The new gym at Pleasant Valley Secondary could soon get a new name, one that is very familiar to former students and athletes of the school.
At the April 15 School District 83 board meeting, 1983 PVSS grad Clint Hamilton proposed naming the gym floor after longtime teacher and coach Ross Shannon.
鈥淭he idea is to mark the occasion of that new facility in a way that would honour... an individual that was a measure for me and many others, who went above and beyond as a teacher and as a coach to serve students from Armstrong Spallumcheen," he said via Zoom.
Hamilton added that a few schools in Victoria, where he currently lives, have done the same thing and named gym floors or walls after respected coaches who made significant contributions to students, so he has experience in the tradition.
鈥淪o my idea before you tonight for your consideration... is honouring retired PVSS teacher and coach Ross Shannon," he said, adding that he is working with another past grad on the project. "We established that as a way to honour Ross, and we do so because it was very clear that the impact Ross had made really went above and beyond.
"He鈥檚 the most selfless, humble individual that I鈥檝e encountered in my... experience, and it鈥檚 why I take the time tonight to present this idea to you.鈥�
Supt. Donna Kriger explained that a new administrative procedure (AP) for naming facilities, rooms or property is currently being developed and awaiting public feedback and will result in a diverse committee for renaming proposals. Following that, the request will be considered when the AP is finalized, but board chair Corryn Grayston assured Hamilton they will be in touch.
鈥淚t鈥檚 very clear that Ross Shannon had a tremendous and very positive impact, and it鈥檚 always good to hear stories from former students and whatever age or whatever level they had that experience," Grayston said. "So thank you for sharing that, bringing it forward and I鈥檓 sure that as the process continues forward, you will hear more from us.鈥�
