2010 SaskEnergy Willow Awards Gala

Saltcoats School was the host of a wonderful gala celebration to announce and honour the winners of the 2009 Willow Awards.

The addition of several pieces of willow furniture, made by a local artist, completed the picturesque setting.

Despite the downpour outdoors, the school gym and halls were sunny and bright, decorated with wonderful art reflecting the thirty 2009 nominees.

As we waited for the program to begin, the chairs in the gym filled with parents and community members eager to watch the students celebrate The Willow Awards.

The program began with the dignitaries being piped in.

The kindergarten class sang a welcome song.

His Honour The Honourable Dr. Gordon Barnhart spoke to the gathering about his journey to becoming a reader and also noted that Saltcoats is his home community.

Dr. Barnhart’s address was followed by greetings from Mayor Farquharson, Trustee Smandych and Mrs. Florence Barton, President of SYRCA - The Willow Awards (above).

Masters of Ceremonies were Jenelle Hutchings, Sara Hunt and Tyson Sass.

Jessica and Katelyn Farquharson, accompanied by their grandfather Walter, mayor of Saltcoats, performed a play based on the Shining Willow nominee Rosie and Buttercup.

A special treat was a performance by student and guest fiddler Scott Cornelius. His performance had everyone’s toes tapping.

This is the first time the new Willow Award, a laser-cut metal version of the Willow Award Logo set in a glass base, has been presented.

The Shining Willow Award was presented by the Grade 3 class. The envelope was opened and the winner announced. Mechanimals by Chris Tougas was the winner.

The Snow Willow envelope was opened and the winner announced – Dear Jo by Christina Kilbourne.

Ms Leslie Gosselin presented a willow tree to the school on behalf of the gala sponsor, SaskEnergy.

Mrs. Donna Koch, a SYRCA Director, presented a basket filled with the new Willow nominees and a plaque for the school.

The program was followed by treats in the classrooms for the students and refreshments for the guests. A cake beautifully decorated to display all thirty 2009 Willow nominees was a tasty centerpiece.

The winning authors, organizers of the Saltcoats Gala and the Willow board. Back row, left to right: Marilyn Herron, Merle Wiley, Margaret Steger, Wilfred Burton, Ann Atchison, Val Gerrard, Charlotte Raine. Front row, left to right: Ruth Garnett, Christina Kilbourne, Chris Tougas, Donna Koch, Florence Barton, Naomi Kral, Carlene Walter.