2025 Awards Banquet

Thank you to everyone who joined us at the Machine Shop on Sunday, April 27, 2025, to celebrate the incredible members, friends, and families of our community at our annual awards banquet. The evening was about more than just awards—it featured a pasta dinner, cake, door prizes, youth program package pick-up, games and activities, and a silent auction with proceeds benefiting our youth programs.  

What a contrast this past season was compared to 2024! Frequent flurry warnings kept popping up on our weather apps, and the snow piled up by the metre, creating incredible trail conditions. A huge thank you to the Hiawatha Highlands team for their tireless work grooming the trails and cleaning up after numerous storms— people are still skiing at the end of April!  

It is important for us all to recognize and thank all of our land owners and community partners for supporting all of our endeavours, year-round, and allowing us access to this wonderful area we call Hiawatha Highlands.

Outstanding experiences are made possible thanks to the countless volunteers who generously contribute their time and energy. From board members, coaches, and program leaders to administrators, race volunteers, wax technicians, BBQ and hot drink helpers, cookie donors, and setup/cleanup crews — everyone plays a vital role in creating a successful and memorable season. 

We unite through a shared appreciation for community, the outdoors, friendship, and cross country skiing. Thank you for helping make our Club so wonderful! 

Congratulations to the 2025 award recipients!

• President’s Award – Don Nixon & Virve Manniste
• Janet Rodger-Anderson Award – Robert MacDougall
• Kevin Allan Riutta Award – Marjorie Hall, Jodie Stewart, and Trisha Westman
• Jim Patterson Joie de Ski Club Awards – Jocelyne Boutin, The Gao-Cui Family:  Wenbin, Lan, and Xiaokang, The Magill Family: Kevin, Julie, and Cameron, The Coutu Family: Dan, Jen, Isla, and Isaac, The Dunne Family:  Shane, Christina, Zack, Kayla, Jenna
• Joie de Ski Youth Programs Awards – Leo Rebellato, Angelo Belsito, Evie Tenhagen, Cooper Krmpotich, Miriam Ahonen, Maya D, Sophia Bright, Niilo Luomaranta, Jasper Johnston, Lucy Lidstone, Victoria Pavelich, Harper Krmpotich, Kohen Paat, Claire Allison, Elodie Benac, Nicholas Apostle-Anderson, Joshua Lamming
• Joie de Ski Algoma U Award – Emma Malone
• Joie de Ski Adult Lessons Awards –  Paulina Dunseath, Ene Valiots-Stitt, Jeannie Murdoch
• Ski Team Golden Ski Awards – James Elgie, Neve Purvis, & Kate de Beer
• Ski Team Coaches Awards – Callie Broad & Myka Broad
• Racing Rabbit Teapot Sportsmanship Award – Isla Coutu
• Racing Rabbit Smooth Like Butter Award – Oliver Bokhout-Laviolette  
• Kinsmen Graduating Jackrabbit Awards – Ria Sanger, Catherine O’Toole, Isaac Coutu, Tarmo Aho
• Kinsmen Graduating Bunnyrabbit Awards – Charlie Harvey & Hanna D

Visit our Virtual Trophy Case for previous year recipients.