Sports

A Night for the Best and Unsung

By Christopher Shaban
EAGLE TIMES STAFF
CLAREMONT — The 66th Annual St. Joseph’s Award Ceremony honored the best female and male student athletes, as well as the female and male unsung heroes at Stevens. As the long and impressive list grew by a few on the night, with tootsie rolls, a silver cup, and the uncomfortable feeling of giving a speech to a room full of people, they all did terrific.

The Claremont Senior Center was the place to be on Tuesday with a great dinner put on by the Claremont Elks Lodge and the class of the members of the senior center who went above and beyond hosting the event. After dinner and cheesecake, it was on to the speeches and awards.

Toastmaster Tom Hoyt told the packed house that, “people who don’t play sports, don’t get it”. Everyone in attendance seemed to all nod together in agreement as a tradition of excellence came back to the city after a two year pause by recognizing the 2020, 2021, and 2022 Saint Joseph’s Award recipients for everything good about Stevens athletics.

Hoyt read a proclamation from New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu that was presented to each award winner, then it was time for the speeches, as female unsung hero Jenna Bonneau was first in line. “Wait, nobody told me that I would be first,” said the three sport athlete bringing laughter from the crowd.

“I just can’t sit still and it’s all worth it,” said Bonneau, as she will head off to the University of New Hampshire in a few months. “All the trips for soccer and basketball and being a part of the teams has given me lifelong lessons. Teamwork, the desire to never give up and knowing that you don’t have to be the best but never stop trying are things that I learned from sports.”

Next up was male unsung hero RJ Raymond, who began by thanking his mom and dad for pushing him. With nerves showing, he powered through.”My coaches always pushed me and got the fire out of me, I’ll never forget them,” said Raymond, who will head off to the Sugar River Valley Community College this fall.

Hoyt, who began hosting this event in 1985, shared his baseball championship memory of 42 years ago on this day when his team beat Lebanon and reminded everyone that this evening, and the St. Joe’s awards don’t happen anywhere but in Claremont, “This is something very special”.

“I started playing soccer when I was like 5 years old,” said female student athlete winner Zahna Rice. She also stated that she owes so much to sports. “The life lessons of being part of a team, the character building, trust, having a great attitude and the respect for my teammates are things that I will use the rest of my life,” Rice said. She added that there were so many deserving people that could have been chosen for this award. “Thank you for believing in me,” she concluded as she will head off to play soccer at Keene State College this summer.

Future Keene State soccer player and male student athlete winner Dylan Chambers was forced to read his speech off his phone after his printer stopped working. “I give so much credit to my teammates, I have been playing sports since I was 8 years old with 4 sisters always competing against me,” said Chambers, who has been a three year captain of the soccer team.“This award is so much bigger than me, winning the 50th annual Bernard cup or hitting a buzzer beater to beat Bow are great moments, but the fans in Claremont are the best fans in the state,” he stated as his smile lit up the room before recognizing and thanking his parents.

Bob Hingston, the guest speaker, showered everyone with stories about his high school days at Fall Mountain and the years at Windsor as athletic director and heaped praise on Ralph Silva and Les Greene. “I was told that the best way to get involved is to get involved and Ralph and Les taught me so much. They taught me to be respectful and work hard and you’ll never forget your teammates,” said Hingston.

Hingston reached out to the winners coaches to get a feel about what type of people they were and his list of responses from the Cardinal coaches was just what you would expect from these athletes. “Fearless leader, unselfish, team player, genuine, passionate, dependable, goes the extra mile, family support, joy to coach, makes you want to play hard and the type of kid I want my son to grow up to be like,” were some of the responses. “Holy cow,’’ said Hingston, “We’re going to be A-Ok with people like this”.

In closing, Hingston read a short story called The Race. It was about a young boy who fell during a race and was worried he would disappoint his dad. In the end, not only did he keep getting up and finished the race, he drew the loudest ovation from the crowd because of his won’t quit attitude. His dad couldn’t have been more proud.

Stevens athletic director Doug Beaupre closed the ceremonies by calling the event, “his favorite night of the year” before presenting Shanee Taylor and Jen Ferland with bouquets of flowers for all the hard work making this event an evening to remember.

2020 Student-Athlete Award winnersClara Avery and Alex Taylor

2020 Unsung Hero Award winnersElee Grenier and Sam Sweet

2021 Student Athlete Award winnersZoey Foote and Owen Taylor

2021 Unsung Hero Award winnersGabby Savo and Brady Moote

2022 Student Athlete Award winnersZahna Rice and Dylan Chambers

2022 Unsung Hero Award winnersJenna Bonneau and RJ Raymond

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