LAC LA BICHE - For more than a decade, Brayden Torresan has been coaching and volunteering to support the athletics program at J.A. Williams (JAWS) High School.
Last Wednesday, the Lac La Biche resident was presented with a 2023 Friends of Education Award by the Northern Lights Public Schools (NLPS) board of trustees.
Receiving this accolade came as quite a surprise for Torresan, a 2011 JAWS graduate who is also quite active in organizing and participating in community sporting events.
“The award was completely unexpected, and I feel very honoured to receive it,” he told Lakeland This Week just hours after the announcement was made.
Torresan was nominated by members of the high school’s Athletic Department.
When asked what he enjoys most about coaching, Torresan says it’s watching the growth and improvement in players throughout their high school years and helping them maintain that competitive edge as they move on.
“I would like to thank the JAWS Athletic Department staff for the nomination and allowing me to share my passion for sport with these young athletes,” he said.
Karen Packard, the NLPS board chairperson said volunteers like Torresan are integral to schools within the division, enabling schools to offer improved athletics and extra-curricular opportunities for students. Those opportunities, she said, make a huge difference for NLPS students, and have a lasting impact on them throughout their lives.
She commended Torresan for paying it forward and continuing to enhance the school he graduated from.
“We are grateful for the time that Brayden has committed to supporting our athletes and sporting events in the Lac La Biche area,” Packard said. “His dedication to coaching, refereeing and mentoring our students is absolutely outstanding.”
Dragonfly Center and Inter Pipeline
The Friends of Education Award is presented to community groups, businesses, and individuals across the division’s jurisdiction each year. Selected nominees are chosen for their support and contributions to the local education system. Torresan was one of three recipients of the most recent award. Bonnyville-based agency, the Dragonfly Centre and regional business Inter Pipeline were this year’s other
