Last night I had the privilege of attending the 12^th annual Oak Bay Young Exceptional Star (Y.E.S) awards ceremony at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel where 11 exceptionally talented youth in grades 6 to 10 were honoured for their achievements.

As noted by the YES Awards Committee, Chaired by Hazel Braithwaite, that administers the awards, “The goal of the awards is to emphasize the positive achievements of Oak Bay’s young people by recognizing those who have distinguished themselves in such areas as volunteerism, arts, citizenship, academics, athletics and/or who have overcome obstacles to achieve their goals.”

Congratulations to this year’s award winners: Griffin Arnatt, Michael Barber, Sola Dupain, Matthew Hinton, Luka Hurschler, Jessica Hutcheson, Ryan Killoran, MacKenzie Porter, Lauren Rust, Jessica Soule and Margot Wehrle.

I had the pleasure of presenting the award to Ryan Killoran from St. Michael’s University School who was nominated by his teacher Mr. Bell. Below is the text of my speech.

Text of Presentation Speech

A triple threat is not a term that can be given to many 14 year old’s,but Ryan Killoran is well deserving of that title! This year, Ryan was the captain and star of the grade 8 basketball team, the lead in the middle school musical and a model student in the classroom. Mr. Bell  – Humanities 8 Teacher and Basketball Coach says that this is his first year teaching and coaching Ryan at St. Michaels University School and he says that he is blown away by the poise and humbleness that Ryan comes into each day with.

On the basketball court, Ryan is a tremendous player who leads by example. He is a very cerebral individual, seeing plays that most cannot at the grade 8 level, which encourages his teammates to play in the same unselfish way. Ryan has shown that he is not only talented enough to play basketball at a high level but that he also possesses the desire to improve and the character needed to be a good teammate and competitor. He is a hard worker in both practice and games and is very coachable.

On stage, Ryan’s talent and confidence shines through. In this year’s middle school musical, Seussical, Ryan earned the lead role of Cat in the Hat and delivered his lines with humor and grace in front of a full crowd at the McPherson Playhouse. Ryan’s performing talents do not stop at his acting abilities however as he is a talented singer and flautist, with an impressive affinity for improvisation in the school’s Jazz Band.

In the classroom, Ryan is a confident and enthusiastic learner who excels in verbal debates and discussions in Humanities class. Ryan provides insight and shows excellent understanding in all aspects of the curriculum while also demonstrating respect to his peers and a willingness to help out around the classroom. Ryan’s report card confirms that his other teachers would tell you the same thing. In addition, he is a role model to younger students as he also participated in the school’s WEB (Where Everybody Belongs) program that welcomes the grade 6 students into the middle school to help with their transition from the Junior School. Ryan epitomizes SMUS’ four leadership pillars – Service, Honesty, Respect and Courage – and has so since he came to the Middle School.

Mr. Bell feels that Ryan is well deserving of the Y.E.S. Award as he excels in all aspects of his school and has the drive and character traits that make anything in his future possible.

Ladies and Gentlemen – please join me in congratulating Ryan Killoran on his achievements!