St. Mary’s alumni wins ASAA scholarship

By Greg Price
Taber Times
gprice@tabertimes.com

St. Mary’s School alumni Josh Cruz has received the Alberta School Athletic Association ‘Pay It Forward’ scholarship for $500, showing his dedication to athletics at the school.

“It involves the whole community leadership type of concept. The Pay It Forward concept was Josh providing opportunities for others to advance in sport,” said a proud Randy Spenrath, principal at St. Mary’s School.

“He was incredible for our school. He is the type of kid where you’re not asking him, he’s asking you, ‘What can I do?’ He’s that type of kid.”

Spenrath added Cruz supported volleyball tournaments where if he was not playing himself, he was at the gym scorekeeping or refereeing. Cruz was also a basketball coach for the school’s mini basketball program for youth.

“The key for him with the scholarship is his attitude of ‘What can I do for you?’ He was forever that person,” said Spenrath. “We were fortunate in that we had for him his whole high school career and he was like that from day one. He gave and provided opportunities for others. He is just a great kid. Outstanding leadership, he got along with everybody and there was that giving spirit within him. He played multiple sports and he excelled academically as well.”

Cruz is currently at SAIT pursuing his post-secondary education.