Category Archives: Culture

Music, shadow puppets and a girl waiting at a mall

NOTE: Between STF sanctions and Covid-19, performance plans are currently uncertain!

Twenty-one students – 13 onstage and eight offstage – together with teachers, director Crystal Gilbert and assistant director/tech supervisor Jocelyn Clark, are hard at work preparing their latest drama production for local audiences and regional competition. Also assisting are Kelsey Wintonyk with crew, Mathew Poirier with the set and Morag Riddell with costumes.

The play is Shuffling by Ken Preuss and the comedic production will include a wide array of characters, with some students taking on more than one role. Music, monologues, choreography and shadow puppets will all be included in the performance of the play.

Unity Composite High School

Stage veteran Grade 11 student Emma Baker really likes the play, saying “It’s definitely different from lots of the other plays we’ve done.” She likes the way Shuffling showcases individual characters. She also likes the new challenge of delivering a monologue, which she said will require “a next level of energy.”

The title Shuffling comes from the actions of character Lacey, a teenage girl who has finished work at the mall and is waiting for her boyfriend to pick her up. As she waits, she shuffles through the songs on her iPod. Actors portray the various songs she listens to, each with his or her own bit of advice or comment for Lacey.

Emma described the two roles she is playing – Song 3, “a rapper, rough around the edges” and Song 12, “a female empowerment song.” Two obviously very different genres.

Grade 7 student Sadie Risling, in her first UCHS drama production, will portray Song 5, a song she described as “extremely happy, so happy the other songs don’t like me and find me very annoying.”

With the wide variety of different song genres throughout the play, you can expect to hear a little bit of almost everything. The variety also allows for great creativity, not only for the actors but also in costumes and makeup.

Shuffling will be performed locally, at the Unity high school, March 25 and 26, with the March 26 performance being a dessert theatre. The students will be off to Swift Current the following week to compete at the Saskatchewan Regional Drama Festival, so they would appreciate a good send-off from their hometown crowd.

UCHS drama

Emma said, “I really like going to competition.” Meeting people, seeing the other plays, taking part in workshops and enjoying a dance are some of the things she looks forward to.

This will be Sadie’s first drama competition but, so far at least, nerves are not a factor. She thinks she will enjoy it more than performing at home where people clap and go home. At the drama festival, “you actually get a mark” and other feedback, she noted.

High school drama draws students from all grades to work together for a common purpose. Emma said that’s one of the benefits of being involved in drama – “the sense of community, like a sports team.” She appreciates the many friendships built on and off the stage. She added being able to speak in front of people is a good skill to have and “personally I have gained a lot of confidence.”

Battle of the Blades

NOTE: There are additional photos in today’s Press-Herald newspaper.

The Unity Skating Club hosted a Battle of the Blades competition at the Unity Community Centre, in Unity SK, January 10. Eight senior skaters were paired up with male volunteers from the community for an evening which delighted the audience of some 500.

Each pair had to perform a compulsory dance – either the Baby Blues, Dutch Waltz or Canasta – as well as a free skate routine with some required elements such as a lift and a spiral.

Every act was a hit with the crowd. The top three were so close that organizers had to count the votes three times to confirm who were the winners.

Here we have the ultimate champions, Cory Wildeman and Raicky Baes, acknowledging the crowd before beginning their free skate routine.

Unity Skating Club

More Cory & Raicky pics here:http://unitystories.com/battle-of-the-blades-extra-fun/raicky-and-cory-2/

Father and daughter Robert and Makayla Bakken adding a little humour into their routine.Unity SK figure skating

More Rob and Makayla pics here: http://unitystories.com/battle-of-the-blades-extra-fun/makayla-and-rob/

Kira Mielke and Joshua Lacoursieredoing some interpretative dance during their free skate.

free skate

More Kira and Josh photos here: http://unitystories.com/battle-of-the-blades-extra-fun/kira-and-josh/

Devyn McLean and Ash Cooper, in disco gear, performing the required spiral.

figure skating spirals

More Devyn and Ash photos here: http://unitystories.com/battle-of-the-blades-extra-fun/devyn-and-ash/.

