Award recipient pays tribute to schoolmate killed in ATV crash

A Toowoomba teen has made a touching tribute to a friend with ‘a lot of heart’ who was killed in a crash earlier this year after being given an award in his honour. Read more from inaugural Gage Fowler School Spirit award recipient here.

Gage Fowler passed away on Sunday, March 17, 2024, from injuries suffered in an ATV rollover in Toowoomba. Centenary Heights State High School has named a school spirit award in his honour.

With his trademark smile, big heart and passion Gage Fowler did everything he possibly could to unite the Centenary Heights State High School community.

Now, just eight months after his death in an ATV crash – one of his best friends has made a touching tribute to the 16-year-old promising to honour Gage’s story.

Jean-Luc von Xanten was named as the inaugural Gage Fowler School Spirit Award recipient.

Friends since Year 4 and volleyball teammates for almost as long, von Xanten said the honour will help him to always remember a great friend and person.

“It’s something I could never have imagined,” von Xanten said.

“I don’t know what I think of it (receiving the award) right now.

“It’s just great remembering Gage and who he was.

“The school spirit award is something I can take to heart, it reminds me of him and what he contributed not just to the school but to every person he interacted with.

“He had a lot of heart and a lot of care for people – he had this great big smile and it reminds me of that.

“He was a person of love and joy who really cared for people.

“That’s what school spirit is all about, caring for one another, being comrades and not ever overlooking someone but instead making them feel appreciated.

“The creation of this award shows he really impacted this place (CSHS) and was someone truly special.”

von Xanten believes the award will be a lasting tribute to a special person.

“Everyone has a story and everyone’s story matters and I want everyone to know Gage, he had a story and his story mattered to a lot of people, to me definitely to his family,” he said.

“This award shows that Gage was a great person, he’s not just a face or a name he was very much someone with a lot of heart.”

Jean-Luc von Xanten is the inaugural Gage Fowler School Spirit Award recipient. The award will be presented to a year 11 Centenary Heights State Highschool year 11 student each year.

Members of Gage’s family were on hand to present the award at the CSHS Awards Day recently.

The award will be presented annually to the year 11 student who “demonstrates outstanding contribution to the creation of a positive school culture through their participation in and commitment to an aspect or aspects of school life”.

As well as participating in countless school activities and campaigns von Xanten is the Swartz Sports House vice-captain and a Year 7 school camp leader.

He remembers the daunting feeling of being a young student in high school and through his time has strived to make sure everyone feels accepted, valued and safe.

When reflecting on the award von Xanten urged anyone eager to unite their community to follow their heart, stick to their values and ‘take a risk’.

“The scariest part about doing something is the fact you have to take a risk,” he said.

“But taking a risk is the greatest thing you can do.

“You often learn from it and see how great things can be.

“If you have that desire it’s so special, so strong.

“If you have that desire take the risk knowing that someone will be there people to support you even though there may be blocks or challenges.”

One challenge von Xanten and Fowler faced in Year 7 was starting a volleyball team.

The pair and several friends were keen to play but didn’t know where to begin.

“I remember for us starting a volleyball it was a bit tricky,” von Xanten said.

“But my brother was a volleyball coach and so finding the right people to support us to facilitate, having him was the greatest thing that every happened to us as a team.

“He stepped in taught us how to play, pretty much everything we knew, he gave us that passion and love for volleyball so finding the right people that can support and build you up is the greatest way to do anything.”