Often hidden behind the scenes, a Black Diamond teen was out of her element when she was called to the stage during her school’s awards ceremony last week.
Oilfields High School student Beth Anne Staples wasn’t used to so much attention as she received a standing ovation while accepting the Gallagher: The Spirit of Oilfields Award during the Black and Gold Awards ceremony on June 12. The award honours integrity, honesty, diligence and service to the school community.
“I don’t really like the spotlight too much,” Staples admitted after accepting the award. “I like to be behind the scenes.”
Staples was one of dozens of grades 7 to 12 Oilfields High School students recognized for their hard work and dedication over the last year in varying areas from academics to attitude.
In addition to the Gallagher: The Spirit of Oilfields Award, Staples was presented with the Drama 30 Award for the work she had done behind the scenes with lights and sound for the school’s performing arts program.
Since Grade 10, Staples has handled the technical side of the school’s performances, ceremonies and presentations and even created the PowerPoint presentation for the Black and Gold Awards.
“I feel really honoured that people feel that way about the work I’ve done with the school,” she said. “It feels overwhelming to know that people care that much. I don’t see what I do at the school as a big thing.”
Principal Scott Carey and his staff make a point to show students that their contributions are a big deal at the awards ceremony every spring.
In addition to receiving awards, students are invited to showcase their talents throughout the ceremony with performances of dance and music.
“It always surprised me what students can achieve outside the classroom and the talents they have,” Carey said. “It’s a different way to celebrate excellence.”
Carey said the awards aren’t only a celebration of the school’s students and teachers, but the community as well.
Corporations, small businesses and families collectively contribute tens of thousands of dollars towards the awards and bursaries presented at the awards ceremony each year, he said.
Community support is also shown outside of the ceremony.
For instance, several people who attended Oilfields High School’s graduation fundraising pancake breakfast during the Diamond Valley Parade on June 6 threw in extra money without a thought, he said.
For Carey, the Black and Gold Awards ceremony is bitter sweet.
While it celebrates students’ achievements, it’s also a farewell to those graduating or who won’t be returning the following year, Carey said.
“To know that your Grade 12s are leaving and a couple of staff are moving on, it’s tough to see them go,” he said.
“It opens the door for the new group going in the next year.”
Below is a list of some of the awards and scholarships presented at last week’s Black and Gold Awards ceremony:
John Standish Scholarship: Elise Denning
Cunning Scholarship: May Bunn
Frank Braithwaite Citizenship Award: Kaiden Powell
Wilmar Sorge Memorial Award: Lindy Malmberg
Jerry Caumartin Memorial Award: Jordan Rogers
Bryan Clarke Award: Tashena Daniels
Royal Canadian Legion Turner Valley Scholarship: Jake Bews
Royal Canadian Legion Bursary: May Bunn, Zarah Pearse and Levi Meston
ATB Citizenship Award: KJ Wi
Ben Steiger Memorial Scholarship: Jake Bews and Jaelynn Varty
Colton Briggs Free Spirit Award: Colby Willis
Oilfields High School Community Service Award: Cassandra Leis
Griffiths Memorial Centre Association Bursary: Kayla Hughes
Math awards: Nikita Palamar (7), Brielle Goss (8), Jordan Rogers (9), Cody Foley (10C), Karla Fuente Camara (10-3) and Lucian Reinke (calculus)
English language arts awards: Jaden Bilyk (7), Abigail Dyke (8), Jordan Rogers (9), Connor Mason (10), Jaime Wong (20-1) and John Foster (20-2)
Science awards: Matt Nadeau (7), Ethan Brown (8), Jordan Rogers (9), Noelle Duckworth (biology 20) and Jaime Wong (biology 30)
Social studies awards: Jaedyn Neufeld (7), Abby Dyke (8), Jordan Rogers (9), Kyle Foley (10-1), Christian Hrubant (10-2), Lucian Reinke (30-1) and Riel Lowry (30-2)
Physical education awards: Addie Hynscht (7), Logan Tymstra (8), Ben Collyer (9), Jimmy Blower (20) and Russell Grusing (30)
Fitness awards: Kiera Bretzlaff (7), Ethan Brown (8) and Hunter Carter (9)
Sports medicine award: Kianna Klopp
Band citizenship award and Don Russell Award: Kodee Donaldson
Outstanding musician award: Alis Marin
Most improved musician award: Ryan (Scott) Bull-Webb-Harris
Band awards: Chloe Jachymek (7), Abigail Dyke (8) and Lace Jensen (senior)
Unsung hero award: Chet Meston
Drama awards: Venus Sampson-Taber (7), Makayla Nadeau (8), Lina King (10), Kassy Pratt-Schwang (20) and Beth Anne Staples (30)
Musical theatre awards: Emma-Lee Anderson (10), Austin Caron (20) and Elise Denning (30)
Outstanding musical performance award: Colby Willis
Most improved singer/dancer award: Jasmine Sousa
Most improved actor award: Ivy McPhate
Citizenship awards: Mackenzie Farnell-Scheller (7), Woo Wi (8) and Jade Nelson (9)
Most improved awards: Troy Iverson (7), Eli Lange (8), Shea Sands (9), Blake Paul (10), Lindy Malmberg (11) and Tashena Daniels (12)
Quest academic awards: Monica Zacaruk (10) and Kate Jackson (11)
Quest citizenship award: Lina King (10) and Kodee Donaldson (11)
Outdoor achievement awards: Blake Paul (10) and Samantha Warkman
Industrial education awards: Jaden Bilyk (7), Alexi Oborne (8), Ashley Nelson (9), Dallin Varty (10) and John Foster (11/12)
Home economics awards: Addie Hynscht (7) and Jaylah Caldwell (8)
Senior foods award: Tim Murrin
Digital technology awards: Alexandra Matthews (7), Abby Currie (8) and Connor Mason (senior)
Art awards: Jaedyn Neufeld (7), Brielle Goss (8), Shayla Griffin (10), Carter Kissick (20) and Jaelynn Varty (30/31)
Spanish awards: Jami Farnsworth (9), Baylee Shandler-West (10) and Hannah Grimwood (20)
Outdoor Education 9 award: Sienna Bowker
Psychology 20 award: Hunter Virostek
