Grade 8 graduates told to always remember the great times at St. Anthony's

As they head off to secondary school in the fall, the Grade 8 graduates should always remember the great times they had at St. Anthony's School.

That's the word from the valedictorians at the graduation ceremony held Monday night at the school.

Keno Tui and Nicholas Veenstra shared the duties of valedictorian.

Representing the French Immersion graduates, Nicholas said they have been together since they were three and four years old, and formed some solid friendships as the group learned to speak "Franglaise."

"We've been a team," he said. "We've stuck together and supported each other."

He recalled the "Great Snow Fort Wars" and other wonderful moments over the years, especially in Grades 7 and 8 when the younger students looked up to them.

"Ten years have gone by so fast," said Nicholas. "Now it's time to go our different ways. But we'll always remember the great times we had at St. Anthony's. It's our time to leave, but I feel honoured to work with the greatest class in the world. Thank you all for always being there."

Representing the English-speaking class, Keno also recounted great memories at St. Anthony's, including a substitute teacher who told the most marvellous stories that captivated the students.

"Our Grade 8 class has had a wonderful time together, especially with our teacher, Mr. (Turner) Ruetz) who is always writing songs about us and serenading us," he said. "We are all friends and that's what matters most. We are moving on to high school but we have great memories. To our wonderful class, thanks!"

Principal Janey Campbell congratulated the students, and said their challenge is not to be the smartest or the fastest, but to be better than they were yesterday.

Awards were presented to the following students:

 

• Valedictorians - Keno Tui and Nicholas Veenstra
• Language arts award - Leah Pfeffer
• French award - Faith Catalan
• Prix d'excellence de Francais - Amelia Arciszewski
• Kincardine Lions Club Proficiency in Math - Shantal Stade
• Most Improved in Math - Maddy Edey
• Kincardine Lions Club Proficiency in Music award - Julie Brownrigg-Hayes
• Science award - Nika Bajaj
• Canadian Tire Canadian Studies award Abbey McCormick and Camea Waldoch
• Engineering Inspiration award - sponsored by FRC Team 781 - Kinetic Knights - Amber Splettstoesser and Ryan Renaud
• Arts award - Avery Cleminson
• Most Improved in Music - Meagan Huggard
• Dramatic Arts award - Erin Keown
• Knights of Columbus Athletic awards - Male: Everett Luinstra and Joshua Catelo; Female: Amelia Arciszewski
• Bruce Power Technology award - Cameron Lessard
• Catholic School Council Community award - Amelia Arciszewski and Kate Voskamp
• County awards - Julie Brownrigg-Hayes, Amber Splettstoesser, Everett Luinstra, Amelia Arciszewski, Nicholas Veenstra, Kate Voskamp, Faith Catalan, Erin Keown, Madelyn Eybergen, Leah Pfeffer, Joshua Catelo, Shantal Stade
• Service awards - Daniella McKitterick, Jessica Gouthro, Victer Small-Wolf, Brady Taylor and Kate Voskamp
• Virtues award - Kathleen McTiernan and Ryleigh Pumfrey
• Health Literacy award - Draeden Parcey
• Civic Literacy award - Alexa Bartlett
• Media Literacy award - Landon Hunter
• Creativity and Innovation award - Samuel Brewer
• Communication and Collaboration award - Max Colley Aquino
• Cross Disciplinary Thinking award - Lindsay Gibson
• Catholic Women's League award for Christian Living - Madelyn Eybergen and Joshua Catelo
• Rotary Club General Proficiency award - Nicholas Veenstra
• Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board Academic Excellence and Catholic Values award - Everett Luinstra
• Tiverton Lions Club award for outstanding effort - Aaron Frampton
• Tiverton Lions Club School Spirit award - Kate Voskamp
• Pastor's award - John Travale