W. R. Myers High School 2023

Abstract

The annual publication of the students of W. R. Myers High School Taber, Alberta. (Volume 2022-2023)pdf04-11 PEOPLE 12-45 STUDENT LIFE 46-70 SPORTS 71-91 GRAD 5511A 54 ST TABER, ALBERTA PHONE: 403.223.2292 https://wrmyers.horizon.ab.ca/ 2 0 2 3 "'mn s Top: Branson Devfteger, Konnor Wiebe, Chase Stronge, Avery Remfert Bottom: Scarlett Valgardson, Aspen Anderon( Jolene Wurz MEMO Lisa Astalos Crystal Carver Nicole Cooney Robyn Cram Sean Dupuis Kathy Friesen Jocelle Gerow Josiah Goudy Mark Harding Adam Hughes Corrie llczynski Arica Jensen Amber Kallen Rene Lavoie Doug Leavitt Jamie Maccormack Andrea Makarchuk Pam Manser Lillian McCarty Stacy McClelland Natasha Morgan STAFF » ADDRESS yearbook highlights the numerous events/activities and the daily experiences we encountered during the 2022-23 school year. These ■ reinforce what makes our school so special. We have a school community that sincerely cares about one other. I am so proud of the of WRM! I would like to thank all of our students and staff for their positive contributions throughout the year. like to sincerely thank Mrs. Jensen and the student team for their hard work and creativity in putting this yearbook together. Sincerely, Scott Petronech 5 Evan Abela Gentry Ackroyd Isack Banman Carson Becker Jeliane Benedicto Lilly Bennett Nik Binnie Hanna Bollozos Rayden Boyd Roman Capner Leia Cavuilagi Max Clements Karter Coon Courtney Cote Ryan Couch Tylerah Daisley Karsyn Davis Branson Devlieger Jacelyn Duncan Lily Dunlop Logan Eckert GRADE 9 Bergen Ellingson Ryan Erick Aliyah Erickson Ella Evans Caleb Fehr Heinrich Fehr Pancho Fehr Jackzon Fox Jason Friesen Nela Friesen Katharina Giesbrecht Linda Giesbrecht Darius Hewie Taylee Hirney Macie Holcek Hannah Hornberger Arabella Hull Macy Johnson Tristan Karren Karen Ketler Kelly Ketler Ryler Kiss Karen Klassen Alexis Knight Harrison Knight Bobbi Kosowan Eva Krahn Joanna Krishnan Missing photos: Janelle Balague, Jackzon Clark, Marissa Coutts, Jade Foster, Sophia Higa, Beuxy Hog^h Alera Kunz Katelyn Kutanzi Annie-Jo Lee Angelina Letkeman Nicolrae Liquigan Chloe Longhurst Drue Marty Morgen McClenaghan Dylan Mitchell Tate Nakashima Aaron Neustaeter Jomel Harvey Paredes Jaida Peters Austin Pierson Zachary Ratuiste Avery Remfert Hayley Robinson Olivia Robinson Brad Rosalita Benny Schmitt Maizie Skiba |F’a^| Chase Stronge Ireland Stronski Haven Tams Autumn Theodore Nevaeh Trowsdale Ayden Umbach Brilynd Unser Grayson Utke Taylor Van Seters Kaelyn Waldner Alicia Wall Rowan Wallace Donovan Warkentin Lincoln Weiss Claudia Wiebe David Wiebe Franz Wiebe Keenen Wiebe Konnor Wiebe Martha Wiebe Robbie Wiebe QUA Tracey Wiebe Anni Wight Adelyn Williamson Jaida Willis Aisha Wozniak Kaitlin Zaiser □ hissing photos con't: Kale Penrod, Merrick Saunders, Nancy Friesen, Johnny Harms, Jakob Wiebe 7 Aspen Anderson Jayden Angyal Benjamin Atwood Shaianne Barcena Resha Belanio Ella Blindback Aubrey Bollozos Taylor Brown Jaymz Buchta Tanis Buchta Tanner Bullock Rebecca Carver Elias Cooper Audrey Couch Dane Denhollander Kamrynn Dueck Aubrey Evanson Shaylee Fehr Zachary Fehr Tyson Fettig Jenna Frederick GRADE 10 Agatha Friesen Brooke Friesen Nick Friesen Johnny Friessen Jordyn Funk Addison Garner Georgia Giesbrecht-Bael Rebecca Goertzen Ryan Gray Joel Hansen Joshua Heide Tyler Hoath James Horsman Jayla Hudson Carson Hughes Adison Hutzul Tarynn Jacobson Deja Jeffrey Avery Jensen Brady Jensen Dane Jensen Tage Jensen Sarah Johansen Brandon Johnson Jaden Johnson Sam Klaas Kayden Kress Kevin Kroeker Vik 8 Matthew Kutanzi Cyrha Laluna Dawson Layton Lilly Leacock Benson Leishman Bennie Loewen Rebekka Loewen Breann Lowry Sarah Lucas Reese Lund Kyra Macdonald Irish Manalo Marianne Marasigan Katarina Martens Jayden Morris Ashley Munshaw Sara Neufeld Jess Nielsen Madeline Nielsen Steven Pack Rhainards Padcayan issing photos: Shaylee Debona, Henry Fehr, Jesse Penrod, Kyler Seago David Penner Tony Peters Grant Petronech Blake Rabusic Trisha Ranara Gideon Rasmussen Neil Reimer Janelle Sace Hugo Saenz Ramirez Alayna Shimbashi Keatyn Standing Apple Stewart Reid Swistun Arnold Tait Hailey Turcato Scarlett Valgardson Keira Virostek Kaleb Vossebelt Jordan Wensveen Grady Werewka Macey Werewka 9 Abby Abela Jaryn Baker Nicholas Behrens Judy Bergen Heston Bevans Solo Bewa Matteo Blasetti Sydney Boes Anna Boldt Ryu Boyd-Foster Kai