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36 Stouffville Sun-Tribune | Thursday, June 23, 2016 | Rugby/hockey stars high school's top athletes BY MICHAEL HAYAKAWA mhayakawa@yrmg.com So what does it take to be an athlete of the year or garner a major athletics award at Stouffville District Secondary School? Jamie Hewitt said the studentathlete must have the total package. It's not just possessing the athletic ability on the field of play, said the school's physical education head. Just as important is how they perform in the classroom. In selecting this year's senior and junior male and female athletes of the year along with recipients of other major school awards, Hewitt said some tough decisions were made as to who were most deserving. "In some years, some studentathletes jump out at you and sometimes it's a close decision," he said. "This year though, it was a bit of both. There were some tough decisions in some instances because you're dealing with the best of the best." In unveiling this academic year's recipients, which were conducted during the school's athletic banquet last Thursday, Danny Shields was chosen as the senior male athlete of the year. A Grade 12 student, Shields served as captain of the Spartans' boys' seven's and 15s rugby squads. In between fall and spring rugby, he also played with the Spartans' varsity ice hockey team. Along with garnering that honour, Shields was a recipient of the Jim Rehill Award for sportsmanship. Named as the top senior female athlete of the year was Anna Horner. close votes The Grade 12 student played on the Spartans girls' seven's and 15s rugby team and was captain of the girls' varsity ice hockey team. Along with that honour, Horner was named the MVP in girls' rugby and ice hockey and was the recipient of the Morale and Physical Improvement Award. Hewitt was quick to note Horner's selection as the senior female athlete of the year was a unanimous selection by the teachers who voted. "There were a lot of good nominees, but Anna was unanimous. She's an excellent athlete," he said. In the junior male and female categories, Sam Atanakovich was given the top male honour. The Grade 10 student played seven's and 15s rugby and was a member of the boys' varsity ice hockey team. The junior female selection proved to be a bit more difficult as two recipients were awarded this year. Those included Alexa Feasby, a Grade 9 student, and Denise Laghayi, a Grade 10 student. Feasby was a member of the Spartans seven's and 15s rugby teams and played with the girls' ice hockey team. A black belt in taekwondo, Laghayi played with the junior girls' volleyball team. Other Jim Rehill Award recipients included Vanessa Mangos as the female selection. For Moral and Physical Improvement, David Dragoti was the male nominee. Named as the Sue Leroy Spartan Spirit Award winner, presented to the athlete who displayed the attributes of the former Spartans teacher and coach of 25 years, was Alycia Holt, a Grade 12 student Anna Horner and Danny Shields were named senior athletes of the year at Stouffville District Secondary School last Thursday. who was a member of the Spartans' cross-country team, and played volleyball and soccer. The Homestead Award recipients were Rea Abelido and Sajana Sivakumar, who served this past academic year as athletic council presidents. Up to 60% off Patio and BBQ Essentials Make your Summer Sizzle with WagJag.com/bbq Buy Online: 36% off $89 Buy Online: 38% off $249 Buy Online: 34% off $99 $89 FOR AN OUTSUNNY OUTDOOR 6' MANUAL AWNING -DEEP GREEN (A $139.99 VALUE) $249 FOR A 36" SQUARE FIRE PIT (A $399 VALUE) $99 FOR A STAINLESS STEEL SMOKER CHARCOAL BBQ (A $149 VALUE) Visit WagJag.com to check out more local services, products and travel deals. Brought to you by