Renfrew County Adult High School holds commencement
Posted By SEAN CHASE
Updated 1 year ago
The Renfrew County Adult High School Class of 2009 proved you can go back and restart the journey to post-secondary success.
Turning back the clock, 83 graduates completed their high school graduation this week receiving their Ontario Secondary School Diplomas in a commencement ceremony at Fellowes High School.
It was a milestone moment for many of the graduates, however, Kim Stevens, the Petawawa valedictorian told her classmates that returning to high school to finish her grade 12 was a decision she didn't regret.
"For all the people that walked into those classrooms with the same anxiety and fear I had, and endured what seemed like endless hours of researching, memorizing, practicing, writing and editing, you finished, I finished, we have successfully completed our Ontario Secondary School Diploma," said Ms. Stevens who is enrolling in the nursing program in September.
With family and friends sitting in the audience, Ms. Stevens praised those who were her support system. She also lauded the efforts of the teachers who she said constantly adapted to the different learning styles of their students and the administration staff who continually sought support for adult education from the school board.
"I'd like to extend my sincere gratitude to everyone who contributed to my success and say to all the graduates best wishes in whatever endeavours you choose to pursue," Ms. Stevens, who also received the Principal's Award for the Petawawa campus, said in closing.
For Pembroke valedictorian Leah Pine, commencement was a time to reflect on coming full circle in completing her high school years and earning that all-important diploma. At age 17, she left school and set out to live life on her own.
"I learned very quickly that there are so few opportunities available without a high school diploma even if you want to stock shelves," said Ms. Pine. "We all had different circumstances in our lives which led us on many different paths, but we all came together in the pursuit of success in this stage of our lives. Of this, we should all be proud."
Like her fellow valedictorian, Ms. Pine was full of praise for the adult school's teachers and staff saying they created a respectful and comfortable environment.
"We were challenged with many stimulating projects and assignments throughout the course of our studies that sparked our imagination and motivated many of us to pursue certain opportunities in employment and further our education," she said.
In other major awards, Rebecca Drolet received the Principal Award for the Pembroke campus. The Achievement Award was presented to Herberto Lima and Barry Potts. Andrew Yakabuskie received the Most Improved Award.
English Awards were presented to Derron Keon and Kathy Wabigwan. David Elliott and Shawn Butterworth received the Math Award. The Co-op Award was presented to Robyn Read, while the recipient of the Computer Award was Candice Palubiski. The Art Award went to Michael Leclair, while Mike Ball received the Best Attendance Award.
This year's Pembroke graduates were: Garth Alberts, Colin Andrus, Mike Ball, Renee Bergeron, Amanda Borutski, Teresa Boyd, Brenda Brennan, Robert Bunke, Christopher Burgess, Trish Burgess, Shawn Butterworth, Paul Channing, Priscilla Cameron, Judith Clermont, Justin Daley, Rebecca Drolet, Ashley Desrochers, Carl Felskie, Brittany Gorr, Robert Griffith, Ian Hawthorne, Jesse Harvey, Darlene Hodgins, Adam Jones, Derron Keon, David Klentz, Dawn Knott, Melissa Lasko, Kelsey Lubitz, James Maschin, Devin McAndrews, Tracey McCumber, Keleigh McKeown, Marcel Mousseau, Ashley Nagora, John O'Donnell, Darrell O'Drane, Candice Palubiski, Leah Pine, Sebastien Proulx, Sheldon Rafuse, Brandi Roff, Sean Sauve, John Schultz, Joshua Schultz, Lorelei Turcotte, Jason Turcotte, Joel Warner, Samantha Wasmund, Shayla Weese, Gregory Wetterer and Andrew Yakabuskie.
This year's Petawawa graduates were: Matthew Barker, Amanda Bellamy, Lisa Bourque, Tiffany Broome, Kevin Brown, Nathalie Cochrane, Darlene Dechene, Donna Dominey, Philippe Ducharme, Colleen Duffy, David Elliott, Chad Fawcett, Gary Griffin, Mark Hopkins, Matthew Larocque, Michael Leclair, David Lightowler, Herberto Lima, Jessica MacDonald, Neil McCauley, Robert Mullins, Barry Potts, Tracey Prescott, Robyn Read, Sarah Read, Jay Renaud, Kim Stevens, Eric Traclet, Kathleen Wabigwan, Jennifer Watson and Cheryl Whiffin.
Sean Chase is a Daily Observer reporter
