OFSAA’s Character Athlete Award celebrates the efforts of the exceptional student-athletes in Ontario who best exemplify the characteristics that OFSAA is founded on.
Nominations come to the OFSAA office detailing the exceptional character of student-athletes from across the province. This year’s recipients inspire those around them with their involvement on the playing field and in the classroom, in both school and community.
Selecting just two females and two male winners from the over 90 submissions is a difficult task, but these four individuals stood out for their commitment to OFSAA’s values of leadership, equity, respect and sportsmanship. Each winner will receive a $500 grant from Jostens and a commemorative plaque to recognize this outstanding achievement.
Bailee is a grade 12 student at Medway High School in Arva.
Bailee was a student in Medway’s Peer Support Leadership program during her grade 11 year. Bailee showed from the beginning that she was excited, willing and capable to take on a leadership role within the school and community. Peer Supporters at Medway are responsible for the orientation and support of the grade nine students as they begin their high school careers. Bailee was placed in, and responsible for a grade 9 Physical Education homeroom where she assisted the students academically, socially and personally. She was also an asset to the classroom teacher by helping with lessons, organization and some classroom management. Bailee was given very positive evaluations and feedback for her role as a senior leader. She worked diligently to remain useful and effective throughout such a challenging year and showed resilience, kindness and dedication each day. As a Peer Supporter, she also helped to organize Grade 9 Orientation, Homeroom competitions and various Spirit days. Staff have been impressed by both her organization and care for others and students respect Bailee for her hard work and positive manner.
Bailee is willing to help out wherever needed and can be counted on to complete any task with integrity and skill. Bailee is always ready and able to assist others and works very well with people of all ages and personalities. Her compassion for others and her school is evident in everything she does. Along with maintaining Honour Roll status in her academics, she has been an integral part of the Medway community over the years where she has made many wonderful friends and inspired others to be upstanders and positive members of our school. Bailee has been involved in Best Buddies, Athletics (basketball & badminton), Math tutoring and Student Council. Bailee is a positive role model for student leaders and the community as a whole. She has recently organized community fundraisers for a family in need of support and financial assistance – she truly shares both her time and her heart with those who need it the most.
Bailee approaches every practice ready to work and expects the same of others. She is focused on personal growth and regularly seeks feedback from coaches and teammates. She is trusted by her peers as someone who is willing to help without judgment and is able to support others in ways that enable them to achieve personal success. She runs team warm-ups, assists with drills, helps teammates analyze opponents before matches, offers insight to younger athletes, and is always there to cheer on others or provide encouraging words after a tough match. Her approachability and work ethic, coupled with her capacity to lead, prove to be the ideal characteristics that allow her to find continued success in athletics and why she holds the respect of both teammates and opponents.
Bailee has been a committed member of the Student Athletic Association since her grade 9 year. She attends all meetings and does not hesitate to volunteer to help out with events. She is a strong role model for our younger students in her role at SAA but also in her sports involvement on the badminton and basketball teams. Her calm demeanour and sportsmanship along with her strong work ethic and determination is a pleasure to watch on the court.
