Jul. 06, 2016
Hadis Geleto, Sukhleen Johal, and Tesloach David
Alberta’s Physical Education program “emphasizes activity living, with a focus on physical activity that is valued and integrated into daily life. . . [and] is enhanced through opportunities to participate in intramural and interschool athletics.” (Alberta Physical Education Program of Study, pp. 1,2) Each student at Annie Gale School has a daily structured Physical Education class taught by specialists who encourage students to participate in these activities. Also, as part of Results 4 - Personal Development through Learning, this year students in Physical Education classes set personal goals in fitness as well as athletics.
As a result of these learning opportunities and student efforts to excel, three Annie Gale School Grade 9 students have been selected to represent the Calgary region (Zone 3) at the 2016 Alberta Summer Games in Leduc, Alberta, July 14-17.
Sukhleen Johal, Tesloach David, and Hadis Geleto will compete in Athletics, more commonly known as Track and Field. The students first competed with great success for Annie Gale School at their CBE divisional meet on May 6, 2016. All three were still really keen to test their skill and when they were given the opportunity to register for a second meet put on by the Calgary Track Council they jumped at the chance.
Initially there were some nerves when they found out that the meet would be open not only to CBE students, but also student athletes and track club members from every school district in Calgary and the surrounding region. Those concerns quickly disappeared as the Annie Gale “Grizzlies” started outperforming the competition and turning heads of the coaches of the local track clubs.
Annie Gale School sent six athletes to the Calgary Track Council meet, all of our athletes made the final of their respective events, and we are proud to say that despite the higher level of competition none of our athletes finished less than 5th overall, including three 2nd place finishes.
The Calgary Track Council meet was the first of two 2016 Alberta Summer Games qualifiers. The second meet, the CALTAF Classic, was sponsored by the Calgary Track and Field Association, and featured an even larger field, open to student athletes from all over the province of Alberta. Once again our Annie Gale School athletes used their training to establish competitive results against some of the best student athletes in Track and Field that the province had to offer. Following the meet Sukhleen, Tesloach, and Hadis were notified that they had each qualified for one of two spots in each of their respective disciplines for the upcoming Alberta Summer Games. The three now attend sport specific training sessions, two days a week, in preparation for the event.
We are excited for them to have this opportunity to thrive and grow. We are especially proud that these athletes, who have never has the specialized training like that offered through a club, were able to achieve such great heights. Good luck at the games, enjoy the experience, have fun, and make us proud!!!
Submitted by Elizabeth Wood, Principal, Annie Gale School
**Due to age restrictions our three younger athletes were unfortunately ruled ineligible from competing in the second qualifier and will have to wait for the next Alberta Summer Games in 2018.
