Coach and art teacher Troy Smith also thanked as he takes job in Carleton Place
Kelsey Smith
Nation Valley News
CHESTERVILLE — The school year is coming to an close, and that means the end of school sports as well.
Yesterday, North Dundas District High School (NDDHS) held its annual Athletic Awards Banquet.
Cheryl Williams hosted the event as the master of ceremonies and was also the main organizer of the ceremony.
Awards were handed out for team MVPs and top male and female athlete of the year for each grade.
Top Male/Female Athletes:
Grade 9 — Curtis Bell, Olivia Salmon
Grade 10 — Ian Koch, Grace Cave
Grade 11 — Jarrett Williams, Shayna Vandenheem
Grade 12 — Cyrill Jaquemet, Jessi Zandbelt
The team MVPs were named for each sport and team:
Cross Country: Cole McCooeye, Fabienne Puenter
Golf: Patrick Norris
Girls Rugby: Lynette Klein-Boonschate and Mallory Hutchinson
15’s Rugby: Jessi Zandbelt
Jr Boys Volleyball: Ian Koch
Sr Boys Volleyball: Jarrett Williams and Cyrill Jaquemet

Troy Smith hands Jarrett Williams his MVP award for Sr. Boys Volleyball. Smith photo, Nation Valley News

Cheryl Williams presents Cyrill Jaquemet with his MVP award for Sr. Boys Volleyball. Smith photo, Nation Valley News
Jr. Girls Volleyball: Grace Cave
Sr. Girls Volleyball: Maddie Henderson and Brooke Stewart
Midget Girls Basketball: Hailey Dubue
Jr. Girls Basketball: Grace Cave
Sr. Girls Basketball: Brooke Stewart
Jr & Sr. Boys Basketball: Ian Koch
Girls Hockey: Shayna Vandenheem and Jessi Zandbelt
Boys Hockey: Aaron Turcotte
Curling: Matthew Roach
Figure Skating: Alexis Engwerda
Special recognition was given to: Erin Wheeler
Badminton: Katherine Steele and Jarrett Williams
Archery: Payton Halpenny and Logan Billings
Jr. Boys Soccer: Peter Xidias
Sr. Boys Soccer: Aaron Turcott
Track & Field: female Jamie Quinton and males Zach Hamilton, Liam Antille, Jack Ciavaglia, and Curtis Bell
There were also two special awards handed out, honouring two very deserving students. Brooke Stewart was recognized with the Student Contributing the Most Award for her dedicated work both as a coach for the girls basketball teams as well as her volunteering before and after various school events.
The Karen Moffat award is given to a student who has shown immense determination and perseverance. This year’s recipient was Fabienne Puentner who experienced two big crashes during tournaments this year. Both times she injured her legs and was bleeding but somehow still managed to complete both of her races.
In other news from the event, thanks were expressed to Troy Smith for his 19 years of teaching and coaching at NDDHS.
Bell spoke on behalf of students and faculty and wished him the best of luck. “I’m sad to see him leave. It’s hard to run extra curricular activities without coaches like Mr. Smith.” said Bell.
Students applauded the outgoing art teacher encouraged him to do a “speech … speech … speech!”
He explained that over the years as a coach, specifically for lacrosse and hockey, he was amazed how many students he taught that had “never held a lacrosse stick before.”

Seen in photo above: Troy Smith saying giving thanks and goodbyes to students, and his colleagues after 19 years at NDDHS. Smith photo, Nation Valley News
He and his North Dundas boys hockey team lost to Seaway at this year’s Dundas Cup, and he was undoubtedly sore on that subject. With that in mind he wrapped up his thank-you speech by stating, “I know that that cup is coming home! I just know it!”
The Orleans resident will be missed as he heads off to Carleton Place High School to teach and coach in September.
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