Brown Mackenzie Brown Jayce Buchta Allen Clements Kason Coon Vickie Dueck Desiree Duggan-Trowsdale Liam Ellingson Rihanna Erickson Gracia Eusebio Will Evanson GRADE 11 Charles Estremos, Henry Friesen, David Han Jo 10 Chloe Johnson Kara Ketler Cody Klassen Evan Koizumi Vance Kramer Logan Kuypers Holly Larson Carter Lee Devan Loewen Agatha Martens Bronwyn McClenaghan Kira Molsberry Abigail Morgan Tori Nanaquewetung Emma Nelson Xenia Neufeld Abraham Neustaeter Kaden Nevison Mackenzie Nilsson Bryden O'connor Madisen O'connor hissing photos con't: Shayne Honeywell, Donovan Kast, Brynn Keeler, Noah Mouland, Amadeus Peacock, loshua Rabaca, Keshin Shaw, William Taylor 11 IT'S TIME! The end of summer has come and with it, the start of a new school year. We've begun the day with an assembly to welcome back students and staff. This year we welcomed some wonderful new staff members to myers along with many new students. The halls were filled with plenty of students sporting smiles and some great fits. The year started off with a bang! The X-Wing boys bathroom was open for a month without being closed down once, a new record for W.R. Myers students. 13 (itched Jideoi Jolene Wurz, Aubrey Evanson Caleb Fehr \bigail Keith Marko ,W. -'. Georgia Giesbrecht-Bael, Jenna Frederick Jaida Willis, Courtney Cote, Karsyn Davis Having Fun enjoying the weather! Katarina Martens, Lilly Leacock Vanessa Rae, Brooklyn Stanley Tristan Karren FREE BURGERS FOR ALU. HUNDREDS of burgers were handed out at our annual Tri-School BBQ! This event brings students, family members and teachers together and gives everyone a chance to meet and get to know one another a little better! The sun was shining and it was an amazing turnout! Student Council was there in full force handing out the food and our Myers stage band serenaded us with their fantastic musical abilities! Xdisq TRI-SCHOOL BB#rac 14 * •Ryan Couch, Gentry Ackroyd IF*-1* orange! TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION Feininger lison Hutzul group photo oi ryone who wore ISflfcKaojyn Walter . Melissa Planger This year at Myers, we had a bulletin board saying that reconciliation should be a verb. That is because we know reconciliation comes through actions. It is an ongoing process that involves learning the truth of residential schools and also respecting Indigenous culture. September is an important time of the year because that is when First Nation, Metis, and Inuit children were taken from their homes to residential schools. We wear our orange shirts in September to remind ourselves of how residential schools stripped children of their language and culture. But, the efforts to eliminate indigenous culture were unsuccessful. Indigenous culture thrives in the modern world, despite the dark history. This year, we celebrate indigenous vibrant cultures by learning a Blackfoot word of the week, making commemorative pins, and by watching Jerry First Charger's dance group and learning about hoop dancing. Rasmussen Rebecca Goertzen Arno d Tait Riley Payne, Kason Coon Brigam person fl T h ; > • f* Mik B#SftS®%SS M^^^ 4 I This year we had yet another spooky Halloween celebration, our Rebels were fangtastically dressed in a variety of great costumes including spies, holidays, scarecrows, and superheros. We also saw Mr. Leavitt sporting some wicked eye makeup with his Rasputin costume - if you don't know who Rasputin is, look him up! 16 Carving pumpkins, trick-or-treating, and wearing scary costumes are some of the time-honored traditions of Halloween. Yet, the Halloween holiday has its roots in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (a Gaelic word pronounced "SAH-win"), a pagan religious celebration to welcome the harvest at the end of summer, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts (to the trick the spirits) as they believed the veil between the living and spirit world grew thinnest at that time. 17 Pack. Carver,., Jolene Wurz Abby Abela Gracia Eusebio, Madisen O'Connor ■ atwiia „„...„,,... ■■...