Houston, Bednarik Sweep Jack Parry Awards for CKSS

Jack Parry Winners - Kailey Houston and Thomas Bednarik - Submitted Photo

For only the third time in the 18 year history of the Dr. Jack Parry Awards, both winners have come from the same high school, with this years male and female recipients, Kailey Houston and Thomas Bednarik, sweeping the awards for the Chatham-Kent Secondary School Golden Hawks. The award, considered the most prestigious honour for secondary school students in Chatham-Kent, is awarded each spring to a male and female athlete from one of Chatham-Kent’s ten high schools, who exemplifies athletic and academic abilities, as well as contributions to their school and community.

Kailey Houston, who was described as a “fearless leader” by coaches, starred for the CKSS volleyball, soccer, basketball, and badminton teams, making numerous OFSAA appearances, while maintaining a graduating four year academic average of 94%. Next year, Houston will attend Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo.

Similarly, Thomas Bednarik competed in multiple sports as a student at CKSS, including volleyball, basketball, soccer, and track and field, making several OFSAA appearances, and winning multiple OFSAA medals in track and field. As with Houston, Bednarik also leads in the classroom attaining an academic average of 89%. Next year, Bednarik will compete as a member of the track and field team at the University of Western Ontario.

Both Houston and Bednarik also received $1000 bursaries for winning the 2011 Dr. Jack Parry Award.

The other female nominees for the 2011 Dr. Jack Parry Award were Elyse Trudell (ESPC), Alana Vandersluis (BDHS), Allison Brower (CCHS), Rachel Varga (JMSS), Stacey McDonald (LKCS), Nicole Dilliot (RDHS), Britney Whaley (TDHS), Leann Finley (UCC), and Erin Sarapnickas (WDSS).

The other male nominees were Cale Shephard (WDSS), Myles Jones (UCC), Jake Huiting (Tilbury), Derek Braun (RDHS), James Shelton (LKCS), Lukas Vandusen (JMSS), Justin Mayer (ESPC), amd Ryan Brooke (BDHS).