Ceremony marks end of 10 weeks of competition

OREGON — The Oregon Park District hosted the second annual Winter Games Awards Ceremony on Thursday, March 23. The ceremony is a culmination of 10 weeks of competitive games with the Village of Progress. Over the 10 week period the athletes competed in football, soccer, basketball and hockey.

The Winter Games are made possible through the generous donation from the Oregon Park District’s presenting sponsor, E.D. Etnyre & Co.

The athletes entered the ceremony to the horns played by Oregon Junior Senior High School teachers Miles Beske, Andy Eckardt and Zach Hall.

The Star Spangled Banner was performed by the quartet of Mark Tremble, Miles Beske, Andy Eckardt and Zach Hall.

Following introductions by Oregon Park District Executive Director Erin Folk and Neal Trainor, Oregon Park District VOP coordinator, the athletes enjoyed hearing from OJSHS Principal Dr. Heidi Deininger. Deininger spoke to the character and strengths the athletes possess. Sportsmanship was the common theme over the past 10 weeks.

Medals were presented to the following athletes:

Event one: Football - longest throw: Gold – Cameron (Rochelle), Silver – Clo (DeKalb) and Bronze – Karl (Stillman Valley).

Event two: Football - best accuracy throw:  Gold – Matthew (Stillman Valley), Silver – Jessica (Lindenwood) and Bronze – Chris (Rochelle).

Event three: Basketball - speed dribble: Gold – Adon (Rochelle), Silver – Austin (Byron) and Bronze – Sue (Leaf River).

Event four: Basketball - most lay ups: Gold – JR (Stillman Valley), Silver – Matthew (Stillman Valley) and Bronze – Chris (Rochelle).

Event five: Basketball - dribble down and back: Gold – Brian (Oregon), Silver – Tony (Lindenwood) and Bronze – Darren (Polo) and Sam (Holcomb).

Event six: Hockey - longest shot: Gold – JR (Stillman Valley),  Silver – Ben (Oregon) and Bronze – Liz (Oregon).

Event seven: Hockey - most saves: Gold – Summer (Oregon), Silver – Cameron (Rochelle) and Bronze – Rebecca (Byron).

Event eight: Soccer - speed/dribble control: Gold – Rachel (Mt. Morris), Silver – Jim (Oregon) and Bronze – Clo (DeKalb) and Tim (Oregon).

Event nine: Soccer - most goals:  Gold – Hope (Rochelle), Silver – James (Rochelle) and Bronze – Sharon (Rockford).

Event 10: Soccer - most saves: Gold – Stacey (Oregon), Silver – Sherri (Rochelle) and Bronze – Darren (Polo)

Leadership & MVP awards

These athletes demonstrated sportsmanship, enthusiasm and leadership at every turn.  Winners in each category were: Football MVP – Cameron (Rochelle), Basketball MVP – Matthew (Stillman Valley), Hockey MVP – JR (Stillman Valley and Soccer MVP – Hope (Rochelle).

The ceremony concluded with everyone’s favorite activity….dancing! The crowd joined Oregon Park District and Village of Progress for the YMCA, Macarena and the chicken dance.