Barrhead Composite High School held their annual Athletic Banquet to recognize the accomplishments and efforts of their talented athletes Wednesday, June 13.
The gymnasium filled with family, friends, teachers, coaches, and of course the honoured athletes. Students Hayley Gottschalk and Jaclyn Fischer, two of the three winners of Athlete of the Year, hosted the ceremony.
Students were called up by their coaches one by one to stand with their teammates at the front of the gym. Each coach had inside jokes, memories, and highlights of their season together to share. Stories ranged from a surprising and heroic 20-point comeback during an exciting girls’ basketball game, to the growth and accomplishments of certain timid team members as they finally gained confidence in their skills.
It was also a time for teachers and coaches to bid farewell to their grade 12 athletes, who would not be returning next year. Teacher and coach Gayle Lamothe, who normally organizes the night but was unable to this year due to illness, said it is always hard saying goodbye to students you have worked with for so many years. Some sports recruit students as early as the beginning of junior high.
“The track and field kids, we pick them up in junior high and we start coaching them in grade 6, then grade, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12,” she said. “It’s tough to see your dedicated hard workers leave you. You’re always proud of them and what they do.”
All team members were acknowledged for their participation in volleyball, track and field, cross country, golf, curling, badminton, and basketball. Individual awards were given to students for most improved player, most valuable player, the gryphon award, and the rookie award.
Athlete of the Year went to Mitch Koch, Hayley Gottschalk and Jaclyn Fischer.
Lamothe said the banquet is an important night for the athletes. After putting in so much time and effort into their chosen sports throughout the year, she said it’s nice to celebrate their accomplishments.
“They are our school athletes, so at the end of the year it’s nice to put on a banquet for them to be able to recognize individual athletes as well as the entire team,” she said. “We always try to get everybody there, whether or not they’re winning an award.”
The athletes didn’t forget to acknowledge that none of their accomplishments would have been possible without the support of their parents. From those early morning practices, to help in the financial department, to advice on the game regardless of whether or not they understood the sport, a loud round of applause went out to Mom and Dad.
“It’s also time for the kids to show a little bit of appreciation for the coaches,” said Lamothe. “At the end of the season, the last game is done and everybody scatters and is gone. Of course you will get kids who thank you along the way, but that just kind of makes it a little more formal for everybody.”
Lamothe said the evening has always been a lot of work to set up. The gym needs to be put together for the ceremony with tables and chairs, the banquet has to be arranged, plaques have to be made, among other things. However, she said the night is always a rewarding one.
“You kind of go, ‘why do I do this?’ But when that whole night is over, everyone is happy and seems very contented with their season of play,” said Lamothe. “That’s kind of rewarding. It makes it worthwhile.”
