Best of the rest in Central Region
Bishop Strachan
Krystyna Bellisario
This grade 12 student captained the basketball, ice hockey and soccer teams. She received Merit Awards (MVP) for basketball and soccer, and a coaches award for hockey. This 17-year-old is a house captain at the school and volunteers at a daycare in the summer. She earned a gold Duke of Edinburgh Award and plans to attend Princeton University in the fall. Coaches say she’s been an excellent ambassador for the school.
Bloor CI
Khaleeq Khan
This grade 12 student needs a large trophy case — she’s been named MVP numerous times for volleyball and basketball, and was named rookie of the year in grade 9. She served on the girls athletic association and has been on the honour roll all four years of high school. Khaleeq played on the city and provincial championship co-ed volleyball teams. She also participates in school plays. Coaches say she’s a hard worker who constantly strives for excellence and encourages others to do so in a positive manner.
Quang Vuong
This multi-sport captain played basketball, volleyball and badminton this year. He played on the city team and provincial championship co-ed volleyball teams. He has served two years on the boys athletic association and won an Honour B Award. He’s maintained honour roll status throughout high school. Coaches say Quang works hard to achieve excellence on the court and in the classroom.
Branksome Hall
Samantha Rose
This grade 12 student played volleyball, soccer, rugby, softball and hockey this year. She’s been soccer and rugby MVP the past four years and captained both teams. Samantha is also involved with the yearbook committee and the school’s drama productions, most recently Shakespeare’s As You Like It. She exemplifies the spirit of the school, coaches say.
Crescent School
Daniel Cameron
Daniel starred on the school’s soccer, hockey and rugby teams this year. He earned MVP honours for hockey and an outstanding contribution award for rugby. He was co-captain of the soccer team and a school prefect. Coaches say he balances a busy school schedule with non-school activities. He works hard to keep his teams working together and to celebrate his teams’ accomplishments.
Jake Graham
Watch out for this grade 12 on the track: Jake holds five school track records and made several appearances at OFSAA for track and cross-country. Highlights of his year include a third-place finish at the Copps Indoor Games. He competed at the Canadian cross-country championship and earned a running scholarship to Wake Forest University in the U.S. for fall 2009. Coaches say he’s a positive teammate who supports others and helps younger students feel like valuable team members.
Forest Hill CI
Daisuke Suzuki
This grade 11 student excelled on the diamond this year, earning MVP honours for baseball. He also played on the football team, and participated in track and field and swimming. Coaches say he’s a do-it-all athlete who is skilled in a wide range of sports. He’s a quiet leader who has the respect of his teammates.
Elizabeth Westgate
This honour roll student has been a leader in athletics at Forest Hill since grade 9. She was MVP for basketball this year and also played soccer and badminton. She was co-president of the athletic council, a school prefect and involved in the school’s drama program. Coaches say Elizabeth is dedicated and coachable, and a caring teammate.
Greenwood College School
Stephan Dalkie
This grade 12 student played soccer, rugby, basketball and hockey this year, earning MVP honours for his play on the ice. He’s on the principal’s list for his above-80 percent average.
David McMurtry
This 17-year-old played volleyball, basketball and rugby this year. Highlights include a trip to OFSAA for volleyball and being crowned MVP for basketball and volleyball. Coaches say he’s an amazing athlete who is dedicated to practice.
Jessica Walker
This multi-sport MVP played volleyball, rugby and basketball this year. She also earned a coaches award for basketball. She’s on the principal’s list for her above-80 percent average.
Leaside High School
Emily Rose Galliani Pecchia
This grade 11 student played on four school teams this year, as well as a Junior AA hockey squad. This was her first year playing basketball and quickly became a starter. Emily Rose co-captained several teams and will helm the girls hockey squad next year. She won first place at the Leaside History Fair and has been elected to next year’s student council. Coaches say Emily Rose is an exceptional leader who brings passion to every competition.
Scott Leathem
This 18-year-old was a force on the hockey, golf, baseball, badminton, tennis, football and ball hockey teams. He also found time to help coach the girls tennis team. A highlight of Scott’s year was being named MVP for baseball, ball hockey and golf. The grade 12 student is president of the Leaside Athletic Association. Coaches say he consistently demonstrates leadership.
Loretto College CHS
Elimar Guaca
This grade 11 student plays on many sports teams: swimming, table tennis, badminton, tennis, cross-country, track and softball. She earned a bronze in doubles tennis at the 2008 TDCAA. Coaches say her commitment, dedication and talent are worthy of recognition.
