Two former Lethbridge Collegiate Institute students were honoured Wednesday at the school’s 14th annual Distinguished Achievement Awards ceremony.

Garnett Henderson, a graphic illustrator, and Lori Chaki-Farrington, a sports physiologist, were the latest to receive the honour, given to former students who have made major accomplishments in their lives after attending LCI.

The primary focus of the event was not on the awards, but to inspire the 1,500 students in attendance, to show them they can accomplish big things after graduation.

LCI principal Don Groft said it’s a perfect time to recognize excellence and reflect on how attending the school has enabled many students to have very successful careers.

“I would bet, without a doubt, that not a single award recipient would have predicted that their lives would take them down a path that resulted in distinguished recognition for achievement,” said Groft. “It would be easy to sit there and say you would never be recognized at such an assembly. You would be wrong in the same way that none of the previous award winners would have predicted their futures.”

Chaki-Farrington, who graduated in 1980, focused on how her passion for athletics began at LCI, and while she was honoured to receive the award, she said the award was secondary.

“It’s not about doing it for the bells and whistles at the end, you do it for the passion, to like what you do and do what you like. I think for me, it’s more humbling than anything,” said Chaki-Farrington.

“It’s always great to be back in your old school where you have lots of great memories and old friends. Some of the greatest relationships are built in high school.”

In her speech, Chaki-Farrington’ encouraged students to stay active, to get involved in sports.

“We have to keep the kids active. There are so many ways for people to get involved in sports,” she said.

“I think we’re moving into an epidemic where we have inactive kids and families. We’re getting an increase in chronic illness, that’s a concern for me. We need to get the green spaces full again.”

Henderson, this year’s other recipient who graduated in 1979, thanked those who offered him their help and guidance through the years. He told students he hopes they will benefit from their time at LCI as much as he has.

“For the past 25 years, I have been living and working in the United States. I’ve not forgotten what it was like to be a student here at LCI. I’m very grateful and I’m deeply honoured. I (feel) very special to be back in this building. It’s full of wonderful memories.”

“I had my first published illustrations in the form of a yearbook cover; I did many posters, many art projects. I was part of student council, plus all of the good stuff, like my first girlfriend, (and) football,” said Henderson.

Henderson has spent his career as a graphic designer, and showcased some of his work during his speech, a photo collage in which separate photos are combined to make new artistic photos. He says he has used Adobe Photoshop, Maya, and has even done 3D rendering.

Originally posted 2009-04-15 21:26:12. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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