Our Lady of Lourdes Grade 8 Graduates Celebrate

*Please visit again later this evening, as the Valedictorian’s speeches will be added.

Mrs. Clare Milks, on behalf of the Smith family, presents Jesse Talian with Bradley's Badge of Courage. Photos OntarioNewsNorth.com

MANITOUWADGE, ON  – Monday, June 25th, Grade 8 students from Our Lady of Loudes School gathered, at Our Lady of Loudes Church to celebrate their Graduation with a Mass, Awards Ceremony, Banquet and Dance.

The Mass was presented by Father Manuel, his last Graduation Mass in Manitouwadge as he will soon be leaving the community, with readings and prayers by the graduates as well as songs beautifully accompanied on the piano by Cathy Drapeau.  Immediately following the Mass the awards cereomy began.  Principal Diane Nelson addressed the graduates, looking back fondly on their years at OLOL and offering them words of advice to use as they face new challenges, beginning at Manitouwadge High School in the Fall.  As is tradition at OLOL Graduations, Nelson then introduced the Principal at MHS Mr. John Mutch who encouraged the students to participate actively in the activities, sports and clubs at MHS telling them that those who enjoy their time most at the school are the kids who make new friends and enjoy new learning experiences through participation.

Student Council President Mariah Campbell spoke to her peers, bringing up some of the more memorable moments of the past year and wishing them well on their way before introducing the Valedictorians for Our Lady of Lourdes 2012 Graduating Class, Joni Adams and Taylor Hunter. Each of the young ladies spoke with ferver of their memories throughout the years they had spent at Our Lady of Lourdes, most of the graduates having all 10 of their elementary years at the Catholic school.  Adams joked about having been ready to go to MHS in September of 2011 while Hunter concured with her co-valedictorian in regards to some of what they imagined  high school could offer them.

Joni Adams and Nicholas Forgues, recipients of the Knights of Columbus Award for the male and female students with the highest academic standings. Photos OntarioNewsNorth.com

Sportsmanship Award recipients Joni Adams and Nathan Keough. Photos OntarioNewsNorth.com

Diplomas were then presented by the Grade 8 teachers; Anik DeMars and Karly Baker as well as Graduate pins on behalf of Superior North Catholic District School Board by Mrs. Joy Brenzavich.  DeMars was the lone French Immersion graduate’s teacher while Baker was responsible for the remainder of the graduates who had studied in the English stream.

A number of presenters were called upon to make awards presentations including Mrs. Clare Milks, on behalf of the Smith family who now live in Elliot Lake.  Bradley Smith had courageously fought fatal illness as a child, passing away at just 8 years of age though in his short time he had touched many with his love of life, courage, resilience, determination, kindness and other special qualities and in memory of him the Smith Family continue to sponsor an award each year, presented to the student who has shown loyalty, tolerance, and perseverance, the 2012 recipient of Bradley’s Badge of Courage was Jesse Talien

Additional awards and special merits were presented as follows:

Father Paul Conway Award – Presented to the student(s) who best demonstrates Christian Living.

• Gunnar Nelson
• Daniel Gillman

Sportsmanship Award – Presented to the student(s) who has exhibited overall capabilities in sports and demonstrates excellent team spirit.

• Nathan Keough
• Joni Adams

Valedictorian Taylor Hunter addresses her peers. Photos OntarioNewsNorth.com

French Second Language – Presented to the student with the best performance in Core French.

OECTA Award (Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association) – Presented to the student who displays aptitude and a keen interest in history.

• Jessa Clement

Stoughton Family Award – Presented to the French Immersion student with the highest marks in French. (Though there was only one student in the program, he had to also display an outstanding achievement in French Immersion to qualify for the award).

• Gunnar Nelson

Catholic Women’s Society – Presented to the student who has shown the most improvement throughout the year.

• Kolby Rochon

Darren Nelson Award – Presented to the student who has outstanding skills in technology.

• Brandon Monahan

Knights of Columbus Award – Present to the male and female student with the highest standing from our Lady of Lourdes graduating class.

• Nick Forgues
• Joni Adams

Brandon Monahan accepts the Darren Nelson Award for outstanding skills in technology from Darren's sister Michele Nelson. Photos OntarioNewsNorth.com

School Spirit Award – Presented to the student who displays a positive attitude in all aspects of school life.

• Mariah Campbell

SPECIAL MERIT AWARDS

• Outstanding Ability in Reading Cassandra Osiecki
• Excellent Use of Technology Jason Tourout
• Positive Attitude Michael Canham
• Demonstrating Excellent Citizenship Jessa Clement

2011-12 Student Council President Mariah Campbell with OLOL's Graduating Class of 2012 Valedictorians Joni Adams (centre) and Taylor Hunter (right). Photos OntarioNewsNorth.com

There were a few more parting speeches before hungry attendees made their way downstairs for the banquet which was followed by a dance.  Students from Manitouwadge Public School and a few from Manitouwadge High School joined the Graduates and their peers from Our Lady of Lourdes to celebrate their special moment.

CONGRATULATIONS! To Our Lady of Lourdes Grade 8 Graduating Class of 2012: Joni Adams, Mariah Campbell, Michael Canham, Jessah Clement, Nicholas Forgues, Taylor Hunter,  Daniel Gillman, Nathan Keough, Brandon Monahan, Gunnar Nelson (French Immersion), Cassandra Osiecki, Kobe Rochon, Jesse Talian and Jason Tourout.

Our Lady of Lourdes Grade 8 Graduating Class of 2012 in front of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Manitouwadge. Photos OntarioNewsNorth.com

RELATED ARTICLES

• Our Lady of Lourdes 2012 Senior Kindergarten Graduates
• Manitouwadge Public School 2012 Senior Kindergarten Graduates

Tags: Brandon Monahan, Cassandra Osiecki, Cathy Drapeau, Clare Milks, Daniel Gillman, Diane Nelson, Father Manuel, French-immersion, Grade 8 Students, Graduation Mass, Gunnar Nelson, Jason Tourout, Jessah Clement, Jesse Talian, John Mutch, Joni Adams, Kobe Rochon, manitouwadge catholic school, manitouwadge elementary school, Manitouwadge High School, Manitouwadge High School Principal John Mutch, Mariah Campbell, mhs, MHS Principal John Mutch, Michael Canham, Mme. Diane Nelson, Nathan Keough, Nicholas Forgues, OLOL, OLOL Graduations, OLOL Kindergarten teacher Clare Milks, OLOL Principal DIane Nelson, Our Lady of Loudes Church, Our Lady of Loudes School, Our Lady of Lourdes Grade 8 Graduating Class of 2012, Our Lady of Lourdes Principal Diane Nelson, Principal at MHS Mr. John Mutch, Principal Diane Nelson, SNCDSB, Superior North Catholic District School Board, Taylor Hunter
Posted in EDUCATION/School News, Manitouwadge/Marathon, Municipal, Northern Ontario Headlines | 2 Comments »

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