It may be cold outside, but it is heating up at MSS with athletics, and making a difference in local and global communities.
The girls’ volleyball season has officially started, with both teams attending a tournament in Sudbury from December 1-2. The Junior team this year consists of Mackenzie Cortes, Paige Vander Weerden, Madison Swihart, Abby Smith, Ayriell Nodecker, Jess Craig, Kyliegh Biederman, Reece Carter, Hailey Prior-McGillis, Ally Hall, Jasmine Clarke, Amber Wiwchar, Naomi Naokwegijig, managed by Lauren MacKay, and coached by Ms. Thirkill and Ms. Cheng.
The boys’ basketball team is ready to start their season. The senior team is being coached by Mr. Trudeau: Bryce Draper, Tyler Disley, Greg McGauley, Cordell White, Carter Stoneypoint, Maverick Bushey, Oha Cada, Chris Haner, Adam Goodfellow, Alex Martin, Maddy Madahbee, and Johnny Bushey. The Boys’ hockey team had a tournament in North Bay from December 1-2. The girls’ hockey team also had a tournament in London.
Thanks to Manitoulin and SHARE, a school will be built in Nicaragua. According to UNESCO, in Nicaragua the average person lives on less than $2 per day, are only able to attend school for less than 5 years, and many children are forced into child labour. Education is the number one combatant to fight poverty.
A huge cheer went out on Wednesday, November 29 from the MSS students and staff involved in SHARE (Students Helping All ‘Round Everywhere). Thanks to the generous silent auction contributions of Island businesses, including the Anchor Inn and Hotel, Avon, Borderline, Breakaway Sports, Dreamer’s Cove, Elliott’s Restaurant, Guardian Family, Island Jar, Jocelyn Kuntsi, Karlene Scott, Manitoulin Fragrance Company, Manitowaning Home Hardware, Manitowaning Loco Beanz, My Ol’ Blues, Nack’s, Napa, Rain Barrel, Robertson IDA, Trish Leeson, Turner’s, ‘Tween the Lakes Pork, and the many visitors who attended and bid on items at the MSS Christmas Craft Sale SHARE/Go-Green was able to make a huge $2,000 donation towards the construction of a school in Nicaragua on Giving Tuesday. This amount was multiplied 5X by an anonymous corporate sponsor, resulting in a total donation of $10,000. The students are discussing the possibility of travelling to Nicaragua on a service trip to participate in the actual construction of the school.
Now SHARE focuses its attention on the Christmas hampers on Manitoulin and the Brick-by-Brick Campaign to build a school in Tanzania. Businesses and individuals can sponsor a Brick for a toonie to help build a school in Tanzania; 5,000 bricks sponsored equals an actual school. Donations can be sent to Manitoulin Secondary School care of SHARE.
Three Fires Confederacy finished their clothing drive with a full bin. All of the donations will be given to families on Manitoulin who need help keeping warm this winter. The Shoebox Campaign is also taking place, and which ever class fills the most shoeboxes with toiletries, school supplies, and little toys, will get a free taco lunch from Three Fires.
Mr. Robinson took a group of students to Espanola for the cardboard boat races on November 28. There were 15 teams from Northern Ontario, competing for four spots at the provincial competition. The teams had two hours to build a cardboard boat out of two sheets of 4X8 cardboard and two rolls of duct tape. Jasen Millete, Quentis Wood, Nathan Janoki, and Alex Dawson, along with their videographers Tanner Golder and Mason McFarlane, will be moving onto provincials.
On November 29, a group of nine girls travelled to the Carpenters Union Training Facility in Azilda for a workshop on drywall installation. The girls got a “Sisters in the Brotherhood” t-shirt and other swag items. Hard hats, toe caps and safety glasses were provided, fully equipped tool belts were waiting and the girls learned how to properly install drywall. This included cutting out windows, plugs and pipes. Opportunities in the construction trades were highlighted as well as the urgent need for skilled labour.
Even though the winter weather hasn’t come yet, the MSS Mustangs are getting ready for the Christmas season by giving back to the community and representing Manitoulin. ‘Til next time, stay golden, Mustangs.
