by Karina Hunter

Manitouwadge High School Valedictorian for the class of 2009 was Jenna Albrecht. Albrecht received a number of awards and bursaries recognizing her diligence in academic studies including both the Laurentian University Entrance Scholarship and the Laurentian University Leadership Award, the Governor General’s Medal, Certificate of Academic Achievement, Honour
Roll (90%), and her Academic Letter.

Manitouwadge High School 2009 Graduating Class

Among the graduates, was Adrianna Atkins, recipient of many academic awards it is her volunteerism that set her apart from the others as she was also awarded the Lieutenant Governor’s Community Volunteer Award as
well as the Canadian Association of Principals’ Award recognizing her leadership. 18 years old Atkins was born in Thunder Bay and raised in Manitouwadge were she graduated from the English program at Our Lady of Lourdes School before attending Manitouwadge High where, in addition to her diligent studies, she played nearly every sport offered.

During her years at MHS, she realized a passion for helping others through her many volunteering positions; at Manitouwadge General Hospital, for the township’s Leisure Services Department, at Our Lady of Lourdes church Sunday school and for Ducks Unlimited.  These volunteer positions were the
springboard for Adrianna’s success in her senior high school years and solidified her dream of becoming a paramedic. In pursuit of this, during her
final semester at Manitouwadge High, Atkins spent 4 months (400 hours), working at Manitouwadge General Hospital (MGH) through the high school’s co-op program while juggling participation in almost every sport offered at MHS and working part time as a grocery store cashier, to save for college. Requiring medication every 4 hours through MGH’s emergency department, I was one of the many people Adrianna cared for during her time there, here, at times, she found herself supporting nursing staff in both the long term care wing and the emergency department during the same 12 hour shift. 

Adrianna participated in the Canadian Cancer Society’s 12 hour Relay for Life Friday evening following her graduation ceremony; one more volunteer project before getting on her way to Newfoundland, where she visits her father every summer.  Speaking to her in the wee hours of Saturday morning she said it all seemed surreal as she had made the trip so many times before but this time she would not return home. Adrianna will spend the next two years studying in the College of the North Atlantic’s Paramedic program. I asked her to what she attributed her success during high school, having found time to contribute to both her school and community in spite of such a busy schedule, Atkins said she could not have done so without the support of staff at MHS “I thank the teachers for all their contributions; any time I needed help they dropped what they were doing to be there for me. Mr. Johnson (Principal) was always there for us (graduates) if we needed advice!” adding with a tired smile “They made my high school years such a great experience.” 

Among those students receiving special recognition were Honour Roll members, Felicia Cain(95%), Chelsea Proulx (90%), Jordan Keough (87%), Sarah LeBois (87%), Alan Vallancourt (86%).  Stephanie Faulbert (85%), sisters Angela (82%) and Sabrina (82%) Leduc, Mike Raoul (80%), Misty Dawn Cain(79%), Mariah MacIntyre (78%). Among the top three, Grade 12 females recognized with certificates of Academic Achievement was Chelsea Proulx (95%). Proulx also received her Cultural, Academic and School letters and was awarded the OFSAA – Colin Hood Award which she shared
with Jordan Keough, for their achievements in Sports. 

Thursday, June 18th, students of École Publique Fanco-Manitou celebrated a double graduation ceremony in their school gymnasium. As is there tradition, the grade 8 students shared the evening with those from junior & senior kindergarten. After a supper for the graduates and their families, the kindergarten classes performed “Pirouette Cacahouète” as an example of their cultural studies. Principal Francine DeMars gave certificates to the ‘junior’ graduates before presenting diplomas to the grade 8 students, Hudson Hunter and Brandon LaValley-Gravel. Hunter looks forward to beginning at Manitouwadge High School this fall while Gravel will travel to École Secondaire Cité-Supérieure in Marathon to continue his studies in French. 

Our Lady of Lourdes 2009 Graduates. absent: Taylor Klaus

Tuesday, June 23^rd Our Lady of Lourdes students attended mass before gathering at their school gymnasium with family, friends and school staff, to be presented with their diplomas and awards. There were 3 French-Immersion graduates; Devan Pelletier, Kimberly Cashman, Wynter Fluet and 6 English graduates; Cody Oseiki, Taylor Klaus, Derrek Labbée,Stevie Weilgosh, Sable Brandt and Robyn Avis. OLOL Valedictorian for 2009
was Devan Pelletier. Pelletier was also the recipient of the award for Highest Standing Male, Stouton Family Award for academic excellence in French Immersion and shared the School Spirit Award with classmate Robyn Avis. 
Avis also received an Award for her Proficiency in Core French as well as sharing the Sportsmanship Award with Cody Oseiki who also received the Father Paul Conway award for Christian Living. Bradley’s Badge of Courage was presented to Derek Labbée as was the Catholic Women’s Society Award for most improved student. Highest Standing Girl was awarded to Stevie Weilgosh and the Ontario Catholic Teachers Award for excellence in History was presented to Wynter Fluet. There were many more awards and special recognition certificates presented before those assembled enjoyed an elaborate supper in honour of the graduates who will be continuing their studies at Manitouwadge High School in the fall.