Grads reminded that strong people create good times, during KDSS Commencement

The Ecole Kincardine District Senior School (KDSS) graduating Class of 2024 was reminded that “strong people create good times,” during the Commencement Ceremony, Friday night, at the school.

That was the word from valedictorian Aaron Urie who began his address with the quote from famous American novelist Michael Hopf, who once said, “Hard times create strong people, and strong people create good times.”

Nowhere was this more apparent than with the graduating class of 2024, said Aaron.

“We began high school in hard times, when the COVID-19 pandemic left us with the looming uncertainty of returning to school,” he said. “As we moved on from the disappointing end of our Grade 8 year, heavy restrictions left us with a difficult start to high school.

“Being stuck in the same classroom with the same people all day wasn’t the thrilling start to high school everyone had anticipated. I love “The Hobbit’ just as much as the next guy, but there’s only so much Middle Earth someone can take in a day. No offence, Mr. Wilkinson.”

He reminded the graduates that times got harder still, when a second spike in COVID cases forced students back on-line for another term.

“It wasn’t all bad, though,” he joked. “Some of us managed to complete our gym credit on-line, and I’m confident that many of us got through high school without the strain of running a single lap of the school field. As on-line school faded into summer, the credits rolled in on our Grade 9 year and the hard times had made us all stronger people.”

He recalled that the Grade 10 year was their chance to create the good times they wanted, finally experiencing high school the way it was meant to be. Sports teams started bringing home wins, shop teacher Greg Shipp mobilized an army of construction students to build a shelter in the elementary yard. “That most likely set the record for the fastest the school board has ever put up a building. Maybe they should hire him to build that new school they’ve been talking about for the past five years.”

That year saw numerous special events, the return of the Relay for Life, and the class finished Grade 10 with some newfound confidence.

Through Grades 11 and 12, the workload picked up, said Aaron. Students started to specialize with specialist high skills majors, some had to fight through the challenging chemistry and functions classes, and others gained valuable experience in a co-op placement.

“But I can attest that the Class of 2024 still managed to juggle lots of other things. Carter Frook took centre stage as our school produced two outstanding musicals, Kayley Hegmans gained invaluable leadership knowledge at the Ontario Student Leadership Conference, and our athletes preformed well with Jasmine Broere ranking at an impressive fourth place at OFSAA.

“Our Knights also showed off their brains as Danny Bechard and Ty Ferguson competed in their seemingly routine math contests, and the French immersion students underwent the indescribable experience of completing DELF (Diplome d’Etudes en Langue Francaise).”

Aaron gave a nod to those who taught the Class of 2024 and have retired or are retiring this year, as well as to the parents and families for their support.

“This monumental day, we have conquered the mountain that is high school, but it's not the end,” he said. “Now, you choose what mountain you’ll climb next. You may find others here are going the same way as you, or you may embark on the start of your journey alone.

“The path to the summit will not be easy. There will be storms to weather, loose footing and wrong turns. There may be times when you realize that this path is not for you. But no matter what happens, keep climbing your mountain and don’t settle for the valley.

“And once you’ve finally reached the top of your mountain and achieved your goals, I hope you look at how far you’ve come and remember that this school and these people are where it all started.

“Thank you, and congratulations to the Class of 2024!”

The evening began with the graduates being piped in by Watson Morris, followed by "O Canada," played by the KDSS senior band.

Bluewater District School Board trustee Jan Johnstone brought greetings and wished the graduates all the best in all their endeavours.

Principal Don Burns congratulated the graduating class and said to remember the KDSS Code of Honour: respect all people all the time; be present, be prepared and be on time; and be kind.

MCs Katie Taylor and Liz Howatt announced the Grade 12 diplomas and awards, as well as the recipients of the DELF certificates and Specialist High Skills Majors.

The following graduates won awards at commencement:
 