Marc Garneau CI
Gabriela Heslop
This grade 12 student played basketball, volleyball and soccer during her high school career. She was named most improved player for basketball this season. Gabriela is an honour roll student who also captained the basketball team. Coaches say she promoted an optimistic attitude to her teammates and presented herself as a great role model.
Atif Waleed
An honour roll student, Atif participated on four teams this year: football, cricket, basketball and ultimate Frisbee. This grade 12 student earned MVP honours for ultimate Frisbee and captained the basketball team. Coaches say he’s respectful, polite, patient and always ready to practice. He rarely misses school or practice.
Northern Secondary School
Peter Forte
Peter played basketball, football and baseball this year. A grade 12 student, he was named most inspirational player on his basketball team three times. He was named baseball MVP this year and was a peer leader. Coaches say he’s an outstanding student-athlete who is well respected by peers, coaches and teachers.
Alex Nevitte
This grade 12 student created and coached the school’s novice girls volleyball team. She co-captained the senior girls volleyball team, as well as the rugby squad. A highlight of her rugby season was going to OFSAA after winning the city championship. Alex was president of the girls athletic association, was a peer aid and also participated in the buddy program to help grade 9 students. Coaches say Alex worked tirelessly on many different initiatives throughout the school.
North Toronto CI
Cole Crawford
Watch out for this grade 12 student on the diamond: he earned baseball MVP honours this year. Cole also played hockey, golf and football, and earned a Josh Matlow Award. He’s an honour roll student who coaches say is one of the best athletes they’ve ever coached.
Sir Sanford Fleming
Brigit Boateng
While she’s only in grade 10, Brigit has already made a name for herself in the school’s athletic scene. She was named girls basketball MVP after captaining the squad and posting the highest point total. The team placed second at the TDSSAA city championship. Brigit also contributed to the soccer team, making it to the north region quarterfinals. It was her first year playing soccer and she wound up being a key player. Coaches say Brigit is a naturally gifted athlete who is humble, dedicated and sportsmanlike.
St. Clement’s School
Rosalind Pfaff
Rosalind was a key member on the CISAA championship softball team this spring. She also minded the net for the hockey squad the past six years. This grade 12 student was sports captain at the school this year and coaches say she’s a leader on and off the field. She was a key planner for the school’s athletic banquet.
St. Michael’s College School
Kyle Macaulay
This grade 12 student was a force on the soccer and track and field teams. He earned a scholarship to Robert Morris University in Pennsylvania.
Oakwood CI
Jessica Giang
Coaches praise this grade 12 student for being a great role model to younger students. She’s a member of the girls athletic association and played softball and volleyball this year. She won awards of merit for both sports. Coaches say she was instrumental in starting up Oakwood’s co-ed volleyball team, even writing up a funding proposal.
Upper Canada College
Nicholas Lombardo
This grade 12 student brings his sporting expertise all the way from London, England. He played on the school’s soccer, basketball and rugby teams. A highlight of Nicholas’s year was winning the National Independent School Senior Soccer Championships. He’s set to attend Yale University in the fall after graduating in the top 5 percent of his class.
Jordan Morash
This East Coast native played soccer, hockey and badminton this year. He played on the championship soccer team, took home OFSAA bronze for hockey and was the CISAA badminton singles champ. Jordan plans to attend Acadia University in the fall.
Vaughan Road Academy
Gary Guinness
This grade 12 student is a force on the court and in the pool. He qualified for OFSAA in swimming this year. Gary has a 96 percent academic average and is set to attend the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario. Coaches say he’s a true scholar and athlete.
Ali Underhill
This provincially ranked tennis player participated on six school teams this year: basketball, volleyball, badminton, slo-pitch, soccer and tennis. She placed fifth in the city in badminton and qualified for OFSAA tennis three times. The grade 11 student also sits on the school’s athletic council.
The York School
Leah Bandler
This multi-sport athlete played on six school teams as well as three competitive sports teams outside of school. She earned coaches awards for soccer, ultimate Frisbee and basketball, and MVP honours for basketball and track. Highlights of the grade 11 student’s year include making it to the final four in volleyball and basketball and earning a silver medal at CISAA. Coaches say Leah’s dedication to improving herself is outstanding.
Peter Hass
This grade 12 student played basketball, volleyball, ultimate Frisbee, golf and softball this year. He earned MVP honours for softball and volleyball, and captained the basketball and volleyball teams. Highlights of his year include silver medals in CISAA basketball and ultimate Frisbee.
ALL PHOTOGRAPHS FRANCIS CRESCIA/TOWN CRIER
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