Last week over 100 students were honoured during an awards assembly at Bow Valley High School.

Scholarships, bursaries, top course achievements, Academic All-stars (honour roll both semesters), and Blaze Award winners (highest grade overall in each grade) were recognized and celebrated.

RVS School Trustee for Ward 5, Fiona Gilbert was proud to be part of the celebration. "It's a big accomplishment for the students to have the highest average at their level as it means they are well rounded academic students, not just smart in one subject area, but all."

Sonja Werner now in grade 12, received the Blaze award for her high academic average in grade 11. Werner shares all raw course numbers are run through a computer to determine the highest average and she was thrilled to find out she won. As she transitions into post-secondary next year, she says this award definitely helps. "I think it helps to build confidence, to have that recognition going into university and to know you are good and going to succeed in the future." Werner will take Honours Bio-Chemistry at the U of C next year and is looking forward to pursuing a career in research science.

Both Matthew Kelly and Zoe Ouimette won a Blaze award as they tied for highest average in grade 10. Kelly was not expecting to win, "I definitely didn't expect to win it but I was very pleased that I did. It's really nice to be recognized for the work I put in last year." Not viewing the award as winning a competition, the only competition, Kelly shares is within yourself. "I am doing it all for myself, I am doing it for me and not to impress other people." 

Ouimette who found out she won while attending a youth parliament in Winnipeg. "I landed and got a text, and I thought they made a mistake." Once over the shock, she shares it personally feels good and takes pride in the fact that she did so well. Having a passion for school, it is not a hardship for her to study hard. "I read a lot, it is important to me so I put work into it." Looking toward the future, Ouimette, is hoping to head back to Quebec to obtain a dual degree. 

With so many students being recognized, Kelly, feels the school and teachers should also take great pride in knowing they are doing a great job for the students.