Following Your Dreams

Each year we say goodbye to a great group of grads and herald in the next crop of grade 8's.  One of the things we emphasize with our incoming students is to get involved in school activities, whether it be music, drama, sports or other school groups.  The research is clear that student achievement is positively affected by participation in school activities. This is due to the connections students make with their peers, teachers, coaches, and sponsors, as well as the collaborative skills they develop through the team work it takes to accomplish a goal as a unit.

One of the highlights for us is often the visits or communication we receive from past students who are out in the real world pursuing their passions.  Not only do we have past students excelling in a variety of careers but we have some students that have gone on to pursue sport at a more elite level.  Just recently, we have received feedback from a few of our recent grads who are now in different corners of the country each pursuing their own athletic dream.

Tanner Kopan, who graduated last year (June 2011), is now attending Westminster College in Utah taking Business Management and playing varsity golf, currently ranked #2 on the team with an average scoring round of 75.

Tanner teeing off on the US College circuit

Tanner felt well prepared heading off to school and is doing well in his classes.  Tanner recognized the support he received from both GFSS and the Christina Lake Golf Club in helping him achieve his goal.  His advice for GFSS graduating students is to pursue schooling and experience the world outside of Grand Forks.

2010 grad Ashley Christman is also living her dream. Ashley, a sophomore, was awarded a full scholarship playing volleyball for the University of Idaho Vandals in NCAA Division 1, with the team currently ranked 3rd in the Western Athletic Conference.

 

(Photos taken by Zach Edwards)

Ashley played volleyball at GFSS from grade 8-12 and also honed her skills while playing for Kelowna's Elite club, Team BC, and the U16 Team Canada Prospects.  Ashley is working towards her science degree which takes a lot of commitment balancing both her academic and athletic endeavors. 

A third former grad who we recently heard from is 2011 grad Maya Wold.  After playing basketball for the Wolves from grade 8-12, Maya is currently a member of the Dalhousie Women's Tigers basketball team as a red-shirt freshman.  Maya is in her first year of sciences at Dal and spending many hours a week going to class and attending practices.  Maya is finding university athletics a jump up in intensity but is loving every minute of it.  Maya is learning a lot and hopes to make the full playing squad next year as a sophomore.

As you can see, even a small town like Grand Forks can produce it's fair share of elite athletes which is a testament not only to their coaches, but their parents who made countless sacrifices to give their children the opportunities to develop their passions and skills.

Hats off to all those who had a part in making these dreams comes true.....Go Wolves Go!