05/27/2026
📌A few months ago I had the pleasure of meeting a young indigenous athlete. His reserve back home in BC wanted to highlight him for his achievements. I was blessed to be able to capture the photo that they were going to publish.
📸When I met Hunter he was the most respectful and kind young man I had the honor of shaking hands with. I know his parents are beyond proud and have raised an amazing soul.
❣️Here is the write up that was published with his photos :
What Does Dedication Look Like?
The Amazing Story of Hunter Crook
There are moments when dedication shows up loudly, medals around a neck, a team standing on the podium, cheers echoing in a gym.
And then there are the quieter moments.
Early mornings. Long drives. Homework finished late at night. A young person choosing, again and again, to keep going.
Fourteen-year-old Hunter Crook knows both.
Hunter is a Grade 9 student at Yorkton Regional High School, a proud youth connected to the Taku River Tlingit First Nation through his grandmother, Jane Crook, and his mother, Shanon Crook. He carries his family, his community, and his own high expectations with him onto every court he steps onto.
And lately, those courts have been far from home.
In late January, Hunter and his basketball team traveled to Melville. Two days later, they returned home with gold.
The following weekend, they travelled again, four hours away to Swift Current. Enough Grade 9 and 10 players showed up to field two teams. When the tournament ended, Hunter’s team stood with gold medals, and their sister team claimed silver.
Wins like that don’t happen by accident.
They come from practice four times a week.
They come from gym sessions on “off” days.
They come from choosing a healthy lifestyle and surrounding yourself with friends who do the same.
They come from discipline.
They also come from balance.
There was a moment this season when Hunter’s schoolwork began to slip. It would have been easy to push academics aside and focus only on the game. Instead, his mom made the call every parent hopes their child will rise to: school comes first. If the work didn’t improve, the sports would pause.
Hunter didn’t argue.
He adjusted.
Since then, his grades have steadied, his attendance remains strong, and he’s proven something just as important as his athletic ability, that he understands responsibility.
This commitment isn’t new for Hunter. Before high school, he played basketball, volleyball, and football at Columbia Elementary. He has competed in Raiders Football for multiple seasons. In volleyball, he continues to climb rapidly, last year earning silver at Sask Cup, and this year helping his team move from 12th to 6th in the province, with more tournaments and provincials still ahead.
Behind every kilometer travelled and every game played is another story of resilience.
Up until a year ago, Hunter’s dad was his travel partner, his biggest supporter in the stands. After a stroke changed that, Hunter’s path didn’t slow down. It changed shape. The commitment deepened. The meaning grew.
Hunter also invests in who he is becoming off the court. He has spent the last three summers at Good Spirit Bible Camp, including returning as a Leader in Training, working toward future summer employment and mentorship roles. He’s not just building skills, he’s building character.
This is what dedication looks like.
It’s a young person choosing growth over ease.
It’s understanding that effort matters even when no one is watching.
It’s honoring family, community, and opportunity through action.
Hunter's story is not just about medals and podiums, though those are well earned. It’s about momentum. About showing what is possible when a young person is supported, accountable, and willing to work for what they love. We are so proud of you Hunter!
And this chapter?
It’s only the beginning.
GIVE SOME LOVE FOR HUNTER ❤️ I hope all your dreams and goals come to life 👏👏👏👏
