NACI athlete wins provincial scholarship
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- Published on Tuesday, June 28, 2016
File photo. On June 23, Danielle Hanke received the Credit Unions of Manitoba Scholar Athlete Award.
By Eoin Devereux
Neepawa Banner/Neepawa Press
A student from Neepawa Area Collegiate Institute (NACI) has been recognized for her exceptional skills on both the playing field and in the classroom. On Thursday, June 23, Danielle Hanke was one of just four students from across the province to receive the Credit Unions of Manitoba Scholar Athlete Award. This scholarship is awarded to students who are able to maintain a minimum of 85 per cent average and participate in at least two interscholastic high school athletic activities.
This year, Hanke held an academic average of 97 per cent, while also participating in soccer, volleyball and basketball. She also served as a co-captain of her soccer and basketball team and captain of her volleyball team. Danielle was a member of both the graduating all-star basketball team and an all-star at Basketball Provincials.
Off the court, Hanke was on her school’s honour roll, served as student council president, was part of the school’s peer helpers and tutors, as well as the social justice group, called HOPE. She also gave back by coaching junior high girls’ basketball and five and under for Neepawa United Soccer Association.
At the awards ceremony in Winnipeg, Hanke expressed gratitude and noted a balance of athletics and scholastics is very important.
“I truly believe in MHSAA’s slogan that ‘athletics is the other half of education’, and believe that the skills learned through sport can be just as important as the subjects taught in class,” said Hanke. “Playing sports teaches many important life lessons that will benefit the athletes for the rest of their lives, including teamwork, leadership, determination, work ethic and respect among others. These skills will benefit far past high school and will help as you transition into the real world.”
As for the other recipients for this year’s scholarships, Lana Mackic of Mile Macdonell Collegiate in Winnipeg, Mathew Klassen of Glenboro School and Ciara Zarn of Killarney Collegiate also received recognition.
