McAdam – “Just play. Have fun. Enjoy the game.”
The Michael Jordan quote was included in the programs handed out at the annual McAdam High School Awards Banquet at the McAdam Lions Club last Thursday.
The quote rang true, as the many accomplishments of high school and middle school students were celebrated at the well attended banquet.
Among the final awards presented were the High School Female Athlete of the year, which went to co-recipients Ashley Little and Ceirra Gardner, while Cameron Messer was selected to receive the High School Male Athlete of the year.
Speaking with the three seniors and high school athlete of the year recipients, they spoke of their cherished time as a McAdam High Warrior.
Q: What sports do you play?
Little: I play senior basketball, soccer, volleyball, badminton, and track and field.
Gardner: Soccer, basketball, volleyball, badminton, and track and field.
Messer: Basketball, soccer, and volleyball.
Q: How did you guys first become involved in athletics?
Little: Probably in Grade 6.
Gardner: Yeah, in Grade 6 when we first moved up to the high school.
Messer: Grade 5 or 6.
Q: Was it something you guys wanted to do?
Little: Yeah, it’s a really big thing at our school to be involved in mainly basketball. There was kind of a lot of opportunity at our school, but not as much as a big school would have. We did have a mini rec department program in elementary school and that kind of led up into middle school. So we kinda did know what it was.
Messer: Not much else to do around here either but play basketball.
Q: In your time in athletics, what is the most valuable lesson that you have learned?
Gardner: Teamwork, definitely. Teamwork’s the most important thing you can have to do anything, really. It just helps out so much.
Little: If you can’t rely on your team, then you can’t really do a whole lot without them.
Messer: Same thing as they said (smiles).
Q: If you could leave one message behind to your juniors, what would it be, and why?
Cameron: Listen to your coach, and just play your hardest. It’s all you can do.
Gardner: Play your hardest, and if there’s anything bothering you, don’t let that get in the way of your dreams. Don’t let anyone else stop you, and believe that you can do whatever you want.
Little: Don’t let anyone or anything get you down. Even though times might be hard, you can still fight through it and play your hardest every game.
Q: Thinking back over your athletics career, is there a certain highlight to you that sticks out as being particularly memorable?
Messer: Harbour Station, 2016. (The McAdam High Warriors varsity boys’ basketball team advanced to the provincial final at Harbour Station with fellow A division southern conference rival, the Harvey Lakers. After the Warriors led the Lakers by 20 in the third quarter, the Lakers notched a comeback to defeat the Warriors by two.)
Little: Probably the highlight for my high school career was getting the Fairplay banner, because I try really hard to be nice to the people on the court. I know you’re supposed to be aggressive, but I try to get my team to be a little more nice. (The McAdam High Warriors varsity girls’ basketball team was awarded the NBIAA Fairplay banner this year. The banner is awarded to a team that exemplifies good basketball, good sportsmanship, and fair play; basketball played with enthusiasm, and passion, but with respect for the game as well as the opponent. The Warriors were presented with the banner during halftime of the A division provincial final at Harbour Station.)
Q: What are your plans for next year?
Little: I’m going to UNBSJ to take business.
Gardner: I’m going to St. Thomas University to get my Bachelor of Arts degree.
Messer: I’m going to work.
Q: What are some things as a student at McAdam High that you feel you’re going to take with you as you move on next year?
Little: Definitely being the small fish in the big pond. It’s really taught me to step up my game and give it all to be the best you can be.
Gardner: I would say that just ‘cause we’re from a small town and we don’t have very many resources, that doesn’t mean we’re not as good as everyone else.
Complete list of McAdam High award winners
Major Award Winners
Friends of the Warriors
Carl Griffiths
NBIAA Provincial Basketball All Star
Riley Goodwin
Middle School Female Athlete of the Year
Shayna Voutt and Gabby Messer
Middle School Male Athlete of the Year
Jaxon Cleghorn and Jayden McGillicuddy
Senior Female Athlete of the Year
Ceirra Gardner and Ashley Little
Senior Male Athlete of the Year
Cameron Messer
Little M Winners – Students are awarded points for each academic, athletic, and activity participated in. Little M winners need a minimum of 100 points.
Jaxon Cleghorn 125
Shayna Voutt 144
Jayden McGillicuddy 157
Emily Little 194
Haley McIver 240
Brooke Godbout 243
Gabby Messer 298
Big M Winners – Need a minimum of 175 points.
Ceirra Gardner 219
Emily Squires 280
Ashley Little 404
This year’s Little and Big M recipients were announced at the McAdam High School Awards Banquet last Thursday at the McAdam Lions Club. Students are awarded points for each academics, athletics, and activities participated in. Little M winners need a minimum of 100 points, while Big M requires more than 175 points. Little M recipients are, back row, from left: Jaxon Cleghorn, Brooke Godvout, and Jayden McGillicuddy. Front row: Shayna Voutt, Emily Little, Gabby Messer, and Haley McIver. Missing from photo: Big M recipients Cierra Gardner, Emily Squires, and Ashley Little.
Cross Country
Coach’s Award – Ethan McGillicuddy, Shayna Voutt and Gabby Messer
Middle School Girls Soccer
MVP – Shayna Voutt
Coach’s Award – Gabby Messer
Most Improved – Hannah McIntyre
Middle School Boys Soccer
MVP – Malachi Gardner
Coach’s Award – Carter Scott
Most Improved – Curtis Russell
Senior Girls Soccer
Offensive MVP – Ceirra Gardner
Defensive MVP – Morgan Bigger
Rookie of the Year – Antonia Burdon
Middle School Badminton
(Boys) Coach’s Award – Malachi Gardner and Ethan McIntyre
(Girls) Coach’s Award – Faith Kitchen
(Girls) MVP- Gabby Messer
Middle School Girls Basketball
MVP – Shayna Voutt
Coach’s Award – Faith Kitchen
Rookie of the Year – Lacey Cleghorn
Middle School Boys Basketball
Co-MVP – Jaxon Cleghorn and Jayden McGillicuddy
Most Improved – Carter Scott
Senior Girls Basketball
MVP – Ceirra Gardner
Most Improved – Madison Cleghorn
Senior Boys Basketball
MVP – Cameron Messer
Most Improved – Porter Carson
Coach’s Award – Riley Goodwin
Badminton – No Awards
Middle School Girls Volleyball
Co-MVP- Haley McIver and Gabby Messer
Coach’s Award – Emily Little
Senior Girls Volleyball
MVP – Keira Astorino
Most Improved – Kara Cleghorn
Coach’s Award – Morgan Bigger
Track and Field
Coach’s Award – Morgan Bigger, Ashley Little and Ceirra Gardner