Submitted by the Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association

Lord Selkirk Royals student athlete Spencer Grahame has been named a recipient of a 2020-2021 Dr. Dale Iwanoczko Memorial Volleyball Scholarship.

The Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association and Volleyball Manitoba announced the 2020-2021 recipients of the Dr. Dale Iwanoczko Memorial Volleyball Scholarships on Feb. 5. These $1,000 scholarships are awarded annually in memory of Selkirk volleyball player, Iwanoczko.

Iwanoczko began his volleyball career playing for Lord Selkirk Regional and the University of Manitoba Bisons where he was named a five-time All-Canadian. He was selected as the CIAU (U SPORTS) Most Valuable Player in 1990 and led the Bisons to a national championship title in 1991. He also played on Manitoba’s Provincial and Canada Games Teams. Dale was selected as Valedictorian, Governor General Award winner, and Athlete of the Year at Lord Selkirk Regional (Gr 11 & 12). He obtained his medical degree from the University of Manitoba in 1993 receiving the Family Medicine Award, then completed a specialty program of internal medicine and had begun a sub-specialty in infectious diseases.

Iwanoczko sadly died at the age of 30, after succumbing to Hodgkin’s disease, a battle he had fought valiantly for 14 months. Several of Dale’s friends have continued to raise funds for this scholarship which is named in his honour and memory.

To be eligible for this scholarship a student must be proceeding to a post-secondary institution and have a minimum 75% academic average. The individual must have proficiency in volleyball, while academic standing, and involvement in their school and community are also considered.

This year four student athletes have been selected:

Spencer Grahame, Lord Selkirk Regional Comprehensive Secondary School – is a multisport athlete participating in volleyball, soccer, and basketball. He holds an academic average of 97%, is a member of the school’s student council, band, and choir. Spencer has coached grade seven volleyball teams and with Special Olympics. He is involved in the Take 3 for Climate Action group and is a youth tutor in the community. Spencer was a member of the 2020 Youth National Team, was ranked 9th on the Winnipeg Sun’s top 10 Volleyball players as a grade 11 and played on Team Toba at the 2019 Western Canada Games. He has committed to playing for the University of Manitoba men’s volleyball team and plans on pursuing a bachelor of science towards electrical engineering.

Faye Murray, St. Mary’s Academy – is a multisport athlete, takes time to volunteer and holds an academic average of 95%. A power hitter, she was a Provincial and National club volleyball champion in her respective age category and has won various club volleyball tournaments within and outside of Manitoba. Faye competed with Team Manitoba at the USA High Performance Championship and won the Western Canada Summer Games championship in 2019. She volunteers with various community and school activities including fundraising, children’s programs, assisting the needy and disabled while also playing piano and harp in her free time. She plans on attending and playing for Mount Royal University pursuing a Bachelor of Science and then applying for an engineering program afterwards.

Owen Dyck, Westgate Mennonite Collegiate – has made a commitment to the Vancouver Island University men’s volleyball team and plans to pursue an Engineering or degree. He was the setter for his high school team, a multisport athlete participating in volleyball, basketball, track and field, and ultimate, and holds an academic average of 95%. Owen volunteered at Donwood Manor, is a member of student council, and has done work for shelters, food banks and soup kitchens. He was a member of the school’s AAA Provincial Varsity Volleyball Provincial Championship team in 2019-2020 and JV Provincial Champion the previous year, has won a club volleyball provincial championship, has played in the Volleyball Manitoba beach league, and for the Manitoba Provincial team the last couple summers.

Paige Wright, Warren Collegiate – is her volleyball team’s captain and setter. She is planning on attending either the University of Manitoba or Canadian Mennonite University to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree before applying to the optometry program at the University of Waterloo. Paige holds an academic average of 94% and is a member of the school’s yearbook committee and student leadership team. She is a multisport athlete, participating in volleyball, basketball, badminton and track and field. She coached the school’s JV team and helped coach at the local volleyball club. She has received two all-star awards at MHSAA Provincial Volleyball Championships and was a member of the Western Canada Summer Games championship team in 2019. Paige also finds the time to volunteer in her community alongside her team members at fall suppers and ran a coin drive to raise money for the Interlake Food Bank.

The Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association and Volleyball Manitoba work in co-operation to support the academic and athletic endeavors of Manitoba’s high school student athletes.