Students, Oilers and Elks celebrate Joey Moss Day at school named in his honour – Edmonton

A new school in southwest Edmonton marked a very special day on Friday: first day Joey Moss Day.

Celebrations and school days, appropriately, take place at Joey Moss School. Edmonton Public Schools announced in June 2021 they will honor the beloved sports and community icon by naming a new Kindergarten for Grade 9 school after him.

School – located at 1905 182 St. SW – opened earlier in September.

Moss passed away peacefully on October 26, 2020 with loved ones by his side.

Athletes and alumni from the Edmonton Oilers and Edmonton Elks were also part of the inaugural Joey Moss Day on September 23.

Moss has worked for both professional sports teams and has become a huge presence in both locker rooms. He is a member of Petroleum for decades, after Wayne Gretzky introduced him as a locker room attendant in 1984.

Over the years, he has won the hearts of those in Edmonton and beyond, especially because he enthusiastically participates in singing the national anthem before the start of each game.

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Joey Moss is remembered as an advocate for the disabled, sports icon in Edmonton

“It is an honor to be named one of our schools after such a great role model for our students,” said EPSB president Trisha Founding on June 22, 2021. “We have been asked Edmontonians to share their submissions for our new school name and we received submissions with Joey’s name.

“Joey left a deep legacy in the hearts and minds of many Edmontonians.

“Our students can learn a lot from Joey and his spirit of acceptance, inclusion and most importantly, his unwavering dedication to his community,” Mr. Lap said. at that moment.

On Joey Moss Day, students learn about him, his contributions to the community, and how he continues to inspire others.

Born with Down Syndrome, he helped start the Winnifred Stewart Association’s Empties to Winn fundraiser, which supports programs and initiatives for people with disabilities in the Edmonton area.

Funds from Joey’s Home Trust, which began in 1988 with support from Edmontonians and local organizations, were used to help open Joey’s Home in 2007, an assisted living residence for the disabled. developmental retardation.

In 2018, with support from the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation, the Edmonton Down Syndrome Association opened the Joey Moss Center of Excellence for Literature, which offers workshops, literacy resources, reading coaches and literacy consultant.

Moss has received numerous honors, including the 2003 All-Star Seventh Man Award, the Disability Service Award in 2007, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Award in 2012, and the Marlin Stylist Award. 2015. He was also inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in 2015.

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A look back at the life of sports icon Edmonton Joey Moss

His family was overjoyed when a school was named after him.

“For those who know Joey, they will say that he opened his eyes to acceptance, diversity and inclusion,” the family said in a statement.

“Joey never judges or bullies, and just wants to love, learn and smile… Joey Moss School would be a great opportunity to pass these qualities on to our youth at a young age.”

The official opening ceremony for the new school will be held in November.