For Immediate Release

McDonald's and MHSAA Award 16 High School Basketball Scholarships

April 29, 2003

Sixteen $500.00 scholarships were awarded to Manitoba high school student athletes on April 29, 2003, as part of the 2003 BEST (Basketball Education Scholarship Team) Program. Including this year's scholarship, McDonald's Restaurants of Manitoba in partnership with the MHSAA have supported a total of 130 students since the program began in Manitoba in 1995, representing over $60,000.00.

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This year's recipients are: (Brief biographies of each recipient accompany this release)

"A" Boys Graham Carter, Ecole Point-des Chenes/Doug Storey, Grandview School
"A" Girls Katie Gullett, Wawanesa Collegiate, Rachelle Daniel/Hamiota Collegiate
"AA" Boys Neil Overby, Teulon Collegiate/Brendan Duerksen, Carberry Collegiate
"AA" Girls Danielle Rainnie, Boissevain School/Jenna Dixon, Elton Collegiate
"AAA" Boys Ryan Stewart, Swan Valley Regional School/Curtis Hoogmoed, Windsor Park Collegiate
"AAA" Girls Candice Clarke, Elmwood Collegiate
"AAAA" Boys Matthew Opalko, Mennonite Brethren Collegiate/Chris Dyck, River East Collegiate
"AAAA" Girls Eleanor Topacio, Daniel McIntyre Collegiate/Olawande Olude, Vincent Massey Collegiate and Melanie Schlichter, Glenlawn Collegiate

The BEST Program is administered by the Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association Inc. (MHSAA), while the scholarship funding is provided by the 52 McDonald's Restaurants in Manitoba. This year, the program has provided $500.00 scholarships to sixteen young Manitoba high school basketball players, for a total of $8,000.00.

The scholarships are made available to graduating seniors who have excelled with their school's basketball team and who plan to pursue a post-secondary education. The solicitation of nominees and selection of scholarship recipients is based on academic, basketball and citizenship criteria, and is coordinated by the MHSAA and selected in cooperation with McDonald's and members of the Manitoba sports media. All graduating students in Manitoba, from the four classes of provincial high school basketball competition - "A", "AA", "AAA" and "AAAA" - are eligible to apply.

On behalf of all Manitoba McDonald's, Kathy Wyryha - Winnipeg Operations Manager, congratulated all of the winners. She stated McDonald's is pleased to provide continued support for such a worthwhile program and they are proud of the success that these high school students have achieved and are proud to present them BEST awards for their academic and athletic excellence.

Contacts:
Morris Glimcher, MHSAA
Phone: 925-5641

Carey Lasuik, MHSAA
Phone: 925-5642

Kathy Wyryha, McDonald's Restaurants of Canada Limited
Phone: 949-6051

"A" Category - Any Rural School Under 125 Students

BOYS
Graham Carter of Ecole Point-des Chenes in Ste. Anne, was selected as the MVP at the "A" Provincial Championships and was an All-Star at several tournaments. His team captured back-to-back provincials this year, and he scored a school record 47 points in one game. He maintains an 88% average and is the Student Council Vice President and a member of the Grad Committee.

Doug Storey of the Grandview Spartans was selected as MVP in three tournaments this year. This 6'3" Post Player averages 18 points and 19 rebounds per game and is the Spartans' captain. He also excels in the classroom, with a 96% academic average.

GIRLS
Katie Gullett of Wawanesa Collegiate maintains a 70% average. She is the Student Council Secretary, a member of the Year Book Committee and referees hockey, basketball and baseball at school. As the team's point guard, she averaged 18 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists per game.

Rachelle Daniel of Hamiota Collegiate was selected as an All-Star at the Provincial Championships, and maintains an 83% average. She was an All-Star at several tournaments and averaged over 26 points per game.

"AA" Category - any city of Winnipeg school under 100 students,
and rural schools with 125-300 students.

BOYS
Neil Overby of Teulon Collegiate maintains a 91% average. His team captured this year's Provincial Championships and won a number of other tournaments. He is also a member of the Reach for the Top team and is very involved in 4-H.

Brendan Duerksen of Carberry Collegiate was an All-Star at several tournaments as well as at Provincials. He maintains a 73% academic average and scored 31 points a game, including a 54 and 51 point performance respectively in a tournament, in the same day.

GIRLS
Danielle Rainnie of Boissevain School maintains a 97% academic average. She was selected as a Provincial All-Star and was a MHSAA Athlete of the Week. She earned All-Star honours at various tournaments, including MVP at her home tournament. Her team captured this year's Provincial "AA" Championship. She is also involved in basketball and volleyball as a referee.

Jenna Dixon of Elton Collegiate maintains a 90% average, and was selected as an All-Star and the Players' Choice Award at this year's Provincial Championships. She plays varsity volleyball, basketball, fastball, runs track and is Student Council Co-President. As the Sabres' Point Guard, she averaged 17.9 points per game.

"AAA" Category - all city of Winnipeg schools with 100-400 students
plus rural schools over 300 students.

BOYS
Ryan Stewart of Swan Valley Regional School maintains an 83% average and 56% field goal shooting average. At 6'5", he plays the position of Post and hauled in 20 rebounds per game for his Tigers. He was MVP at one tournament and an All-Star at several others. He scored a season high 33 points this year and is team captain.

Curtis Hoogmoed of Windsor Park Collegiate maintains an 89% academic average. He has received Player of the Game Awards at several tournaments and scored a season high of 30 points in one game. He is a school natural helper and is involved in other Student Council Events.

GIRLS
Candice Clarke of Elmwood Collegiate maintains a 91% average. She was selected as a City Conference All-Star and received All-Star recognition in two tournaments. She is also involved with volleyball and other activities. She averaged 14.6 points and 9.6 rebounds per game.

"AAAA" Category - all Winnipeg schools with a population over 400 students,
plus Lord Selkirk, Crocus Plains, Vincent Massey-Bdn, and Steinbach Regional.

BOYS
Matthew Opalko of Mennonite Brethren Collegiate maintains an 84% average. He was selected as an All-Star at several tournaments and scored 55 points in one game and 66 points the next night. He volunteers for Winnipeg Harvest and was ranked as the number 2 player in the province.

Chris Dyck of River East Collegiate maintains an 84% average and was selected as the number 1 ranked player in Manitoba. He averaged 29 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists per game. His Kodiaks captured this year's provincial championship where he was named MVP. Chris has also been a Sunday School teacher for the last 5 years, and volunteers at Athletes in Action basketball camps.

GIRLS
Eleanor Topacio of Daniel McIntyre Collegiate was selected as an All-Star at several tournaments this year and maintains a 90% average. She scored eight 3-point field goals in this year's Provincial Championship final where her team captured the silver medal. She was named an All-Star, received the Players' Choice Award and was the number three-ranked player in the province. Eleanor is also involved with the Daniel McIntyre Leadership program, Student Council and the Grad Committee.

Olawande Olude of the Provincial Champion Vincent Massey Trojans was selected as an All-Star in a number of tournaments this year including the provincial championships, as well, she was the number one ranked player in the province. Olawande maintains an 86% academic average as well as a 54% field goal average. She is also involved in the school leadership program, volleyball, track and basketball.

Melanie Schlichter of Glenlawn Collegiate was selected as an All-Star in several tournaments, including the provincials, and was selected to attend the Nike All Canadian Camp. She was ranked as the number 2 player in the province and maintains an 83% shooting average. She also participates on the high school volleyball team.