Pictured left to right: Kylee Hansen, Makayla Jack, Sydney Arn. (Submitted Photo/Sydney Arn)

By Ben Tompkins

Post Secondary Futures

“An anomaly”: Kinistino Public School sees 20 per cent of graduating class commit to university athletics

Jun 3, 2023 | 8:00 AM

The Kinistino Public School has a lot to celebrate about this year’s graduating class.

Three of their 15 grade 12 students, or 20 per cent, will play university sports this fall.

Sheldon Larson, a teacher and transition support with the Kinistino Public School, has been with the three every step of the way (as it’s a K-12 school) and told northeastNOW that it’s a ‘positive anomaly’ for them to see this much success in a single year.

“Something that I think speaks to their commitment to being able to achieve their marks academically, as well as to excel in their chosen sport, and definitely a reflection of the athletic department here, as well as I think the kids themselves and their family supports,” he said.

“We’re really proud of our students and we have a great group of kids out here and definitely have enjoyed watching them grow through the years and just really wanting to celebrate their achievements.”

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Larson played a big role in helping each apply for a variety of schools, breaking down the pros and cons of each, and ultimately coming to a final decision once offers were made.

He added that while he hasn’t seen this level of success all at the same time, in his 15 years of teaching, there has been a couple of kids in that time who showed what was possible, which these three girls have only amplified.

“We’re fortunate enough that we’ve had a few students that have continued on with hockey, and actually a couple with ball and I think that they’ve been good motivators, and, a good influence to show others and show these three that it’s possible to continue to play your sports and get an education too, outside of the secondary system.”

Kylee Hansen has committed to the Minot State Beavers down in North Dakota and will pursue hockey at the NCAA Division II level.

(Submitted photo/Kylee Hansen)

Hansen, who played the past three years with the Swift Current Wildcats U18 AAA club, said while all three don’t play the same sport, this was still a journey they took together.

“It’s pretty awesome that three of us can be able to do that and be able to have that opportunity and have each other as support along the way too, for sure because we can kind of share similar experiences and things like that, so it’s pretty cool.”

As for Makayla Jack, she has committed to the University of Regina Cougars and will pursue softball at the Canada West/U Sports level.

(Submitted photo/Makayla Jack)

Jack, who is originally from Melfort and moved to Kinistino in grade four, played this last season for a travelling team down in Watrous.

She has enrolled in nursing and explained that while she is still moving away from home, it will still be nice to stay in the same province.

“It means a lot that I’m able to stay in Saskatchewan, so I’m closer to my family and don’t have to retake any of my courses, which was a huge thing for me. It really means a lot to me to stay in Saskatchewan.”

Meanwhile, Sydney Arn will also pursue softball, however, she has committed to the Western University Mustangs who compete at the U Sports level.

(Submitted photo/Sydney Arn)

Arn has previous playing experience with the 222’s team, travelling down to Georgia and various places in California.

She mentioned that coming from a small town and having this type of success is pretty special to her, and she’s sure it’s the same for the other two as well.

“It’s really special and really cool that three kids out of a 15-kid class are going and travelling to pursue our athletic careers. I think the last person we had was like five or six years ago, and it’s really cool that three kids in one class are going out and we’re all really good friends, so it’s really special.”

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter @BenTompkins_8