The semester is winding down and students have been balancing extracurriculars and academics.
On Friday, January 20, the MSS boys’ and girls’ hockey teams hosted back to back games as a fundraiser to help their friend and teammate, Grade 12 student Cassandra Cristo, who is battling cancer. Admission was two dollars for students and five dollars for adults. NHL legend Reggie Leach dropped the puck to kick off the event for the MSS girls team versus the Lo-Ellen Park Knights at 5:30 pm. The girls played their hardest, unfortunately losing 1-5. At 7 pm the boys’ team played against the St. Benedict Bears. The boys played an intense game, tying the game 4-4. The event raised $6,000, and Lo-Ellen held a bake sale at their school and raised $100 to support Cassie. All the proceeds from the event went to the Cristo family.
The boys’ basketball game against Espanola on Tuesday, January 17 was lost by MSS, but the team had fun playing. On Thursday, January 19 the boys’ game against Blind River was cancelled and Blind River forfeited. The girls’ volleyball team was also on the road. They travelled to Espanola on January 18 for a regular season NSSSA tournament. The junior team won 3 out of their 4 matches. The girls lost to Elliot Lake but it was only by a few points in the 3rd set. Unfortunately, the senior team didn’t play as well as they had hoped. They are motivated to put in extra practice for the rest of the season.
The MSS curling teams competed at NSSSA in Espanola on Wednesday, January 18 and Thursday, January 19. The girls’ team competed very well and qualified for NOSSA in early March. The boys’ team played their best, but are done for the season. All extracurriculars are taking a two week break as students prepare for and take their final exams.
Manitoulin Secondary School is participating in the Royal Canadian Legion Public Speaking Contest. MSS students who are interested can enter in the Intermediate or Senior division and compete at the Gore Bay Legion on February 15. Public speaking is a good way to give young people an opportunity to develop confidence in public speaking, an important life skill. Students are allowed to choose their own topics for the contest. A three to five minute original speech is required for Intermediate students and a five to seven minute speech for all senior students. Competitors may be able to advance through Branch, Zone, District levels to the final Provincial Contest. Hopefully the talented speakers at MSS will progress to the Zone and Provincial Championships.
On Thursday, January 19, a group of 20 students were inspired by the sticky snow and spontaneously decided to create a giant snowman that reached the second floor windows. The snowman is a reminder that even though school can be stressful, MSS students can still have fun and lighten the mood.
High school students across the Island will be studying hard for their culminating projects and final exams. Good luck and ‘til next time, stay golden, Mustangs.
