A pair of Chatham students have a head-start as they prepare for university in the fall.
Judine Vanderveen of Ursuline College Chatham and Jeramiah Zomerman of Chatham Christian High School have been named this year’s top graduating high school student-athletes in Chatham-Kent, winning the Dr. Jack Parry Award.
Vanderveen played rugby and volleyball at UCC, and has been devoted to her studies in the classroom, succeeding across a wide range of courses. She will be continuing her academic and athletic endeavours at the University of Guelph in the Food and Agriculture Business program.
She said it is a privilege to be recognized.
“It’s a great honour,” Vanderveen said. “There are very many deserving athletes here, it makes me proud to be amongst them.”
Zomerman said he couldn’t have achieved this level of success without support from those around him.
“I honestly feel like my parents should get this award, they did so much for me, driving me anywhere, everywhere,” Zomerman said. “It was so great to see where the Lord has placed me, and I’m hoping that the Lord will place me other places where he wants me in the future.”
Zomerman plays basketball and badminton, and excels in track and field. He qualified for OFSAA in multiple track events throughout his four years of high school, winning two silver medals in high jump, all while maintaining a 94% average. Looking ahead to the fall, Zomerman will be attending Redeemer University in Hamilton, where he plans to take the Mission to Ministry course while playing volleyball for the Royals.
The pair walk away with a $1000 scholarship, sponsored by the Parry family.
The Dr. Jack Parry Awards were first handed out in Chatham-Kent in 1994, recognizing a balanced high degree of athletic ability, scholastic excellence, and contributions outside the classroom to the school and community.
