Winners of the 2009 Dale Iwanoczko Memorial Scholarships
L-R Jordan Hurton ,Kevin Stevens, Kristine Johnson, Carleen Kruschel

Dale began his playing career for Lord Selkirk Regional High School and advanced to the University of Manitoba where he was named a five-time All-Canadian, and selected CIS Most Valuable Player in 1991.  He also played on Manitoba's Provincial and Canada Games Volleyball Teams.  Dale was Valedictorian, Governor General Award winner, and Athlete of the Year at Lord Selkirk Regional High School.  He obtained his medical degree from the University of Manitoba and passed away at the age of thirty, after succumbing to Hodgkin's disease, a battle he had fought for fourteen months.

A number of Dale's friends, have organized an annual golf tournament to raise funds for this scholarship named in his honour.

To be eligible for this award, a student must be proceeding to post-secondary education and have a minimum 65% academic average.  The individual must have proficiency in volleyball, while academic standing and community activities are also considered.

This year, the committee has chosen to present four awards.

The 2008-2009 Dr. Dale Iwanoczko Memorial Volleyball Scholarship winners are:

Kristine Johnson, of the Kelvin High School Clippers, is a 5'10" outside hitter.  She maintains a 95% academic average and plans to continue her volleyball career for the Thunderbirds at the University of British Columbia where she will study Human Kinetics and Biochemistry.   She lead her team to a City Championship final, and has been nominated as a Graduating All-Star as well as one of the top 10 players in the province.   Kristine has been named female athlete of the year at Kelvin for the last three years. She has been identified for both indoor and beach volleyball for the 2009 Canada Games Team.

Carleen Kruschel, of Edward Schreyer School (Beausejour) Barons, is a 5'10" left side setter and maintains a 90% academic average.  She led her team to defend both the division and zone banners and led them to the Provincials where she was named a Game Star.  Carleen also participates in Basketball and fastball at her school.  She sits on the Student Council and is the editor of the school's yearbook.  Carleen is looking forward to playing volleyball for the University of Winnipeg while studying in for pharmacy, psychology or Kinesiology.  Carleen has played for the provincial team over the past three summers,

 Kevin Stevens, captain of the Dakota Lancers, helped lead his team to the provincial championship. This 6'3" left side was ranked the #1 player in the province, and named an All-Star or MVP at every tournament during this volleyball season.  Kevin maintains a 91% academic average while taking the most challenging of high school courses.  He has worked over 100 volunteer hours through coaching, clinics, and the marathon and has helped with the special needs programs at the school.  He looks forward to continue to play volleyball while attending either the University of Manitoba, the University of Winnipeg or McMaster University to study Kinesiology and Education.
 
Jordan Hurton, of the Treherne Collegiate Tigers, was selected as the MVP at the Provincial "A" Volleyball championships and helped lead his team to the Gold Medal. Jordan maintains an 89% academic average. He is Student Council President, as well as belonging to the school choir, ensemble and is an accomplished performer.  He holds down many volunteer positions in the community, one of which is being a Big Brother to a foster child.  Jordan is looking forward to attending Brandon University where he will study Science Zoology and Chemistry to fulfill the pre-requisites to enter the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Manitoba.

  The awards were presented at a media conference on February 3rd, 2009.