Volleyball star is a Class Act

By Lorenzo Gavilan Vargas Times Reporter

Despite the uncertainty of in-person classes over the past school year, Strathmore High School student Alisia Lush still dedicated herself to her studies and the school’s volleyball program.

Lush played on the senior team all three years of high school, which provided her with a depth of experience which she demonstrates on and off the court. 

As a result, Lush was named the Strathmore High School’s winner of the Strathmore Times Class Act award.

“She took it upon herself to utilize her skills and her knowledge and everything she learned through school sports and through club sport and really made sure that the rest of the girls were all part of this program, and got a taste of what it’s like to play at her level. So she spent time coaching and helping me,” said coach Darrell Hargrove. “She’s a mentor. She takes the Grade 10s or 11s or anyone that’s even in her own grade under her wing and just wants to make everyone better. So that just makes her such an awesome kid.”

Lush said she takes pride in learning and helping others, which is what she did for her younger teammates.

“This year, especially with COVID, I was able to be a leader towards those other Grade 10 or 11s who got to play who maybe don’t play outside of school,” said Lush. “So that made a lot of connections to people who I don’t usually talk to or have the opportunity to talk to.”

With the cancellation of last season, there was a possibility that the volleyball program could have followed suit.

“The girls could have just mailed it in and done whatever, but I was really impressed with the Grade 12s, but mostly Alisia and how much she cared about making sure that the Spartan program at Strathmore High School was able to flourish in the future,” said Hargrove. 

Lush described her time at high school as “memorable.”

“I made a lot of friends and connections with teachers that I’ll have forever,” she said. “I mean, it’s definitely strange because of COVID, obviously it wasn’t a normal school year.”

Regardless, she was still blindsided by the award.

“I honestly couldn’t believe it. I was surprised,” said Lush. “I’m excited, of course, and very grateful to have won.”

Lush plans to further her education at Durham College in Oshawa, where she received a scholarship to play volleyball. Academically, she is studying behavioural sciences with an intention of getting her Ph.D. in psychology.