LAC LA BICHE - There was plenty of cheer and school spirit in the air at the J.A. Williams (JAWS) High School’s annual athletics awards banquet on June 11.
The after-school supper and recognition event highlighted the work and dedication of student athletes from the school’s sports teams, including badminton, volleyball, basketball and track and field. The recognition for all athletes featured the junior varsity and senior high school level teams.
Athletes, along coaches and some family and friends, gathered to enjoy a meal prior to the start of the award presentations. While the various teams in the JV and Senior divisions who were called up to the front of the foyer area weren’t given physical awards, they did receive recognition and praise from their teachers and fellow students, with coaching staff giving short speeches.
Each athlete who came to the event also received a small token of appreciation in the form of a shoe bag.
Chelsey St. Louis, a teacher and volleyball coach at JAWS, said hosting the awards at the end of the year allows athletes to receive acknowledgement for the hard and commitment they’ve put into their high school playing careers. The night also is an opportunity to give a shout-out to students who’ve participated in multiple sports.
Iron Shark Award
During the event, a new award for JAWS athletes, the Iron Shark Award, was given to two students - Zach Przybylski and Josh Aquino - who during the year played on four school sports teams.
“It gives them a chance to be recognized…to have the spotlight shone on them again and in front of their peers and their parents and coaches,” St. Louis told Lakeland This Week, adding that there were roughly 80 students who participated in JAWS athletics during the 2023-2024 school year.