Huron Heights Grade 8 graduates should remember where they came from and where they're headed

The Grade 8 graduates at Huron Heights Public School, Kincardine, started on different paths, and they should not only remember where they came from, but keep an eye on where they're headed.

That's the word from valedictorians Luke McBride and Hesther Page who spoke at the graduation ceremony, Wednesday night at the school.

Representing the students who began their elementary school career at Kincardine Township-Tiverton Public School 10 years ago, Luke said the class has come a long way from nap-taking and finger-painting, to test-taking and now graduation. The class moved to Huron Heights in Grade 5, when KTTPS became a primary school.

Representing the students who started at Elgin Market Public School, Hesther said one of her favourite memories was the annual Christmas concert. Once the class completed Grade 3, there was a celebration as the students moved to Huron Heights for Grade 4-8. "We felt the same way that the graduates feel today," she said, "scared but excited."

The September when KTTPS joined Huron Heights, the hallways were crowded and there were lots of new faces, said Hesther.

"But we turned into a tightly-knit group that I'm proud to be part of," added Luke.

Grade 7 was an interesting year, with great performances by the school band, thanks to "awesome music teacher" Shelley VanVeghel, said Hesther. "And we learned a lot from the new teacher, Mr. (Jonathon) Farrell; and he learned a lot from us."

They thanked the Grade 8 teachers, Brent Urie, Sylvia Leigh and Hannah DeBruyn, for teaching them what they need to know to make the transition to high school.

"The Grade 8 grad trip was a lot of fun," said Hesther.

"We have great memories of our time here," added Luke.

"Congratulations to the class of 2015."

The following students won awards:

 

• English award, sponsored by Dale Haldenby - Brittany Norman
• Music award - Cosette Joulin
• French award - Abby Swann
• Art award - Macy Miller
• History award, sponsored by Kincardine and District Lions Club - Sam Leggett
• Drama award, sponsored by Bluewater Summer Playhouse - Laura Fohkens
• Geography award, sponsored by Lorraine Urquhart - Luke McBride
• Writers award - Jenna Row
• Athlete of the Year, sponsored by Dr. Benjamin MacPherson, Male - Dax Tompkins; Female - Hailey vandenHogen
• Science award, sponsored by Bruce Power - Kendon Zettle and Brody Hewitt
• Math award, sponsored by Bruce Power - Mattie Shipp
• Reg Lundy Sportsmanship award - Hesther Page and William Potter
• Sportsmanship award, sponsored by George Armstrong - Slayde Millar
• Barbara Ball Academic award - Riya Yadav
• Academic award, sponsored by Eleanor Campbell - Jugal Chitkara
• Kenzie Foster Memorial award - Alyssa Andrews
• Agnes Adeline Johnston Memorial award - Avery Perrier
• OSSTF award - Catherine Stone
• Citizenship award - Brooklyn Ferguson
• CUPE award - Brennan Long
• Emma Johnstone award - Ruby Hall-Elwood
• Pat Lambert Peace award - Jugal Chitkara
• Outstanding Effort award, sponsored by the Tiverton and District Lions Club - Mary McKellar
• Most Improved award, sponsored by Kincardine Home Hardware - Tyson Lorenz-Gaul
• Lewis Cavasotto Memorial Home and School Volunteer award - Riya Yadav
• Kincardine Inclusiveness and Diversity award - Riya Yadav
• Service Above Self award, sponsored by Kincardine Rotary Club - Brittany Norman
• OPC Leadership award - Libby Fletcher
• Engineering Inspiration award, sponsored by the Kinetic Knights Robotics Team 781 - James Adams
• Valedictorian - Hesther Page and Luke McBride