: Grade 10, Alyssa Doerr; Grade 11, Jordan Torgunrud; Grade 12, Kayleen Wingert.
Business Education Department Medal, Alanna Dickie.
English Department Medal, Hien Le.
Mildred Keating Memorial Award, Britney Ruzesky.
Fine Arts Department Medal, Alex Thieven.
Core French Department Medal, Samantha Campbell.
French Immersion Department Medal, Britney Ruzesky.
Math Department Medal, Kayleen Wingert.
Physical Education Department Medal, Hien Le.
Science Department Medal, Kayleen Wingert.
Social Studies Department Medal, Kaitlyn Pilloud.
Technical Education Department Medal, Ryan Olsen.
Most Improved Student, Jessie Clement.
ECS Citizenship, Dustin MacCuish.
The top 10 honour roll students for Grades 10 through 12 were also announced.
Grade 10:
Alyssa Doerr, Landra Schlamp, Tanner Tytlandsvik, Shayla Mosley, Jake Spilchuk, Morgan Ruel, Shayna Hamilton, Kyle Goulet, Whitney Gervais, Katelyn Pippus (tie), Rebecca Blackburn (tie) and Mackenzie Dahl (tie).
Grade 11:
Jordan Torgunrud, Kaylee MacKenzie, Rebecca Dukart, Brayden Gervais, Brooke Pachal, Cassidy Reich, Joshua Pele, Harley Doerr, Amber Dechief and Maddie Blischak.
Grade 12:
Kayleen Wingert, Merisha Cossette, Britney Ruzesky, Garett Earl, Hien Le, Kyla Dietz, Samantha Campbell, Zoe Sereggela, Kelci Little and Dustin MacCuish.
The Mr. and Mrs. ECS awards for the various grades were the final announcements of the evening.
Miss Grade 9: Kristen Skjonsby
Mr. Grade 9: Jaime Collins
Miss. Grade 10: Jacqueline Peeace
Mr. Grade 10: Tate Wrubleski
Miss Grade 11: Shaylee Foord
Mr. Grade 11: Josh Pele
Miss Grade 12: Larissa Smeltzer
Mr. Grade 12: Dustin MacCuish
