Well-known local sports personality and teacher at the Yorkton Regional High School (YRHS) Gary Gawryliuk was recognized recently for his work with young people. The Nation Builder Award, bestowed on Gawryliuk and 11 other prominent Saskatchewan citizens by the Canadian Ukrainian Congress, recognizes important contributions to Canada in the area of volunteerism, leadership and culture. In total 100 prominent Canadians received the award this year.
Gawryliuk, born and raised in Theodore, attained prominence as an athlete, mentor, sports official, teacher, and student counsellor. He played baseball, hockey, including a stint in junior hockey in Yorkton, and fastball.
He attended the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon where he graduated with a Bachelor of Education degree. He completed his B.A. while teaching.
As a hockey official Gawryliuk headed up the SJHL referees division as well as serving as head clinician in charge of education programs for referees. Additionally he is currently the supervisor of officials for the SJHL.
His many roles in the Yorkton school system saw Gawryliuk teaching Ukrainian language classes at St. Joseph's Junior High School as well as English, history and agriculture in grades seven, eight and nine. He became a school SRC advisor and counsellor at YRHS.
Currently Gawryliuk works with new Canadian families and children from Ukraine, helping them to adjust to their new situation in Canada.
Gawryliuk combined his interest in teaching and sports as education coordinator for the SJHL's Yorkton Terriers and Melville Millionaires as well as the Yorkton Harvest of the SMAAAHL.
He was recognized for his many contributions to local sports by being inducted into the Yorkton Sports Hall of Fame several years ago.
"I love working with kids and I think that's probably the best job a person can ever have is in the education field," Gawryliuk claims.
The award was presented at a ceremony which took place at the Delta Bessborough in Saskatoon recently. In addition to Gawryliuk award recipients include an Olympian, a judge, several educators and a number of people who were prominent promoters of the Ukrainian heritage and culture through their lifestyle, work and their church.
Gawryliuk says he was surprised at his nomination feels very honored to have received the award.
He thanks the Trischuk family for his nomination. "I had the privilege of teaching all four of their kids and they're young men and women who are out in the community and doing their own thing in their own lives but took the time to remember the impact I might have a had on their lives as a teacher, as a mentor as a school counsellor and now as a friend," Gawryliuk explains.
Approximately 350 people took part in the ceremony including family, friends, and dignitaries such as Saskatchewan deputy premier Ken Krawetz, and former premier Roy Romanow. "Both Krawetz and Romanow have deep roots in Ukrainian culture," Gawryliuk notes. Saskatchewan Lieutenant-governor Barnhardt presented the recipients with their awards.
"It was an elaborate function with a lot of pomp and ceremony which definitely made me feel good for what I had done in 33 odd years of teaching," Gawryliuk recalls.
The fact that he is Ukrainian had nothing to do with what he did in the classroom or outside the classroom, Gawryliuk claims. "It was just something I enjoyed doing," he states.
Such recognition definitely tells one he's getting older, Gawryliuk jokes. He still enjoys meeting former students he taught 10, 15 or 20 years ago. Suddenly they have their families in tow and are introducing spouses and children to him. Very recently he encountered a former Yorkton Maller hockey player who currently plays senior hockey in Whitewood who greeted him with, "Hey Mr. Gawryliuk, how's it going?" The greeting reflects the 'respect' issue a person has earned because of what he has done with the youth, Gawryliuk suggests.
"I don't certainly go looking for notoriety in regard to that. I just do what I enjoy doing and I think that's the big part about giving from the heart," Gawryliuk explains his feelings about the recognition he's received.
The award recognizes recipients as members of a group of individuals who have done outstanding things in Canada and in Saskatchewan in regard to volunteering, leadership, education or a combination of all three. Gawryliuk admits he was in awe of some of his fellow recipients who he feels have made fantastic contributions.
He admits that while he didn't seek any such award, it was a welcome recognition of his many efforts over the years. "It's a good feeling. Maybe it's part of a closing chapter that will never, ever close realistically because as long as I live and breathe, I will still help young individuals," he concludes.
