Jacob Mate top CSHSAA male athlete , Governor General's academic medalist

It has been a memorable end to high school for St. Timonthy High graduate Jacob Mate.

The Class of 2021 student was recognized with numerous awards for academics, athletics, and leadership during the Thunder Awards Celebration at the St. Timothy High School on June 16.

Just days before this, he became the first St. Timothy High student to be awarded John Mayell Memorial Award as the outstanding male athlete in the entire Calgary Senior High School Athletic Association, as selected by the Calgary Booster Club.

What occurred at the school's virtual awards ceremony caught Jacob by surprise.

"I couldn't believe it, honestly," he says. "It was a huge shock. I was caught completely off guard, and I had a feeling of pure shock and gratitude."

During the high school's Thunder Awards Celebration, Jacob was awarded the Governor General's Academic Medal for having the highest average in the graduating class. He also received the Inter Pipeline Fund Discovery Scholarship for post-secondary studies in engineering.

Jacob was named Student of the Year and received both the Global Citizenship Award and Thunder Ministry Award.

St. Timothy principal Rhonda Wolske explains the Global Citizenship Award is awarded to the student who works to make our world a better place, someone who goes quietly about their day making a positive difference, and does the little things to make the world a better place.

The Thunder Ministry Award is presented to the grade 12 student who is dedicated to the school and community.

"Jacob definitely exemplifies all of that. He's such a well-rounded person who supports his community, parish, and school in a wide variety of supportive endeavors," says Wolske.

"He's such a humble person. He just takes everything in stride and will continue to do what he does best. He's just such a thoughtful young man who really puts others before him all the time."

"We are so very proud of Jacob."

Jacob with his John Mayell Memorial Award.  (Photo courtesy of the Mate family)

Jacob was the school's recipient of the LeRoy Pelletier Award as the school's outstanding graduating male athlete. He was a member of the school's cross-country, track and field, swimming, and basketball teams.

He was also one of the 10 students awarded a Thunder Gold Achievement Award.

Jacob says the sense of community is strong at St. Tim's. He believes there are advantages to attending the smallest high school in Cochrane.

"I view that as a huge positive because it allows for more of a community feeling, and you're tightly knit with everybody else. You know and are familiar with everyone else, and it makes it that much harder to leave."

When he officially graduates this Friday, he'll be leaving with enough memories to last a lifetime.

He speaks highly of all of the opportunities he was provided, from band with Kevin McGregor to the multiple sports he enjoyed.

"Then all the exposure that I got to the awesome teachers at St. Tim's, and all the cool relationships I've  developed with my teachers and my peers."

Outside of St. Tim's, he was a member of the St. Francis Browns football team after playing minor football here and with the Airdrie Raiders. 

He has long studied with Trinity Taekwon-Do and holds a second-degree black belt. He's also been assisting with instruction and coaching for the last five to six years.

Jacob has committed to the U of C Dinos football team and already has had a taste of what's in store.

"I'm ecstatic to have the opportunity to play with the U of C program. I've already begun training with them a little bit, and I've already had a taste of what's to come with the awesome coaching."

With his many years of high-level football, he comes to the Dinos already knowing many of his teammates and appreciates the team's sense of community involvement and volunteerism.

"Even after my first few sessions there, I can already feel a sense of family on the team."

He'll be kept busy with studies and football, but hopes to be able to continue some of his many extra-curricular activities, like Tae Taekwon-Do.

He holds John Mayall and the award named in his honour in high regard.  John Mayall is credited with advancing high school athletics in Calgary and is a member of the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame.

"To be granted this award, as well as being granted the opportunity to be in the running for this award, I was deeply honoured. I was speechless. I am super grateful to everyone who made it possible."

Travis Cummings is a coach at St. Timothy and spoke highly of Jacob and his accomplishments.

"He is one of the most incredible students to coach and to teach, and he’s earned everything he has received," says Cummings. "With Jacob, what you see is what you get."

Jacob gets the final words.

"I just want to give one more big shout-out to all the teachers at St. Tim's and all my coaches over the years who've really helped me do my best, and to my parents, who have done everything behind the scenes to make sure I have everything I need."