■i.ar "rfti den ( Bentley Holst Keira Virostek, Jessica Ressler t Aidan Marty, Brigam Pierson The WR Myers Academic Awards Night is a celebration of the many academic accomplishments that Myers students have made over the past school year. The cash awards that were given out tonight would not be possible without the generous donations of our local families, organizations and businesses. The total amount that has been donated this year is 19 800.00! ■HHI AWARD Jalyri Sprinkle WHO'S GOT 11^1 b' A 4 Kara Schoninghuis, Alexis Denhollander, Jenna Bailey Remembrance Day is a time to remember and reflect on those who gave their lives for our freedom. As the years pass, for some, it becomes harder and harder to understand just what was given up during those wartime years. We owe the freedom we enjoy everyday to those who fought in unthinkable conditions. Thank you to Mr Leavitt for sharing your your heartfelt message and thank you to the students who placed wreaths on behalf of DA Ferguson Middle School, Taber Mennonite School and WR Myers High School. 22 I MERRY CHRISTMAS The weather our last week before Christmas holidays turned out to be one for the history books! Windchills in the mid -30's to low -40's, meant school buses weren't running for most of the week. Unfortunately this impacted our overall attendance and our yearly Christmas Festivities! But don't worry, those who were able to attend still did so with big smiles, gifts exchanged between friends..... and of course the infamous "Ugly Christmas Sweaters" were out in full force! V The Concert and Stage Bands both had V incredibly busy years. The Stage Band kicked ■ off the year by playing at the Tri-School BBQ V and Awards Night. The Music of the Night ■ Concert was held in November this year. Due to ■ bad weather, it got postponed by a week but was F a great success and it highlighted some of the talents that are in Taber. Finally, after not happening for several years due to Covid, the Stage Band performed at the Town of Taber's Remembrance Day Ceremony. The Concert Band played Shindler's List and featured Liam Ellingson on the violin at the school's Remembrance Day Ceremony. Thatcher Hughes was the bugler at both events. In December, the annual Christmas Concert was held and Tyler Gurney won for the best dressed instrument. In May, the Concert Band performed at the Graduation Ceremony. And both bands played at the 80s Themed Year End Concert. Paige Hofer, Alyssa Erick, Allen ClementsjMathias Warkentin, Brigham Porter Aubrey Evanson, Grant Petronech, Sarah Lucas Vance Kramer, Heston Bevans, Vickie Duer McClenaghan, Morgen McClenaghan, Jat Evan Abela, Max Clements, Andrea Makarchuk, Berger Ellingson, Liam Ellingson ' -____________&____^__ 3B^^_a_jue^3BBM^ MlMPi' Ml mill.. 1 »^ Wa Jolene Wurz, Rebecca Gqertzen, Ella Blind back, Bronwyn McClenaghan, Jaryn Baker, Addyson Bennett, Sadie Wriflht Fmilv-.ljirriQ Rebecca Goertzen, Carson Hughes, Brigham Porter Vance Kramer, Abby Abela Exploring Var Heston Bevans The Band Trip this year was to Vancouver, British Columbia - April 1 9-23, 201 Sixty-two students and seven chaperones were a part of the trip. The first day, I did a concert at Central School in Taber and then travelled on to Revelstoke, Brill Columbia. On day two, the bands did a performance in Revelstoke and 1 elementary kids made them feel like rock stars. Then we travelled on to Vancouvl On day three, we did a concert at a school in Vancouver and then went to I Calpilano Suspension Bridge, Granville Market and finished off the day with o| ten pin bowling. Day four, had the band I to the Vancouver Aquarium. And then spe ,—— some time on the beach at Stanley Park. M supper in Gastown and then went to I /—cE===p Vancouver Symphony and saw the mol —J WestSide Story with the symphony playi ------- ' the music live. It was amazing! And day fi' had a group of very tired band students a chaperones head back to Tab I Anni Wight. Drue Marty, Katelyn Kutanzi, Lilly Bennett, Morgen iMcClfenag h in the rainl j_ _ _ _ sms_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _—__ Carson Hughes, Seth Robbins, Tate Nakashima, Will Evan Will Evan son Paige Hofer, Sa A en C ements BhYSICS: After a three year hiatus, the Physics 30s were finally able to once again B-avel to the University of Lethbridge for their annual field trip! This day starts with optics lab using the University of Lethbridge Physics lab equipment, and ends ~Lith touring six different labs to see the research of six different professors. This field (lip was the first time that Myers students were able to tour the brand new Science Buildin' While the day is always a little overwhelming in terms of the information Being thrown at them, it's always a great experience