Awards Banquet

Calvary-Calumet celebrated the fall sports last night with a banquet at Griffith Baptist. Mr. Blakely opened with prayer, and then we enjoyed a delicious (and more vegetable-intensive than last year) pot-luck dinner.

Coach Kelsey Boss opened up the award part of the evening with recognition of the junior high teams. After she thanked all the people that helped her in her first year of coaching, she said something about everyone that was on the team. Following this, she presented her awards. Four awards were given; first, best server went to Cassidy Schaap; next, best setter, Amanda Knight; best hitter (one of two moving up to JV next year),Rebecca Thompson, and fourth, hustle award to Taylor Stas. Taylor will not be returning as a player next year, but will serve as the JH team manager. Taylor received her award because of her positive attitude and spirit of encouragement that she displayed all season.

Mr. Blakely, in the absence of Coach Brian, presented the soccer awards. Three coach's awards were given; Tyler Ballah, Matthew Leo and Joseph Sahulcik were the receipients. The MVP went to Tim Young, the only senior on the team.

Coach Carr then went up to review the JV season. She first thanked everyone that had anything remotely to do with anything about the volleyball teams. I mean, everyone. Specifics about the JV team followed. She said that the final record was 14-2, which was the best record JV ever had. (I have the JV record at 15-2-1; we're still working on who is right.) She presented awards to both the A and B teams. For the B team, Jenna Alderden received the hustle award, Nikki Knight received the most spirited award, and Anna "Chipper" Choate was given the most improved award. Somewhat different awards were given to the A team. Cassie Ballah received the most improved trophy, Ally Rohn won the best defensive player award, Jessica Nealy was named best offensive player and Emily Eizenga received the coach's award.

Three seniors were recognized in the next part of the evening's festivities. Those recognized were Amy Broadbent, Kyliah Buckner and Elizabeth Short. The tributes written by the parents were read by Mrs. Baessler and were very touching.

Coach Carr then returned to the podiun for the varsity volleyball presentation. It was a successful season, but left those connected with the team a feeling of "what might have been", considering all the injuries and sicknesses during the year. The following awards were given: Rachel Eizenga, most improved; Faith Rohn, MVP; Elizabeth Short, coach's award; and Amy Broadbent, Christian character award. The award to Amy brought the moment we all were waiting for, which of course was tear flowage from Coach Carr. Seriously, Coach talked about Amy's deep love of the Lord with which she blessed all those around her, especially her teammates.

I have only one more season in which I will have a child involved with Calvary-Calumet sports. I wish there were a lot more.