Living Sky's best and brightest were applauded at the 2010 Student Hall of Fame Celebration June 10.
Awards were presented to students in Grade 9 to 12 who excelled in areas such as academics, art and culture, athletics and leadership.
Darren McKee, the assistant deputy minister of education, provided the keynote address, in which he applauded both parents and school staff for their part in the students' success.
"You have stayed true to your vision: 'Grow without limits, learning for all,' and created an environment where students excel," he said.
McKee encouraged the award recipients to follow their dreams, and to explore the opportunities made apparent by fellow Saskatchewanites. He pointed to the example set by the athletes who competed in the Vancouver Olympics, innovative entrepreneurs and one Saskatoon student in particular, a 14-year-old who became the youngest winner of a national biotech competition this spring for her work on genetic markers in crop-destroying fungi.
"Tonight's inductees are amazing role models, showing their peers the value of hard work, commitment and sacrifice," said McKee.
"I am certain these inductees, as future leaders, can follow in the footsteps of others in our province who have excelled."
One of the inductees, Grade 11 North Battleford Comprehensive High School student Jarett Prescesky, earned his award for winning gold in the Skills Canada welding competition.
The 17-year-old plans to attend the national competition again next year, and credits his success to welding instructor, Gerald Nickel.
This is the fourth time Nickel has accompanied a student to Skills Canada competition, a testament to his dedication to his pupils.
"When I get kids that excel like this, I just want to teach them as much as I can," said Nickel.
Over 600 awards were presented to students in the Living Sky Division, which some thought was too many.
Quinn McKee, a Leoville Central School student who was awarded for his performance in track and field, badminton and volleyball, said the sheer number of awards given out cheapened their value.
"I think they award things that don't really need to be awarded, like teams winning districts or just making it to regionals," said McKee.
Students inducted with 'Great Distinction.'
Cut Knife High School
Kendra Laing, Aleah Anseth, Brenna Tyler, Jenna Bertoia, Rachel Rosette, Erika O'Donnell, Katlin Kelly, Tori Alexander, Jessica Dupuis, Taylor Braun, Sabrina Veikle
Hafford Central School
Sarah Jones, Rebekah Lesko, Candace Michalenko, Melanie Hawrysh
Heritage Christian School
Amy Klippenstein
Kerrobert Composite School
Michael Bazin, Tory Shynkaruk, Travis Turnbull
Leoville Central School
Jon Matzner, Nick Jarvis, Quinn McKee
Luseland School
Johann Wentzel
Macklin School
Janessa Stang
Maymont Central School
Justin Gillatt, Lukas Smith, Earl Kieper, Kelsey Lovenuk, Chad Bernier, Gayln Prescesky, John McIntosh, Kaitlyn Dubyk, Sarah Wenner, Chase Seargeant, Gregory Maxwell, Tell Kieper, Ryan Rowe, Derek Clayton, Jordan Manson, Taylor Reiley
McLurg High School
Joel Karstens, Kerstin Jensen, Janelle Henderson, Lee Latimer, Bryna Jaindl, Brady Greenwald, Jillian Shepherd, Kennedy Glassford, Adriana Hoffman, Andria Karstens, Brooke Suchan, Taylor Mann, Chantel Johnson, Janel Miller, Jill Gruber, Rebecca Schwebius, Brandyn Lee Schell, Courtney Bachman, Jocelyn Thomas, Reina Leith, Stefanie Schell, Joel Karstens, Kerstin Jensen
Medstead Central School
Brandon Lybeck, Linda Huard, Courtney Berg, David Epp, Kirsten Jones, Scott Seidle
North Battleford Comprehensive High School
Shandi Millhouse, Michael Johnson, Tricia Florence, Rayden Saunders, Robert Gaetz, Jordan Wuttunee, Richard Melnechuk, Samuel Stilborn, Adam Wuttunee, Brayden Silbernagel, Carson Whyte, Dustin Grosjean, Zachary Ironstand, Jordan Carriere, Geoff Coupal, Landon Albert, Matthew Fedler, Jarett Prescesky, Bradley Reimer, Corey Farrell, Nicole Erikson, Randy Fehr
Spiritwood High School
Michael van Dyke, Ashley Poulin, Nicholas Allard
Unity Composite High School
Jessica Gerein, Patricia Stephenson, Alixandra Knowles, Alysha Ehnisz, Janelle Kuhn, Alison Ryan, Jason Bowey
