KDES Sports Ceremony

contributed by Dwight Alston

Prior to Kendall’s May 22nd Sports Ceremony; Team 6/7/8 students were excited in anticipation of the event. They were visibly discussing who would receive awards. Even during classes, the students asked questions about the ceremony. Some of them asked if they were expected to wear nice clothes. Some of them even talked about having haircuts. We began with dinner: fried chicken, corn on the cob, pasta salads, and Chinese stir-fry noodles. We enjoyed the dinner very much. After dinner, we went to the auditorium for the awards, which commenced at 7 p.m.

Parents, teachers, staff, and students attended the event. Dr. Jankowski kicked off the ceremony pretending there was a wildcat hiding in the auditorium. She managed to dupe us when she pointed in the direction where the wildcat was. Some of us bit the bait. Of course, there was no wildcat there! We all had a good laugh every time she did that.

After Dr. Jankowski’s remarks, our guest of the ceremony, Rachel Boll, gave an excellent presentation. Rachel was a former MSSD student who was the first person, male or female, to participate in the World Games of the Deaf Olympics in both summer and winter sports. Rachel competed in volleyball and snowboarding. The MSSD alumni talked about the importance of youngsters, especially middle school students, attending sport camps. She added that camps should not be limited to sports only. She emphasized the importance of developing social skills or community relationship among the youngsters. Camp it is, she said. The audience gave Rachel Boll a well-deserved ovation!

AWARDS:

Volleyball
Coaches’ Award: Megan George
Most Outstanding Athlete: Mahalia Palmer

Cheerleading
Coaches’ Award: Lark McNamara
Most Outstanding Cheerleader: Charleen Foster

Girls Basketball
Coaches’ Award: Breanna Wilson
Most Outstanding Athlete: Alicia Balzer

Boys Basketball
Coaches’ Award: Tim Martin
Most Outstanding Athlete: Sylvester Spencer

Softball
Coaches’ Award: Renee Glanville
Most Outstanding Athlete: Alicia Balzer

Track
Coaches’ Award: Michael Halloran
Most Outstanding Athlete: John Martin

Scholar-Athletes
Alicia Balzer, Cierra Cotton, Mahalia Palmer, David VanBoxalere, Breanna Wilson

The Wildcat Outstanding Athlete
Mahalia Palmer