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McCarter, Baker win Dr. Jack Parry Awards

Wallaceburg's Megan McCarter and McGregor's Ryan Baker added to their schools' winning traditions Thursday at the Dr. Jack Parry Awards ceremony.

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Wallaceburg’s Megan McCarter and McGregor’s Ryan Baker added to their schools’ winning traditions Thursday at the Dr. Jack Parry Awards ceremony.

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McCarter became the Tartans’ seventh female winner in 14 years, while Baker was the Panthers’ fourth consecutive male winner.

“It’s kind of surreal,” said McCarter, 17. “I didn’t expect to win. Everyone was so qualified and I’m just really honoured.”

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The awards go to the top graduating high school student-athletes in Chatham-Kent. The winners are recognized for their work in athletics, academics and the community.

“Going into it, I was stoked to be able to be picked for my school to be nominated,” Baker, 17, said at the Ursuline College Chatham theatre. “And then sitting in the chair, listening to all the nominees for the male and female (awards), an amazing set of athletes and scholars.

“After receiving it, I just feel amazing. I’m so happy to be a part of this prestigious award and I’m just happy to stand with them.”

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McCarter helped Wallaceburg win the OFSAA ‘AA’ basketball championship this season. She also played on the Tartans’ soccer, volleyball and curling teams.

“Megan’s an all-around student-athlete,” Tartans basketball coach Janine Day said. “Her marks, her athleticism and her community service, not just at our school but also in the community of Wallaceburg, are outstanding.”

McCarter has been president of the student athletic association, an executive on the student council, and a fundraiser for numerous charities.

“Basically, anything we need in the school, she’s there for that,” Day said.

McCarter doesn’t know if she could have fit any more activities into her schedule.

“I have something every day,” she said. “I’ve always got to work around other things to fit other things in, but I get everything that I need to get done, done.”

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She was busier than ever before as a senior, but she enjoyed it all.

“As the years went on, I’ve involved myself in a lot more because I went out of my comfort zone and I was feeling more comfortable with doing that,” said McCarter, who has an 88-per-cent average. “Definitely over the last two years I’ve added a lot more to my plate. …

“I just love getting involved. I love helping out my community. I just like doing things for my school. I could really see the growth in Grade 9 to Grade 12. I just like giving back, I guess. It’s a lot of fun.”

McCarter is headed to Nipissing University in North Bay to play basketball and study to become a teacher.

She plays club basketball for the Wallaceburg AirHawks and was heavily recruited by university hoops programs.

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“You don’t think she has spare time, but she shoots for half an hour in the gym after school,” Day said. “That’s the part of her that makes her so exceptional as a student-athlete because she might only have half an hour, 45 minutes in her day, but that’s when she’s training.”

Baker will be going to Western University to study business.

Like McCarter, he became more and more involved in his school as he got older. He played five sports this year while also earning a 97-per-cent average in his Grade 12 university courses

“I personally didn’t miss many practices and games,” he said, “but as soon as I got home I opened my books or, if I was travelling or if I had a long travel period, I’d be typing up an essay or doing my math homework in the bus or in the car on the way to a game or a practice. That’s how I got through it.

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“I just didn’t slack. I wanted to get everything done before I could rest easy.”

He played tennis, badminton, soccer, hockey and volleyball in Grades 11 and 12.

Baker and partner Jake Reid recently placed fifth in boys’ doubles at the OFSAA tennis championship. Baker went to the OFSAA soccer championship last year.

“I’ve been playing tennis since probably Grade 7 or Grade 8,” Baker said. “To go to OFSAA this year, it made it a lot sweeter for me to play tennis. I’m sure I’ll be playing tennis until I’m quite old, for sure. Tennis is definitely the favourite sport.”

Baker was also busy with student council and the student athletic association, mentored Grade 9s and volunteered at many events. He was the master of ceremonies at the Panthers’ athletic awards banquet.

“He’s wonderful,” said Courtney Bovin, head of McGregor’s phys ed department. “He’s a great kid. Super well-rounded. Great academic kid. Helps out around the school a lot.

“He’s a great athlete. Just a super, super solid, great representative of McGregor and the type of kids we like to turn out.”

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