Wood River High School saluted its "Best of the Best," during the 2007 Bob Shay Most Inspirational awards banquet Monday night in the commons area of the high school.
Top Wood River students in extracurricular activities received accolades and plaques. Judged by a vote of coaches as "Most Outstanding Senior Athletes," for 2006-07 were Ashley Rendahl and Cory Rutkowski.
This was the 10th year that Wood River has honored its three-activity lettermen. Singled out were Samantha Engel, Dani Stone, Tasha Karst, Collin Hand, Erik Jacobson, Ashley Rendahl, Hannah Gove, Matt Libert, Cory Rutkowski, Tess Dahlgren, Joe Zeman, Sierra Lee, Alex Lindbloom and Michael Brunker.
The presentation of Allan Lee Patterson Memorial Awards to two outstanding senior students was another highlight of Monday's program.
Selected by the Wood River coaching staff, the Patterson honors were given for the 30th time in memory of Hailey's Allan Patterson, a 1975 Wood River graduate and talented alpine skier who died in 1977.
This year's Allan Patterson winners were Patricia McLaughlin and Jordan Vert.
U.S. Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete awards were presented to Micah Floyd and Tess Dahlgren. Army Reserve Scholar/Athlete honors for the 2006-07 school year went to Kaitlin Gasenica and Taylor Sundali.
Tess Dahlgren earned the Rose Bergin Memorial Award. It was given for the 27th time to the Wolverine girl who possesses the qualities of Bergin, a 1977 WRHS graduate and runner who died of cancer.
The second annual Monte Brothwell Award honoring the noted Bellevue runner and 1972 state cross-country champion for Wood River who has completed 46 marathons was presented to Joe Zeman.
Given the Wolverine Award were Casey Vegwert, Whitney DeBree, Ellen Ard, Jordan Scanlon, Chris Chapman, Travis Beckman and Corbin Miniard.
Former assistant boys' basketball coach Jim Boatwright announced David Pinkard as the recipient of the first $500 Dan Boatwright Scholarship, presented in memory of Jim's 25-year-old son who died last year.
Bob Shay "Most Inspirational" awards were presented to athletes in each of the school's varsity sports and to participants in activities like drama, cheerleading and band.
The awards, once called Rick Hawkes Memorial, were given for the 18th time in honor of coach Shay.
Shay "Inspirational" awards went to:
- Fall sports—Angela Coleman in volleyball; Ashley Rendahl and Cole Wells in cross country; Ross Parsons in boys' soccer; Danielle Smith in girls' soccer; and Jeff Conover in football.
- Winter sports—Ross Parsons in boys' basketball; Lauren Morgenthaler in girls' basketball; and Jordan Vert for a second year in wrestling.
- Spring sports—Micah Floyd in boys' track; Ashley Rendahl for a second year in girls' track; Whitney DeBree for a second year and R.J. Forgeon in tennis; Drew Anderson in baseball; Chance McCroskey in golf; and Angela Coleman in softball.
- Other activities—Janette Estana in cheerleading; Tawni Padilla in speech; and Matt Lichtenberg in debate; Adriana Maniere and Scott Noel in drama; Michael Ward and Lauren Williamson in band; Patricia McLaughlin and Joe Zeman for a second year in choir; and Travis Job and Brianna Padilla in orchestra.
Special mention was given to Mark Estribillo for his upcoming trip to Wichita, Kan. for the Lincoln-Douglas debate in the National Forensics League tournament.
In addition, Hemingway Elementary School Principal Don Haisley received the 2006 Speech Arts Contributor of the Year honor that comes with a cash award to his school.
Presented for the 19th time was the "Shay Cup," which goes to a Wood River coach or advisor in Bob Shay's name. This year's winner was football coach Mike Glenn.