Curtis Sieben and Jenna Horner, bringing their program to an end with a flourish, “sliding into base” to the Centrefield song.

baseball on ice

More Curtis and Jenna pics here: http://unitystories.com/battle-of-the-blades-extra-fun/jenna-and-curtis/

Gerald Hauta and Grace Lindsay in a partners’ spin.

partners spin

More Gerald and Grace photos here: http://unitystories.com/battle-of-the-blades-extra-fun/grace-and-gerald/

Emily Smith and Scott Gilbert skating to the Austin Powers theme song.

dancing on ice

More Emily and Scott photos here: http://unitystories.com/battle-of-the-blades-extra-fun/emily-and-scott/

Erika Bretzer and Garan Rewerts performing the spread eagle.

spread eagle

More Erika and Garan pics here: http://unitystories.com/battle-of-the-blades-extra-fun/erika-and-garan/

SEE ALSO: http://unitystories.com/battle-of-the-blades-extra-fun/

Saskatchewan Reptile Show in Unity, SK

The Unity branch of the Wheatland Regional Library hosted the Saskatchewan Reptile Show’s Leo McCullough and seven of his reptiles in Unity, SK, July 30. The popularity of this event meant the show moved from the library to outside the Town of Unity offices.

For details on the reptiles at the Reptile Show, see the August 16th issue of the Unity Wilkie Press-Herald.

reptiles in Unity 0777 reptile 1 with crowd 0780 reptile crowd

lizards, snakes, tortoise, turtle, toad, tegu 0783 reptile2 with audience faces 0786 reptile turtle with audience faces 0805 reptile snake1 0831 reptile snake2 with audience faces 0838 reptile snake3 cu 0849 reptile toad 0855 reptile tortoise 0869 reptile tartantula 0882 reptile pet

Other moments at UCHS grad ceremonies

The Cap and Gown ceremonies for the Unity Composite High School Class of 2019 were held at the school, June 28, with 36 students graduating.

Class of 2019

Jenifer Deuchar and Megan Bazley led the singing of O Canada.

O Canada

Brayden Schultz thanked teachers and parents, on behalf of the graduating class.

cap & gown

Principal Aaron Melnyk addressed the graduates.

formal graduation

Mrs. R (Maureen Robertson) was happy to attend to hand out some bursaries.

Mrs. R.

Kabri Rutley delivered the valedictory address.

Class of 2019

Having fun, even at the formal ceremonies!

graduates

UCHS

UCHS Grad – awarding of 2019 scholarships, Part 4 of 4

Jimmy & Ethel Anderson Memorial Bursary (Order of the Eastern Star), presented by Carol Burns to Megan Bazley.award

Jimmy & Ethel Anderson Memorial Bursary  (Masonic Lodge), presented by Norman Potter to Paris Volk.

Mason

The Isabel Anderson Physical Sciences Bursary (Masonic Lodge), presented by Norman Potter to Marco Sin.bursary

The Isabel Anderson Physical Sciences Bursary (Masonic Lodge), presented by Norman Potter to Dallas Spendelow.

8134 norm dallas

The Tommy Rutherford Masonic Bursary, presented by Norman Potter to Lauren Gartner.

graduation 2019

The Tommy Rutherford Masonic Scholarship, presented by Norman Potter to Brianna Bakken.

Masonic Lodge awards

The John Coid Masonic Memorial Bursary, presented by Norman Potter to Bianca Dillo.

multiple awards

The Candace Heitt Sports Bursary, presented by Donna Boser-Kelly to Jordan Heitt.

Heitt

Our Lady of the Prairies Scholarship, presented to Bianca Dillo.

8173 dillo

Grade 12 Proficiency Award and Honour Cord, presented by Principal Aaron Melynyk to Kabri Rutley.

Honour Cord

Governor General Academic Medal, presented by Principal Aaron Melynyk to Kabri Rutley.

governor general academic medal

See also:

http://unitystories.com/uchs-grad-scholarships-1-4/

http://unitystories.com/uchs-grad-awarding-of-2019-scholarships-part-2-of-4/

http://unitystories.com/uchs-grad-awarding-of-2019-scholarships-part-3-of-4/

 

UCHS Grad – awarding of 2019 scholarships, Part 3 of 4

Order of the Royal Purple Elks Bursary, presented by Elaine Sperle to Ethan Scherr.

bursary

Unity Agricultural Society Scholarship, presented by Elaine Sperle to Raedyn Brown.

UCHS grad

Ed Burnell & Family Bursary, presented by Ron Wesolowski to Raedyn Brown.

Unity Composite High School

Albert G Burnell/Steven Wesolowski Bursary, presented by Ron Wesolowski to Breanna Elder.

bursary

CUPE 4747 Scholarship, presented by Anne Keikam to Kabri Rutley.

scholarshipDowntown Medical Clinic Scholarships, presented by Dr. Lyle Williams  to Kabri Rutley and Bianca Dillo.

scholarship

scholarship

Unity Knights of Columbus Bursary, presented to Lauren Gartner and Brayden Schultz.

grad 2019

Knights of Columbus

Royal Canadian Legion, Unity Branch #90 Bursaries, presented by Melody Schatz to Paris Volk and Courtney Smith.

cap and gown

cap and gown graduation

Unity Dental Clinic Scholarship, presented by Kendra Wack to Bianca Dillo.

award presentation

Battlefords Dance Festival Association Scholarship, presented to Presli O’Donnell.

