KDSS graduating class told to be phenomenal and never forget you were once a Knight

The Kincardine District Secondary School Class of 2016 was urged to "follow your dreams and do what makes you happy. Fly through the turbulence. Be phenomenal or be forgotten. But never forget, you were once a Knight."

That was part of the valedictorian speech by Neel Patel, to his fellow graduates at Commencement, Friday night at KDSS.

With a good dose of acerbic wit, Neel welcomed the parents, teachers, graduating class and grandparents, "and everyone else who came in here thinking there would be a senior girls basketball game going on.

"I would like to start off by saying this is a huge, huge honour ... for you all to be here listening to me. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to speak. I'm 100-per-cent sure you will regret it."

Outlining some highlights from the past four years, Neel noted that the graduates started at the bottom in Grade 9 and "now the whole team really is here. The fact that we made it here, decorated with these awards and accomplishments, is just a testament to our perseverance and excellence."

He said the Class of 2016 is definitely resilient. "We survived multiple fire drills, tornado drills, Mr. (Watson) Morris constantly drilling us in class. Mr. (Rob) Gleeson's extremely hard last questions on tests. Jayden Shelton actually managed to survive after her illustrious faint during the Literacy test!"

As they advanced into the senior grades, they began to realize certain things about themselves.

"Rachit Sood realized that uploading his videos on You Tube, the ones he made in Grade 6, probably wasn't the best idea at all. Ethan Long finally found his voice in high school and now we can't get him to be quiet. Ethan Primeau finally realized what clothes are and will not stop wearing the most outrageous colours out there."

They also learned a lot about their teachers over the past four years, said Neel.

"You're always, always going to hear Ms (Amy) Snobelen before you see her, due to her wide assortment of heels. Mr. (Peter) Wolfe is always going to believe that the Habs will one day win the cup - unfortunately, that's just not going to happen."

He thanked all the staff at KDSS for helping the graduates make it through. He also thanked "our best friend, Google, for always being by our side.

"It's weird to think that we're all now graduates of this school, but graduating means using our KDSS education to propel us toward success. So, whether you want to be a doctor, lawyer or an engineer, don't shy away from it. And, wherever you go, walk with determination, like there's somewhere you always have to be. Walk with importance like you're someone people should already know. Walk with pride because those are the people that others are going to follow.

"Most importantly, don't take anything too seriously. You have to devote yourself to doing things well, but be careful, if you do them too well, it may backfire ... and you'll be forced to stand up in front of 200 people and give a speech about it.

"Congratulations, Class of 2016."

The ceremony opened with the graduates being piped in by Nathan Smith of the Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band, followed by Serena Rutledge singing "O Canada."

Principal Mark Ozorio welcomed everyone and Bluewater District School Board trustee Jan Johnstone brought greetings.

The MCs, Amy Snobelen and Christine Newton, then proceeded with the awards and presentation of Grade 12 diplomas.

The following won awards at Commencement:
 

