OFSAA and members of the Brian Maxwell Memorial Scholarship Fund held a zoom video conference presentation with the six honourees and their families on Wednesday afternoon.
Please meet the worthy recipients of the 2020 Brian Maxwell Memorial Scholarship below.
These student-athletes with a track and field or cross country pedigree in high school will continue their post-secondary education at a Canadian college or university. The scholar-athletes display qualities of honesty, integrity, compassion and an unwavering quest to accomplish the best academically and athletically while supporting fellow team members. These were all qualities of Brian Maxwell. Each recipient will receive $5,000.
The scholarship fund is in memory of Brian Maxwell, a successful distance runner. Brian competed in track and field and cross country and achieved success as an OFSAA champion, and a Canadian junior, juvenile and senior champion. He also won numerous international marathons. In 1980, he was selected to the Canadian Olympic team and later became a successful entrepreneur who, with his wife, Jennifer, co-founded the nutritional supplement PowerBar.
Brian was born with a defective heart valve and in 2004, at only 51 years of age, died of a heart attack.
OFSAA is proud and appreciative to offer the Brian Maxwell Memorial Scholarship each year to support students continuing their education in Canada.
Please meet the worthy recipients of the 2020 Brian Maxwell Memorial Scholarship:
Mackenzie Campbell, Kingston Collegiate and Vocational Institute (KCVI), Kingston
A seven-time OFSAA participant in Cross Country and Track and Field. Mackenzie’s running highlights include three team medals (two gold and a bronze), and a 43rd, 26th, 18th and this past November a 6th place finish individually in Cross country. In track and field, she began as a sprinter, qualifying in the 100 and 200 in grade 9, 200 & 400 in grade 10 and finishing 8th and 9th respectively in the steeplechase and 3000m in 2018!
She has also played Interschool volleyball and swam for KVCI during her high school career.
Academically, Mackenzie excels in the classroom, where she has a 98% average across her grade 12 courses!
Outside the classroom, she demonstrates leadership and selflessness through her actions. She has been a lead organizer of her school Terry Fox Run, organized a shoe-box campaign to help provide footwear for kids in need, been on the executive of the school math club, co-chaired her school’s Athletic Association and coached an elementary school volleyball team.
Her teachers and coaches speak glowingly of her commitment, dedication, and perseverance.
Next fall, she will be attending the University of British Columbia, enrolled in their Bachelor of Science program.
Kileigh Harrington, St. Joseph’s Catholic High School, Barrie
A four-time OFSAA cross country qualifier, with a best finish of 19th in grade 10, Kileigh is described by her teachers as a quiet leader, one who leads by example.
During her high school career, she qualified for OFSAA in cross country four times, as well as in Nordic Skiing, Hockey and basketball, demonstrating herself to be a well-rounded athlete.
In the classroom, she also excels, achieving an overall average of 97%. Around the school, she has been a member of the school Social Justice Club, been in the school concert band, competed in the Waterloo Math Contest, where she has achieved levels of distinction in two areas.
In the community, Kileigh has volunteered with Special Olympics in nordic skiing and snowshoeing, as well as with programs at her church. She has helped with science fairs, worked as a day counsellor at YMCA camps and local sports leagues.
She loves spending time playing outside, whether it be informal backyard play with her brothers or on family ski trips.
Her family’s motto is “be flexible and have a sense of humour”. Certainly wise words in any time, but particularly during a pandemic!
Kileigh will be attending McMaster University in Hamilton, where she will be enrolled in Engineering.
Clarissa Sladek, Medway High School, London
Clarissa is a 5-time OFSAA qualifier in cross country and track and field. Her best performance was 18th individually in Grade 11 and 23rd in Grade 10, helping her team capture 6th place. On the track, she was 3rd in the 3000m and 9th in the 1500m in grade 10 and 8th in the 3000m in Grade 11 as a first-year senior.
An all-around athlete, she has excelled in the classroom, achieving a 95% overall average. She has been involved in numerous school activities, from her Medway’s Sport Athletic Association to her involvement with ‘Best Buddies’ program for special needs students at her school.
In her community, she has been involved in numerous roles in her church, including a mission to Honduras. She called this her most meaningful achievement. Along with 3 other families, they feed homeless people, cared for infants in the hospital, installed water filters for those who needed and generally did whatever they could for those less fortunate. This trip was life-changing, making her gain an appreciation for how fortunate she feels to be Canadian and not ling for basic necessities we so often take for granted.