• NEW: Al Kozak Construction Scholarship, for a student who graduates despite having faced challenges along the way – Jada Nicholson
• A.E. Nelson Scholarship for a high-ranking graduate who intends to pursue a career in teaching – Mikaeala Hanna
• Al Davis award for community safety for a student pursuing policing, a career in the military or a related discipline of helpfulness – Maddox Burgess
• Audrey and Lester Ferguson award for a student furthering his/her studies in social sciences – Zhu Hinchberger
• Beta Sigma Phi (Epsilon/Alpha chapter) award for excellence in a co-op program – Abigail Johnson
• Beta Sigma Phi (Xi/Zeta/Gamma chapters) award for making a significant contribution to the school – Miya Wall
• Bruce County Conservationists award for a student continuing his/her studies at the post-secondary level in an environmental field – Sabrina McKee
• Bruce Power award for Female Student entering Skilled Trades or Technologies – Sinead Greenwood
• 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 – Dylan McKechnie
• Bryan Derksen Excellence in Technical Education award for a student who demonstrates strong interest and performance in technical studies; the candidate is teachable, excels in both theoretical and practical performance metrics, and is pursuing a career option in the skilled trades ore related fields – Kohen Cottrill
• Bumper to Bumper Scholarship for a student continuing in automotive technology – Hunter Fry
• Canadian Federation of University Women award for high academic achievement and personal determination – Dana Daetwyler and Sophie Twolan
• County of Bruce Agricultural Scholarship for a student who is continuing his/her education in a field related to agriculture – Peter Small
• CPF Bluewater Kincardine and District French award – Aryana Nasimi
• 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 – Nikki D’Arcey
• Don and Irene MacKenzie award for a student who has resided in Huron Township, maintained academic standing and participated in school life – Ava Stoneman
• Dr. A.E.H. Couch bursaries for graduates entering medical field or biological sciences – Chase Anderson
• Ernie Young Memorial award, sponsored by the Bruce County Federation of Agriculture for a student who is either working or studying in the field of agriculture – Callie Harron
• 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 – Hanna Beaune
• Grant Helm scholarship for high-ranking student who has lived in Kincardine Township, Bruce Township or Tiverton for at least 10 years – Aurelie Bronkhorst
• Janice Matchett Financial Services business scholarship – Cheyanne Liddle
• Kathryn Houston Meisenheimer Memorial scholarship for a deserving student who has demonstrated a caring attitude, positivity and perseverance – Katie Williams
• Kevin Newman Memorial award, in memory of a past KDSS student, awarded to a graduate who emulates Kevin’s inclusiveness, desire to stand up for others, resilience in the face of adversity, creativity, and the strength to be yourself every day – Edwin Spencer
• Kincardine Adult Soccer Association (KASA) award for a student athlete who competes in an individual or team school sport and exemplifies values such as leadership, commitment and sportsmanship – Natalie Newton
• Kincardine Hawthorne Community Clinic Physicians Group award for high-achieving students entering the medical field – Aarelyn Wade and Taliya Yang
• KDSS Participation award – Ethan Lance, Kloe Livingston and Matthew Rieck
• KDSS Home and School Association award – Aaron Urie
• KDSS Knight of the Year - Aaron Urie
• KDSS Students' Council Activity award – Kayley Hegmans
• Kincardine Inclusiveness and Diversity award – Amjad Almaraee
• Knox Church Kincardine scholarship for a graduate entering a “helping profession” that nurtures the growth of, or addresses the problems of, a person’s physical, psychological, intellectual, emotional or spiritual well-being, including medicine, nursing, psychotherapy, psychological counselling, social work, education and ministry – Hayley Johnson
• Labourers’ International Union of North America Local 1059 award for a graduate going into the trades – Kohen Cottrill
• Larry Bannerman Foundation award for deserving, hardworking students who have demonstrated resiliency on their path to graduation – Amjad Almaraee
• Leslie D. Ray scholarships for the top four graduates proceeding to university – Malcolm Lane (97.5%), Ty Ferguson (95%), Carter Frook (94.5%), Taliya Yang (96.4%)
• MacKinnon academic award for excellence in English, social sciences, Canadian and world studies, math and science – Kayley Hegmans
• Matheson-Pioneers memorial scholarship for high academic standing and furthering studies at university – Malcolm Lane
• Matt Watson Memorial award, in memory of a KDSS graduate, fondly remembered for his kindness, compassion and helpfulness; a fantastic athlete and Knight of the Year for his graduating class; a hard worker, on and off the field – Keaton Vander Hoek
• Mohindra Family award of excellence in the area of science and mathematics - Brandon Bishop
• No. 253 Order of the Eastern Star (Bruce Chapter) award - Thomas Ostrowski
• Northern Light Lodge No. 93 bursary - Jasmine Broere
• Ontario Power Generation awards for students entering a technological program at college or university – Aurelie Bronkhorst and Jake Bowden
• Principal’s Leadership award – Aaron Urie
• Retired Teachers of Ontario Community award, for a student who contributes to his/her school and community – Lauren White
• Rick Rock Memorial award, for a student who kind-heartedly assists those in need, without persuasion, or seeking recognition for his/her kindness – Jayden Maki
• Ripley Legion Ladies' Auxiliary award for a student continuing his/her education and has resided in Huron Township or Ripley – Cheyanne Liddle
• Ripley Shipping Association award for a student entering post-secondary education related to agriculture – Elijah Moore
• Rob Gleeson Mathematics award for a graduate who displays a genuine enthusiasm for math outside the course content – Taliya Yang
• Rotary Business award - Dana Daetwyler
• Rotary Creative Pathways award, for a graduate who has overcome academic, physical or personal challenges – Amjad Almaraee
• South Bruce Grey Health Centre, Kincardine, Auxiliary bursary for a student pursuing a post-secondary program allied to the medical field – Taliya Yang
• SP Armow Wind Bursary – Eden Anderson
• Susan Quinn Catto Memorial award, in memory of the co-owner of Quinn Florist who was a pillar of the community, known for her beautiful flower arrangements and kind demeanour, and an impactful co-operative education employer for many KDSS students, inspiring them to explore their creativity – Brittany Coles
• Troy Snobelen Memorial award for a student who exemplifies ambition and work ethic, with respect for colleagues and community – Curtis Lotton
• UBC Local 2222 Skilled Trades Bursary for a student pursuing post-secondary education in the carpentry field – Carter Fry
• Valedictorian award - Aaron Urie
• 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 – Curtis Lotton
• West Wawanosh Agricultural award - Callie Harron
• Gardiner Pioneer Scholarship for a student graduating with the highest average in his/her final year of high school – Malcolm Lane
• Governor General's Academic medal for the student with the highest average in his/her graduating year – Malcolm Lane