UCHS

See also:

http://unitystories.com/uchs-grad-scholarships-1-4/

http://unitystories.com/uchs-grad-awarding-of-2019-scholarships-part-2-of-4/

http://unitystories.com/uchs-grad-awarding-of-2019-scholarships-part-4-of-4/

 

 

UCHS Grad – awarding of 2019 scholarships, Part 2 of 4

Saskatchewan Youth Apprenticeship Scholarships, presented by Ruth Weber to Ethan Scherr, Jaxon Bertoia and Joel Timmermans

apprenticeship

youth apprenticeship

youth apprenticeshipUnity Wildlife Federation Bursary, presented by Sheldon Heck to Breanna Elder.

Unity Composite High School

UCHS Volleyball Alumni Scholarship, presented by Cody Belliveau to Kabri Rutley.

high school gradUnity School of Dance Scholarship, presented by Tania Heck to Presli O’Donnell.

dancer

Innovation Credit Union Scholarship, presented to Brianna Bakken.

UCHSDelta Co-op Employee Scholarships, presented by Keith Wilson to Merkayle Lakinger and Paris Volk.

co-op employees

Delta Co-op Scavenolarship, presented by Keith Wilson to Brianna Bakken and Paris Volk.

Delta Co-op

Unity Lions Club Scholarship, presented by Keith Wilson to Kabri Rutley.

8029 keith

Unity Lions Club Bursary, presented by Keith Wilson to Jordan Heitt.

Unity Lions Club

PDG John Coid Memorial Bursary, Unity Lions Club, presented by Keith Wilson to Lymbert Balagtas.

memorial bursary

See also:

http://unitystories.com/uchs-grad-scholarships-1-4/

http://unitystories.com/uchs-grad-awarding-of-2019-scholarships-part-3-of-4/

http://unitystories.com/uchs-grad-awarding-of-2019-scholarships-part-4-of-4/

 

 

 

UCHS Grad – awarding of 2019 scholarships, Part 1 of 4

Living Sky School Division No. 202 Board Scholarship, presented by Ronna Pethick to Abby Stifter.UCHS grad

Unity Credit Union Scholarships, presented by Gerald Hauta to Kabri Rutley and Ethan Scherr.

Unity SK

Unity SK

St. Peter’s CWL Bursary presented to Bianca Dillo.high school graduationUnity Health Care Auxiliary Bursary presented by Sandra Glassford to Kabri Rutley and Bianca Dillo.

scholarshipshigh school grad

Matthew Borden Bursary, presented by Vicki Orobko to Jenifer Deucharaward winnerUCHS Leadership and Dedication Awards, presented by Greg Bick to Tyson Moon and Anne Marie David to Courtney Smith.

UCHS Grade 12 awardUCHS Grade 12 award

Jenai Danielle Bounting Bursary presented by Maureen Robertson to Courtney Smith.

bursaries

David Ray Surine Bursary, presented by Maureen Robertson to Kale Berger.

bursariesJeffrey Glen Bounting Bursary, presented by Maureen Robertson to Megan Bazley.

bursary

See also:

http://unitystories.com/uchs-grad-awarding-of-2019-scholarships-part-2-of-4/

http://unitystories.com/uchs-grad-awarding-of-2019-scholarships-part-3-of-4/

http://unitystories.com/uchs-grad-awarding-of-2019-scholarships-part-4-of-4/

 

Unity Western Days rodeo

The 38th annual Western Days rodeo took place in Unity, Saskatchewan, June 1 and 2, 2019, with all the usual rodeo events, cowboys, cowgirls, horses, thrills and spills.

The rodeo was preceded by the Unity Citizen of the Year roast beef dinner May 31. Congratulations, Vern and Sadie Burns.

At Agroplex, Unity SK

Saturday, before the rodeo, was Unity’s annual parade – see parade photos  at http://unitystories.com/2019-western-days-parade/.

For rodeo action shots, select your favourite event and enjoy reliving the excitement!

Bronc riding: http://unitystories.com/unity-western-days-rodeo-bronc-riding/

Roping: http://unitystories.com/unity-western-days-roping-events/

Steer wrestling: http://unitystories.com/unity-western-days-rodeo-steer-wrestling/

Steer riding: http://unitystories.com/unity-western-days-rodeo-steer-riding/

Barrel racing: http://unitystories.com/unity-western-days-rodeo-barrel-racing/

Bull riding: http://unitystories.com/westerndays-bull-riding/