• D.P. Arscott student leadership scholarship, Logan Wolfe
• Beta Sigma Phi (Epsilon/Alpha chapter) award for excellence in a co-op program, Jessica Dales
• Beta Sigma Phi (Xi/Zeta/Gamma chapters) award for making a significant contribution to the school, Marley Martyn
• Bruce County Conservationists award for a student continuing his/her studies at the post-secondary level, Brooke Walker
• Bruce County Federation of Agriculture award for a student who is working or studying in the field of agriculture, Frank Kroeker
• Bruce Peninsula Art Show bursary for talented artists who display their work at the Civic Holiday Show, Olivia Convay, Anne Miller, Taylor Williams
• Bruce Power Leadership award for a student going into a technical or business program who demonstrated leadership and contributed to the school and community, Greg Reid
• Bruce Power award for female student entering skilled trades or technologies, Angeles Lewis
• Bruce Power Future Innovator award for a student who achieves high academic results and who shows passion and promise in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math, Bilal Saleem
• Canadian Federation of University Women award for high academic achievement and personal determination, Jessica Dales and Eileen Barac
• Compass Group School Dining award for a student who has overcome some personal or academic challenges on the way to graduation, Victor Creighton and Kirsten Walden
• Bruce County agricultural scholarship, Rachel Eby
• Creative Hands award, in memory of Amanda Alexander who was a KDSS graduate, awarded to a student who is going into a creative career path, Olivia Convay
• Dr. A.E.H. Couch bursaries for graduates entering medical field or biological sciences, Halley Byle and Rose Villagran Becerra
• Davey-Linklater Funeral Home bursary for student entering funeral service or health sciences program, Jordyn Surridge and Megan Stewart-Kemp
• NEW - E-Learning Accounting award, for the student who achieved the highest mark in Grade 12 accounting, Korrine Mangotich
• Jordan Fawcett Memorial award, for a basketball player competing in his/her final year who made a significant contribution to the local basketball community - Marley Martyn
• Audrey and Lester Ferguson award for a student furthering his/her studies in social sciences, Danielle Douglas
• NEW - Rob Gleeson Mathematics award for a graduate who displays a genuine enthusiasm for math outside the course content, Alex Pande
• Grant Helm scholarship for high-ranking student who has lived in Kincardine Township, Bruce Township or Tiverton for at least 10 years, Michelle Hack
• Vernon Hodgins Memorial Scholarship in Agriculture for a student who demonstrates a value for the education of future farmers who will keep agriculture viable for generations, Claire Coenen
• KC Automotive Parts scholarship for a student continuing in automotive technology, Adam Stewart
• Kincardine Physicians Group award for high-achieving students entering the medical field, Craig Luinstra and Rachit Sood
• KDSS Certificates of Excellence in academics, athletic and extracurricular activities, Alex Pande, Virat Tripathi, and Neel Patel
• KDSS Graduating Class of 1986-87 award for a graduate who overcame challenges along the way to graduation, Ceilidh Shaw
• KDSS Home and School Association award, Kelsey Padfield
• KDSS participation award, for enthusiastic participation in the KDSS development learning program - Tyler Eberl
• KDSS Students' Council Activity awards, Dhvanil Joshi and Neel Patel
• Kincardine Dairy Queen Skilled Trades Co-op award - Ben Netzke
• Kincardine inclusiveness and diversity award, Virat Tripathi
• Frederick Kirby Social Responsibility scholarship for a student attending a post-secondary institution who has demonstrated an attitude of respect for the human dignity of all people and participated in groups that seek to change the world, Sana Hussein
• Alexander McKenzie award to a male student with the highest graduating average of those residing in one of the three northern townships of Huron County or three southern of Bruce, Corey Howse
• Don and Irene MacKenzie award for a student who has resided in Huron Township, maintained academic standing and participated in school life, Shane Vollmer
• MacKinnon academic awards for excellence in English, social sciences, Canadian and world studies, math and science, Robyn Mercanti and Lana Splettstoesser
• Janice Matchett Financial Services business scholarship, Sam Tomaini
• Matheson-Pioneers memorial scholarship for high academic standing and furthering studies at university, Bilal Saleem
• Don and Doris Milne scholarship for maintaining high academic standing while contributing to the school, the community or both, Kaitlyn MacKinnon and Isabel Tuck
• Mohindra Family award of excellence in the area of science and mathematics, Owen Hunsburger
• A.E. Nelson scholarship for high-ranking student pursing a career in teaching, Marley Martyn
• Northern Light Lodge No. 93 bursary, Derek Eberl
• Ontario Power Generation awards for students entering a technological program at college or university, Brett Burrows and Brooke Storey
• No. 253 Order of the Eastern Star (Bruce Chapter) award, Brooke Leppington
• OSSTF District 7 award, Delage Mowle
• Clint Parker Memorial award, presented to a student who preferred shop class and may have overcome obstacles on the way to graduation, Brendan Orr
• Principal's Leadership award for a student who shows outstanding leadership in the school community, Sana Hussein
• Point Clark Kinsman bursary for a student who resides in Point Clark or Huron-Kinloss and is attending a post-secondary institution, Ceilidh Shaw
• Professional Engineers and Bruce Power Partnership award, recognizes academic performance, community contributions, extra-curricular activities and the student's intention to make a career in the engineering profession, Virat Tripathi
• Leslie D. Ray scholarships for the top four graduates proceeding to university, Dhvanil Joshi (98.2%), Bilal Saleem (97.2%), Alex Pande (95.8%), Robyn Mercanti (94.2%)
• Retired Teachers of Ontario Community award, for a student who contributes to his/her school and community - Brett Colhoun
• Ripley Legion Ladies' Auxiliary award for a student continuing his/her education and has resided in Huron Township or Ripley, Hannah Scott
• Ripley Shipping Association award for a student entering post-secondary education related to agriculture, Stan ter Woerds
• NEW - Rick Rock Memorial award, for a student who kind-heartedly assists those in need, without persuasion, or seeking recognition for his/her kindness, Danielle McBride
• Rotary Business awards, Alex Pande and Taylor Williams
• Sauble Lodge #227 IOOF Tara Bursary for students from a Grade 12 program who have demonstrated academic commitment and are pursuing a post-secondary education, Hailey Allen and Kalvin Stares
• Snobelen Farms award, for a student either working or studying in the field of agriculture, Stan ter Woerds
• South Bruce Grey Health Centre, Kincardine, Auxiliary bursary for a student pursuing a post-secondary program allied to the medical field, Kara McDonald
• Valedictorian award – Neel Patel
• West Wawanosh Agricultural award, Rachel Eby
• Gardiner Pioneer Scholarship for a student graduating with the highest average in his/her final year of high school, Dhvanil Joshi
• Governor General's Academic medal for the student with the highest average in his/her graduating year, Dhvanil Joshi