St. Anthony's Grade 8 grads told to build on their foundation of success

The Grade 8 graduates at St. Anthony's School were urged to build on the foundation of success they have established, as they move on to their high school careers.

This was the word from valedictorians Samantha Castillo and Maya Hunter, during the graduation ceremony, held Monday, June 26, with a mass at the church followed by the awards ceremony at the school.

Teachers Kellie O'Hagan and Kim Demers welcomed everyone and assisted principal Janey Campbell in presenting the Grade 8 graduation diplomas.

Campbell told the graduates they are a strong group of people who caused her very little grief this year.

"You are an amazing bunch of students," she said, "and you are ready to move on. Your life will be wonderful and beautiful but it will be difficult too. Have faith when life gets tough. Trust in the Lord and you will never be alone. Move forward with the gifts God gave you and let your light shine!"

Samantha and Maya then took the stage and offered their memories from when they were nervous, scared and excited Kindergarten students, to now as they embark on Grade 9 in the fall, and they are, once again, nervous, scared and excited.

They talked of the many achievements in sports, academics, science fairs, speeches and the provincial testing (EQAO).

"We managed to push through and persevere," said Maya. "Thank you to our teachers and our parents for giving us a solid foundation for our future."

"Graduation is the opening of a door and it's time we moved on," said Samantha.

The following awards were presented:
 

• Knights of Columbus Athlete of the Year awards - Mackenzie Kuntz and Ryan Wheeler
• Catholic Women's League award for Christian Living - Elizabeth Casciano and Jericho Bristos
• Canadian Tire Canadian Studies award - Tomas Nancekivell
• Bruce Power Technology award - Samantha Castillo
• Rotary Club General Proficiency award - Sara Anderson and Zack Eybergen
• Kincardine Lions Club Proficiency in Music award - Julia Ferrier
• Kincardine Lions Club Proficiency in Math award - Lauren Lee
• Engineering Inspiration award - Martin Mendez Hennink
• Catholic School Community award - Sydney Thompson
• Pastor's award - Elizabeth Casciano
• Prix d'excellence en Francais - Sydney Thompson
• Science award - Maya Hunter
• Most Improved in Math award - Gordie Reaume
• Tiverton Lions Club award for Outstanding Effort - Noah McArthur
• Tiverton Lions Club award for School Spirit - Brooklyn Lampi
• Creativity and Innovation award - Ben Watson
• Dramatic Arts award - Leo Paul Meekins
• French award - Grayson Van Geest
• Media Literacy award - Rina Casciano
• Civic Literacy award - Ana Marie Morariu
• Arts award - Cameron Palmer
• Visual Arts award - Athena Closs
• Most Improved award - Braydon Rowe
• Sportsmanship award - Owen Birch
• Literature award - Autumn Lake
• Most Improved in Music award - Devin Opperman
• Virtues award - Grace Gudelj and Caleb Hunt
• Principal's Language Arts award - Grace Gudelj
• Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board Academic Excellence and Catholic Values award - Cameron Renaud
• Service award - Caleb Hunt, Elizabeth Casciano, Maya Hunter, Brooklyn Lampi, Grace Gudelj, Rina Casciano, Sydney Thompson, Samantha Castillo, Jericho Bristos, Zack Eybergen, Cameron Renaud, Noah McArthur, Julia Ferrier, Lauren Lee, Sara Anderson, Mackenzie Kuntz
• Valedictorian award - Samantha Castillo and Maya Hunter