to see what scientific research ■Is being done with some of the best equipment in Canada, all within 55km of Taber! BIOLOGY: Dissection of the FETAL PIG! Learning about all of the differing body ystems is what brings the fetal pig to Biology! A fetal pig dissection is helpful jecause the size of the organs makes them easy to find and identify. It is also nteresting to do because a lot of the internal anatomy is similar to humans! An sthical note - fetal pigs are pigs that died just before, during or right after birth, .earning through dissection has been part of school curriculum for decades! L:^ ■* #■ Will Evanson, Allen Clements W ^® AWARENESS DAY On March 23 students and staff wore green to raise awareness for Cerebral Palsy(CP), a disability that affects someones balance and ability to move. CP is caused by a brain injury usually from complications during birth. This day was planned and organized by Abigail Morgan, a student with Cerebral Palsy atW. R. Myers. CEREBRAL PALSY Ramirez, Ella Blindback, Jaryn Baker, Seth Robbins, Hugo Sac Allen Clements Katarina Martens WL Rihanna Erickson, Abigail Morgan, Sadie Wright Rachael Price lison Hutzul I Hayley Robinson, Lisa Astalos Nicky Peters s’~ Brigam Pierson, Aidan Marty Owen Schnoor, Vinnie DeBona, Abigail Morgan, Seth Robbins CASTLE W. R. Myers students hit the slopes on a beautiful winter day in January. Fun was definitely had by all! Abagail also got to enjoy the slopes with the help of Mr. Greg Bowes! .sen O'connor BBS Anna Wr Abigail Morgan jht, Sadie Wright ■G^J^miHSBn Myers is lucky to have so many talented snowboarders and skiers at our school. Just take a closer look at a few of the photos that were shared with us for the Yearbook! Teya Harris, Tatum Duncan Konnor Wiebe Kyler Seago Sydney llczynski Jeliane Benedicto Audrey ^Q| anad i >wz DID YOU KNOW CAREER OPTIONS that are related to the OPTION CLASSES you take in high school are just as numerous as the career options that are related to your CORE classes! C~7\ Industrial Arts (Shop) related careers - Carpenter, Cabinet Making, Mechanic, Electrician, Machinist, Welder - just to name a Few! Foods - Baker, Chef, Sous Chef, Butcher, Cake Decorator, Food ----- Technologist, Pastry Cook, Sommelier and the list goes on! Media (Computers) - Photographer, Graphic Design Artist, Animator, Video and Production, 3D Design and Print, IT Specialist, Web Designer i Textiles - Seamstress, Patternmaker, Tailor, Textile Design, Upholsterer, J Quilter, Hatter (one who designs and makes hats), Taxidermy, Leatherworker Art - Illustrator, Interior Designer, Landscape Design, Medical Illustrator, Glass Blowers, Potter (one who makes pottery). YOU MAY BE MISSING OUT ON YOUR FUTURE CAREER, IF YOU DON'T EXPERIENCE WRM OPTION CLASSES! Kiernan Gyepesi, Bentley Holst Pierson Noa Otero Fernandez, Mackenzie Nilsson W.V Abby Abela, Noa Otero Fernandez, Jaryn Baker, Brynn Keeler Hughes Chris Shimbashi, Belinda Rios Brigham Porter .Reid Swistun Andrew Orr Ryan Gray, Solo Bewa 'Son, David Penner THIS YEAR we had a BLAST at our pep rallies! Who doesn't love a spirited game of DODGE BALL, or how about a game of 4 CORNERS to get everybody up and moving! Plus there is always room to try NEW things, like MAT SURFING!! DID YOU KNOW.... 1. Why do we have pep rallies? To build school spirit and enthusiasm for the school's athletic teams and other extracurricular events. The purpose of a pep rally is to bring students, staff, and members of the community together to show ---- ' support for the school and its teams, and to build excitement for upcoming events! 2. There are academic and extracurricular benefits that come from the loyalty that is built up from the camaraderie enjoyed at such events. 3. Pep Rallies provide some much needed laughter after potentially stressful weeks in the classroom MYERS A^ J Seth Robbins, Thatch^-Hughes Pancho Fehr, Max Clements MW 34 Bobbi Kosowan, Maizie Skiba It is awesome to see these students work together for a cause that touches so many of us! Our hats go off to Courtney Cote, Tate Nakashima, Taylee Hirney, Linda Giesbrecht, Kara Ketler and their leaders Chelsea van Husen and Kimberley Wasylowich. Headstrong is a student lead group that aims to end stigma around mental health. This year the Headstrong group met weekly to discuss mental health stigma and ways to implement some awesome ideas throughout the school. Their largest initiative happened this spring, during the first week of May. Some of the activities included the making and handing out of de-stress bags, the much-loved plant give away, playing with a therapy dog and much morel! Front: Tayl Kelly Ketler „ ______tLj». ney, Courtney Cote, Tate Nakashima, Back'.Linda Giesbrecl Zachary Rdtuiste Susannah Loewen, Thatcher Hughes, Kiernan Gyepesi X/! 