Elliott Hartell: A Young Leader in Sports and Community

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By Martin Cleary

If you were to break down the last six years of Elliott Hartell’s enjoyable teenage experience into four main areas, it would look something like this – education, basketball, volunteering, and music, not necessarily in that order.

Glebe Collegiate Institute has played a significant part in helping him thrive as a student, athlete, and mentor for peers with special needs by integrating them into daily high school life.

Outside of school, Hartell has a passion for music, particularly playing the guitar. For the past four years, he participated in the seven-week Bluesfest School of Music and Art program, where a small group of students created two songs to perform on the last night of Bluesfest.

At his Grade 12 graduation in June, Hartell said goodbye to Glebe after four years filled with opportunities that led to unforgettable moments both on the basketball court and within the classroom while making a difference for students with developmental and physical disabilities.

As a student, he graduated with an impressive average of 94.4 percent while receiving numerous accolades – including the Michael O’Meara Award for athletic and community achievements, Principal’s leadership award, Principal’s citation, French immersion certificate, Ontario scholar certificate, Silver Medal for maintaining an academic average of at least 90 percent or more from his school, along with the equity unity award.

On the basketball court, he spent three years playing point guard for the Gryphons boys’ senior team under head coach Alex Overwijk. Hartell valued being part of an intense 50-game season that included many tournaments beyond regular league play.

Though Hartell was accepted into Queen’s University and Mc Gill University to study kinesiology starting in 2025-26 academic year, he decided to take a gap year instead.

Elliott Hartell. Photo: John Sims

However, he’s enrolled in Canada Topflight Academy prep school program to hone his basketball skills aiming to join a U Sports university team by 2026-27.

One fascinating aspect of Hartell’s journey has been his commitment to improving the lives of ten students with developmental and physical disabilities within his school’s community living program. The ages of these students range up to 21.

At the beginning of Grade 10, Glebe education assistant Angela Nixon invited Hartell to lead as captain of the Unified Champion Schools program. He gladly took on this role by introducing students to five different sports throughout the school year while weaving them into everyday school activities.

“I got started because of a coincidence. At the end of Grade 9 I helped at the athletic banquet. I ran into EA (Nixon), who managed (the Unified) program,” Hartell shared during a phone interview on Wednesday. “She told me to send her an email when I started Grade 10. She put me in charge of Unified sports.”

Over three years with regular participation at Glebe events , the program expanded from six students wanting coaching support in community living classes up to sixty participants wanting involvement. Every couple months Hartell guided his team through new sports such as soccer , floor hockey , basketball , bocce or track and field.

Elliott Hartell outside Glebe Collegiate. Photo: John Sims

“I began as captain during Grade 10 where I led practices while also organizing tournament participation,” he explained further. “I worked on promoting our team within our community … (and focused) on inclusivity along with fair play.”

The support staff grew alongside this initiative because Hartell integrated his team into daily routines at Glebe.

“They (coaches) would spend time hanging out with kids which boosted their spirits. People enjoyed being around our team; it felt awesome.”

Hartell’s dedication did not go unnoticed by Special Olympics Ontario.

In early September , he received news that he had been selected as recipient for unified partner award recognizing leadership qualities along side contributions made towards athletes plus communities surrounding Special Olympics. The award ceremony is set for Oct.23 held Aurora , ON.

About week later both Ontario Hockey League & Special Olympics Ontario announced Elliott was amongst five winners receiving David Branch Leadership Scholarship. Branch served OHL commissioner during forty-five seasons while advocating educational endeavors inclusion personal growth.

He will be awarded $5K scholarship upon entering university. Hartel was recognized due mainly because commitment towards inclusiveness&growth embodies values championed throughout David Branch’s career not just limited hockey.Glebe CI Special Olympics program. Photo: John Sims

Hartel expressed gratitude toward supportive family members who have continuously encouraged him even through surprises stemming from awards yet felt most honored simply enjoying uplifting experiences shared among fellow student teammates daily.

“ In my three-year run I’d say at day’s end those interactions enriched me tremendously ”with enthusiasm added “Their positivity energy inspired living fully each moment ! Each day left feeling much better than arriving.”

“They formed vital connections throughout rather than remaining isolated sections. I’m passionate about inclusivity ensuring everyone gets access sporting activities which matters deeply !”< When enrolling universities, Hartel hopes not only join men’s varsity basketball teams but also participate motionball U supporting Special Olympics via creating inclusive social fundraising initiatives surrounding sporting events occurring campus wide.

This article is part Ottawa Sports Pages’ Inclusion Sport series. Read more local sport inclusion initiatives via : Ottawa Sports Pages. ca/Ottawa-Sports-Pages-Inclusion-In-Sport-Series/.