The Owen Sound District Secondary School (OSDSS) Leadership class, under the guidance of their dedicated teacher Katie Ferguson, has been busy this year raising funds through sporting events.
Grade 7/8 Volleyball Tournament
On Sunday, November 24, the Leadership class hosted their third annual Grade 7/8 Wolves Invitational Volleyball Tournament. Teams were invited from across Bluewater District School Board with attendees coming from as far away as John Diefenbaker Senior School in Hanover and Beaver Valley Community School in Thornbury, to as close as Hillcrest Elementary School in Owen Sound!
The event was organized by Leadership students Tom Mackay, Alex Harris, Parker Davis, and co-op student Ben Clark. Teacher and volleyball coach at OSDSS Michael Harris (who is also Alex's father and Ben's uncle) assisted with the event.
As in previous years, the organizers recruited volunteers to line the games, score keep, and officiate. Other volunteers were also found to sell pizza, beverages, and snacks. A local business was extremely generous in donating coffee and pastries for all the student volunteers. It was amazing to see so many teenagers dedicate their Sunday, from 7:00 a.m. until after 5:00 p.m., to help run the event. It was also wonderful to welcome so many Grade 7 and 8 students to OSDSS. In addition to the competition, the opportunity provided these students with some invaluable insight into secondary school life.
Seven boys' teams and eight girls' teams were part of the competition with the Hillcrest Elementary girls' team successfully defending their championship from last year. A new boys' team came out on top with Saugeen District Senior School taking home first place.
The plaques awarded to the winning teams were made by OSDSS teacher Owen Ferguson's Construction class with names etched by teacher Gregg Mackay's Tech Design students, also from OSDSS.
Thanks to the Leadership class, over $2,000 was raised at the event for OSDSS athletics.
HockeyFest
The Leadership class also held a chuck-a-puck fundraiser for a local charity as part of the boys' and girls' games on Thursday, November 14 during HockeyFest in Owen Sound.
To fulfill the students' goal of keeping it local while benefiting children, $1,000 was raised in support of the Women and Child Care Unit at Brightshores Health System. Several local business sponsors also assisted by generously donating prizes to support the initiative.
Local elementary schools were invited to attend and filled most of the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre. Prior to the event, the Leadership students sold and delivered pucks to the schools for the puck toss.
The event included games and activities, face paint, the OSDSS Wolves' mascot, and photo booth opportunities for the elementary students. Pre-made signs were available for the elementary students to hold during the game.
The ceremonial puck drop for the girls' game was handled by retired OSDSS hockey coaches and teachers Ted Carr and Patty Stevens. Heather Christie, Manager of the Women and Child Care Unit at Brightshores, initiated the puck drop for the boys' game.
The National Anthem was performed by the choir from St. Mary's High School for the girls' game, while Levi Wathke, OSDSS Student Council Co-President sang it for the boys' game.
When all was said and done, the girls' team from OSDSS defeated St. Mary's 13-1. The OSDSS boys also won their game against St. Mary's 4-0.
The Leadership class received a lot of positive feedback from the elementary school teachers, who thought it was a great opportunity to build community in Owen Sound and raise money for a very worthy cause.
Local radio celebrity and sportscaster Fred Wallace described the school hockey games as a marquis event for HockeyFest, noting that the energy and volume in the Bayshore are unmatched!