3ke Rabusic, Hugo Saenz Ramirez, Adison HutiuI- Trisha nara^ebrning about the building and selling of Recreation Sam Klaas learning about Respiratory Therapy 35 During the other half of the day, students tour a local business, discovering firsthand how different occupations contribute to producing quality produces and services, (info from: careersteps.ca) For half the day, students are introduced to these pathways in a meaningful and experiential manner by connecting directly with business and industry representatives and getting a glimpse of what it might be like to work in various fields. Ideally, students will get to explore one occupation from each of the following industries: Agriculture/Environ-ment, Health, STEM, Trades, plus one wildcard occupation that does not fall within these 4 sectors. Local industry professionals showcase their businesses and connect with their future workforce... YOU - the students. & Resha Belanio, Cyrha Laluna, Shaianne Barcena learning how to virtually operate a crane. Carson Hughes, Jordyn Funk, learning about the proper consistency of cement EPIC (Exploring Possible Industries & Careers) DAY is a large-scale, 2-part, career exploration event that features a variety of career pathways for high school students to explore. WHAT IS IN YOUR FUTURE? REGIONAL AND PROVINCIAL CARTER JENSEN Established in 1992, the Provincial Skills Canada Competition is Alberta's largest career exploration experience. Every year, the event brings together approximately 700 young people from across the province to compete in 45 trade and technology areas (30 trade and technology areas at the high school level and 45 at the post secondary level). The competition provides an opportunity for young Albertans studying a skilled trade or technology to be tested against exacting standards and against their peers. Students vie to win the honour of being crowned best in province in their chosen discipline, and for the opportunity to join Team Alberta for the Skills Canada National Competition. »us Owen Schnoor and Carter Jensen Events at the High School level include: competed at the Regional competition in Lethbridge. Both thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Carter secured a position in the Provincial competition in Edmonton, Alberta and represented Southwestern Alberta along with another competitor from Claresholm AB. There were 22 competitors in the Welding Bvent. It was a 6 hour event over 2 days. The competitors had to construct a rocketship on a platform. They had to meticulously follow a detailed blueprint that instructed them on the ype of welds (GMAW or SMAW, JP^I/downhill and stitch welds) they had to Jse in specifics areas of the build. Carter placed 8th considering (in his words) most of e competitors had a lot more experience than 16 had. Way to go Carter! 2D/3D Computer Animation Architectural Technology and Design Autobody Repair Automobile Technology Baking Cabinet Making Car Painting Carpentry Culinary Arts Electrical Installations Electronics Fashions Technology Graphic Design Hairstyling - Intermediate Hairstyling - Junior Hairstyling - Senior IT-Network Systems Admin IT- Office Software Applications Job Search Job Skills Demonstration Joinery Mechanical CADD Photography Precision Machining Public Speaking Robotics Video Production Web Design and Development Welding Workplace Safety. Industry experts predict that Alberta will experience skilled worker shortages into 2025 due to industry growth and retiring workers. Currently, Alberta has 100,000 fob openings in the province across all sectors. In-demand sectors include healthcare, construction, education, technology and engineering. Pierson' Colby Tor Scarlett Vai jlene Wurz .... 1 st Row - Aliyah Erickson W ^ , 2nd Row - Jaida Willis, Courtney Cote 3rd Row - Vickie Dueck, Addyson Bennett, Emily Lucas, Kara Schortinc 4th Row - Sadie Wright, Jaryn Baker, Bronwyn McClenaghan 1 Creating an atmosphere where the players feel su