Her teachers and coaches describe her as extremely motivated and driven. A student who displayed tremendous skill and leadership throughout her time at her school.
Clarissa will be attending Western University next year, enrolled in the Kinesiology program.
Liam McKelvey, Neil McNeil High School, Toronto
Liam McKelvey is a 5-time OFSAA qualifier. Four Cross Country championship races, with his best performance taking place in Grade 9, when he was a bronze medallist. In grade 10, he was 5th and as a Senior boy he was 47th and 84th. On the track, he qualified in both the 1500m and 3000m in Grade 9 in Belleville, finishing 10th and 12th, respectively.
Liam is a 97% student in his grade 12 courses, where he particularly enjoys mathematics. In fact, he was recognized by the University of Waterloo for distinction in the Cayley Mathematics contest.
It is of particular note that Liam struggled in school in his younger years, finding school somewhat boring and not very challenging at times. He was diagnosed with ADHD and had a better understanding of himself, he began to run for how it gave him some direction, purpose and positive self-esteem. School became much more enjoyable and his success in all areas of school soon followed.
His coaches describe him as a leader, someone who is respected by his peers and teachers. He is one of those athletes who is usually first to arrive and last to depart, willing and able to help coaches and teammates any way he can, all the while achieving to high standards himself.
Around his school, Liam has been involved in student council, intramurals, a semi-formal committee and been on the ski and snowboard team. In his community, he has played high level lacrosse and works at the club as a referee. In fact, Liam was selected for Team Ireland for the 2020 World U19 Lacrosse Championships this summer, but since cancelled due to Covid-19. He has also volunteered with the Ted Reeve Hockey and skating school.
This fall, Liam has been accepted into University of Waterloo /Wilfred Laurier in a double major program of Mathematics and Business Administration.
Ben Miske, Port Credit High School, Port Credit
Ben Miske is a 6-time OFSAA Cross Country and track and field qualifier during his time at Port Credit High School. As a Junior aged competitor in Grade 10, he had his best finish in Cross Country with a 4th place finish. He also had a 12th, 13th, and 21st place finish in these races. On the track, he qualified in the 1500m, steeplechase and 3000m in grade 10 and 11, with outstanding finishes of 5th in the 2000m steeplechase as a first year senior in grade 11 and 6th place finishes in the 1500 and 3000 in junior. He also was 11th in the 3000 in grade 11.
Ben is a well-rounded young person, excelling in and out of the classroom. He holds a 95% overall average in his grade 12 courses, where he particularly enjoys the math and science subjects. Around his school, he has been very involved in a number of areas, particularly Student Government and Athletic council. He has been on a number of different teams, including the swim team, badminton team, and ultimate frisbee team.
In the community, Ben has volunteered his time at a YMCA Camp Wabanaki, tutored students in math and volunteered at the school fall fair. One hobby he has is in the board game Catan. He can explain the game to anyone who is interested and it is a real passion for him.
Ben is off to Queen’s University this fall, where he will be studying in the Engineering faculty.
Adam Sanger, Glebe Collegiate Institute, Ottawa
Adam Sanger has an impressive resume in both cross country running and track and field to his name. He qualified for OFSAA XC all four years of high school, finishing 8th on two occasions, including this past November as a grade 12 runner. His eighth place helped his school capture an OFSAA Silver medal in the team competition! He also was 22nd and 23rd his other two trips to OFSAA.
On the track, he captured a bronze medal in the 3000m in grade 9 and had a 7th and 8th place finish in the 3000m and 1500m respectively in his junior year. Injuries cut short his grade 11 season and he was looking forward to this year’s championship that were cancelled due to Covid-19.
Adam has been involved in a number of initiatives while a student at The Glebe. He has helped run intramural programs, a charity dodgeball tournament, a mental health awareness week, athletic banquet and ‘Spinathalon’!
His most rewarding accomplishment has been his involvement in helping Denis and Metis students from Fort Providence, NWT create and present a plan for a youth centre to their MP and Senator. He, along with other students, worked tirelessly to assist these students in coming up with a plan that while initially was not successful, the students learned from their first attempt and were successful in the end. Adam and others from his school went up to visit and helped with some of the construction.
One of Adam’s other areas of interest is in nordic skiing. Adam received certification to become the youngest ever nordic ski instructor in Canada. He teaches at his local club and takes great pride in seeing kids pick up the sport with his help.
Adam maintained a mid 90% average and will be attending McGill University this fall, enrolled in the Arts/Science faculty in Cognitive Science.
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