Congratulations go out to eight dedicated recipients of this year’s Horizon Central Athletic Association Recognition Awards. The HCAA recognizes the varied contributions of the eight individuals for the immeasurable, valuable, and selfless service provided to students and student-athletes in their own communities and in the association. In a recognition series, we’ll meet a pair of them each day. 

Drew Ross (Englefeld School)  

Drew Ross has a deep commitment to the students and staff of Englefeld School, and demonstrates this commitment in many ways.  

Drew spends countless hours after school hours on behalf of the student-athletes. For home tournaments, he plans all aspects including breakfast for the visiting team and staying overnight in the school to ensure that everything runs smoothly. He spends many weekends away with Englefeld School teams.  

Drew's coaching is exemplary. His quiet, respectful demeanor sets a great example for the student-athletes. He believes in creating a team that exemplifies respect, loyalty, and fairness. His senior boys volleyball team recently won the SHSAA Sportsmanship Award, Drew also manages the intramural scheduling in the school. He is almost always in the gym with the students during noon hour intramurals, often participating with the students or officiating. He is also extremely motivated in planning high school sporting excursions every year, including downhill skiing excursions as far away as Banff. 

James Holowaty (Wadena Composite School)  

James Holowaty is a graduate of Wadena Composite School. James moved back home to Wadena a number of years ago and immediately took on a number of extracurricular activities. He spends his entire school year coaching various sports in school as well as in the community, including volleyball, badminton, cross-country, and track. James is always willing to fill up his weekends, travelling with students to tournaments across the province, and doing his very best to ensure that those students not only improve their skills, but enjoy their time in sport. In the last few years, James has done a commendable job with the girls volleyball program as well as helping out with any level of badminton that the school needed. He is also a role model to students as he continues with Wadena Composite’s outdoor education program and also spends numerous hours on fitness programs for students. Within the community, James has spent a huge amount of his time coaching hockey and softball as well as being president of Wadena Minor Sports. Regardless of the season, James can always be found near sport and always tries his best to make sure sport is a positive experience for all students and participants. 

Stay tuned for more visits with the honoured notables of the HCAA on DiscoverHumboldt.com.  

Content provided by HCAA.