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The Â鶹´«Ã½Èë¿Ú (CSSHL) is excited to announce the four winners of the Student-Athlete of the Month Award for March: Ìý

For the 2024/25 season the CSSHL is proud to introduce the Student-Athlete of the Month Award for the four different CSSHL divisions/age brackets: Eastern, West Female, West U18 Male (U18 Prep, U17 Prep, U17) and West U15 Male (U15 Prep and U15) .

This award is aimed at recognizing the student-athletes within the CSSHL and acknowledges their hard work, dedication, commitment, leadership, academics and community impact.

We would like to congratulate these four student-athletes, who were all nominated by their programs, for their hard work in the month of March.

East Division – Pasquale Presti, Selwyn House School

“You can’t spell Prestige without Presti! (Taken from a social media post of a recent CSSHL game when Presti scored a ridiculously amazing goal.)

Pasquale is equally impressive off the ice as he is on the ice. His drive, motivation, work ethic, camaraderie, team spirit, and determination are evident in everything he does. He is a three-sport varsity athlete, with soccer, hockey, and baseball rounding out his Grade 12 year. In addition to his athletic achievements, he is also an accomplished actor, recently playing two lead characters in the school play “10 Ways to Screw Up Your College Interview”. His humour and physical comedy left the audience in stitches. This play ended six years of noteworthy theatre performances at Selwyn for Pasquale.

From an academic perspective, Pasquale is taking eight advanced and enriched courses in our most rigorous science stream. The college-level courses include Calculus, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Psychology, and English. His Grade 12 overall average is 97.5 %, with 99% in Pre-Cal, Calculus, Chemistry and Biology. He also produced a documentary on his family and the family-owned and operated Presti Â鶹´«Ã½Èë¿Ús and Developments for English class. He created this documentary with extreme thought and care, going beyond the expectations of the class. His academic results are exceptional, considering the time devoted to hockey training and travel (mainly when the team had several road trips in January and February, adding up to over three weeks away from school).

Although not an off-ice example, it is essential to highlight Selwyn’s playoff run, finishing second overall. The team played five games in five days while still attending school and meeting all their academic requirements. Pasquale always stayed on top of his work (throughout the season) and was instrumental in the playoff run, encouraging teammates and always giving his all.

In addition to academics, athletics, and extracurricular activities, Pasquale has completed applications to US and Canadian institutions, primarily for architecture programs. He diligently worked on his portfolio independently, creating 10 different pieces using different mediums to highlight his creative and technical skills. So far, this talent and dedication have awarded him admission to six prestigious schools, with merit scholarships totalling $370000 to date (the most awarded to a current grade 12 student).

While we do not rank students at Selwyn House, Pasquale is exceptional. He would place at the top of his class based on his academic performance, the rigor of his course selections, and his outstanding commitment to academics, extracurricular activities, athletics and citizenship.”

West Female Division – McKayla Romano, Pilot Mound Hockey Academy

“McKayla Romano embodies the qualities of a true student-athlete, excelling both on and off the ice. As a dedicated member of the Pilot Mound Hockey Academy, McKayla has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to her academic pursuits, maintaining an impressive GPA while balancing the rigorous demands of her sport. Her leadership skills shine through in the classroom, where she actively participates in group projects, often taking the initiative to guide her peers and ensure their collective success.

Beyond her academic achievements, McKayla is deeply involved in community service. She volunteers with our local Can-Skate program, showcasing her compassion and dedication to giving back. In the dressing room, McKayla’s positive attitude and unwavering support for her teammates make her an invaluable presence, fostering a sense of unity and camaraderie.

McKayla’s excellence, hard work, and commitment in all aspects of her life make her truly deserving of this recognition. Her dedication to her studies, her leadership qualities, and her community involvement exemplify the values we strive to instill in our student-athletes.”

West Male U15 Division – Grayson Holmes, Okanagan Hockey Academy

“It is with great enthusiasm that we nominate Grayson Holmes for the CSSHL U15 Student of the Month. Grayson has exemplified outstanding leadership, dedication, and sportsmanship throughout this season, both on and off the ice.

As a key player on the OHA U15 team, Grayson has consistently demonstrated a positive and supportive attitude that has earned him the admiration and respect of his teammates. His leadership goes beyond skill on the ice – he has been a mentor, motivator, and friend to his peers. Grayson’s ability to keep the team morale high and foster an inclusive and encouraging environment has been a crucial part of the team’s success. His teammates fully support him and appreciate the positive impact he has on their growth, not just as players but as individuals.

In addition to his success in hockey, Grayson has expanded his horizons by joining the Penticton High School golf team this spring. His commitment to balancing both his academic and athletic pursuits, while remaining actively involved in school events and tournaments, showcases his well-rounded character and drive. Grayson’s ability to manage his time effectively, maintain high performance in both hockey and golf, and contribute to his community is truly commendable.

Grayson Holmes is a prime example of what it means to be a student-athlete. His unwavering commitment, leadership, and positive influence both in sports and at school make him a deserving candidate for the CSSHL U15 Student of the Month award.

We are proud to nominate him and look forward to seeing his continued success.”

West Male U18 Division – Mason Alexander, RHA Kelowna

“This is Mason Alexander’s first year at RINK Hockey Academy Kelowna, currently playing on the U17 team while affiliating with U17 Prep. Mason is the epitome of a CSSHL Student- Athlete, consistently exemplifying hard work both on and off the ice.

With an unwavering dedication to his academics, he leads the charge, maintaining an impressive 95% grade point average. Mason’s great attitude and infectious smile are always present, uplifting those around him. Whether he’s on the ice or volunteering at the local food bank, he’s always the first to step up. His commitment to improvement is evident every single day, as he continues to push himself to be the best version of himself in all areas of life.

All in all, Mason has a big heart and would go above and beyond for his teammates and anyone in need, always putting others first.”