Look who won the 2012 Medal of Merit

NEWS RELEASE CITY OF SAULT STE. MARIE, ON ************************* 2012 Medal of Merit award recipients SAULT STE. MARIE, ON - The Sault Ste. Marie Medal of Merit Selection Committee is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2012 Medal of Merit.

NEWS RELEASE

CITY OF SAULT STE. MARIE, ON

*************************

2012 Medal of Merit award recipients

SAULT STE. MARIE, ON - The Sault Ste. Marie Medal of Merit Selection Committee is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2012 Medal of Merit. This year’s winners are Jeff Giovanatti, Victoria Jones, and Larry Whalen.

The Corporation of the City of Sault Ste. Marie established a committee in 1972 to award the Medal of Merit annually to persons or groups in recognition of outstanding achievement in the areas of athletics, culture or academics, or those who make outstanding contributions to the community.

The Medal of Merit Selection Committee consists of: Mayor Debbie Amaroso, Her Honour Justice Nathalie Gregson, Sylvain Brazeau, Maureen Dodd and Dave Pettalia.

The 2012 Medal of Merit awards will be presented at a civic ceremony in 2013.

Jeff Giovanatti

Jeff Giovanatti has been the head coach of the U15 Boys Ontario Provincial Basketball Team for the last five years.

During that time the team has compiled a perfect 33-0 record against the rest of the country – winning five consecutive national championships from 2008 to 2012.

At a local level, Jeff has served as coach of the senior boys’ basketball team at Korah Collegiate since 2003, winning a NOSSA championship in 2007.

He has also co-ordinated the Guy Vetrie Memorial Basketball Tournament, one of the most prestigious tournaments in Ontario, for a number of years. In addition, Giovanatti has spearheaded numerous development programs for basketball skill development for elementary and secondary school players.

In the summer of 2012 Jeff was one of ten coaches from across Canada invited to a coach school linked with Canada’s Senior Men’s National Basketball training camp, which included working with NBA all-star Steve Nash and national team head coach Jay Triano.

Victoria Jones

Victoria Jones is considered to be one of the most talented and motivated music students to come out of the Algoma Conservatory’s 40 year history.

The 14 year-old violinist has achieved local and national success at a very young age.

She has been accepted to some of the finest summer music programs in the world.

Victoria has participated in master classes with renowned visiting artists and recently won first place in her age category at the Canadian Music Competition.

Her many accomplishments include:

• Soloist at Mayor’s Gala for the Arts, Sault Ste. Marie – November 30, 2012

• First Place, Canadian Music Competition, National Finals – July 2012

• Participant, National Arts Centre Orchestra Young Artist’s Program (one of 12 chosen internationally) – June 2012

• Winner, Sault Symphony Young Artists Concerto Competition – May 2012

• Accepted to National Youth Orchestra – summer 2012

• Second Place, Canadian Music Competition, National Finals – July 2011

• Winner, Sault Ste. Marie Kiwanis Music Festival Shield Competition – April 2011

As the winner of the 2012 Young Artists’ Competition, Victoria will join the Sault Symphony Orchestra as a guest performer at their final concert of the 2012-2013 season.

Victoria is a polished performer and demonstrates exceptional artistry at such a young age. She is considered to be one of the most talented violinists in all of Canada.

Larry Whalen

Larry Whalen has spent most of his adult life working for the citizens of Sault Ste. Marie as a lawyer and as a volunteer for the arts community.

He was instrumental in leading the transformation of the auditorium at the White Pines Collegiate & Vocational School into a world class theatre complex – the Kiwanis Community Theatre Centre.

As a Director on the Kiwanis Community Theatre Management Board for numerous years, he assisted with the updating of policy and the submission of grants for new equipment and sound improvements.

He also served in the capacity of secretary for the Board.

Larry has been involved with the Algoma Fall Festival for several years, helping with the annual recruitment of professional artists who have performed at the Festival.

He has worked with the Law Society in the production of plays at the Theatre Centre with the proceeds going to local charities.

As a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Opera Society, Larry has performed in musicals and operas, allowing others to hear his beautiful voice.

Larry is considered to be an unsung hero amongst the arts community.

*************************