Grade 8 students from St Joseph's School arrived in style aboard the SS Trolley for their graduation ceremony June 24.

Hub Staff

On Monday, June 24 at St Joseph’s Parish in Port Elgin, the Grade 8 students from St Joseph’s Catholic School closed a chapter of their lives as they celebrated their graduation among friends and family. At 7 p.m. the SS Trolley pulled up to the church and a stream of dazzling colours and excited chatter flowed into the parish and 16 students who made up the 2019 graduating class took their place in the front row pews.

Grade 8 English Teacher Mary Jane Hewitt welcomed everyone to the ceremony and offered the students some parting advice on their future endeavours. “Remember who you are, not who people want you to be," she instructed. "Take risks, always be kind."

Father Franjo Sprajc delivered a blessing and spoke of his graduation more than 60 years ago, recalling the obstacles that seemed to block his own path in life and encouraging his youthful audience to always keep sight of their purpose in life.

“Your teachers and parents will challenge you, let your light shine,” said Franjo.

Staff and community representatives presented numerous awards to commemorate the hard work the students had displayed throughout the school year.

A moving gesture followed wherein each student picked a single daisy from the front of the church and delivered it to their parents in the audience as a gift of gratitude for helping them reach this milestone. Many emotional embraces and tears from both parents and students ensued as a result.

Valedictorians Sabra Cannon and Abby Pilger took classmates and guests through their favourite memories of the many years spent at St Joseph’s School. In their speech, the two graduates thoughtfully thanked each one of their teachers. Pilger gave a particularly heartfelt message to Mrs Hewitt calling her "the momma of all teachers."

“I feel like I have a second family,” said Cannon as she spoke to her fellow students. “There will be amazing opportunities for all of you,” she said.

St Joseph's Princpal Keith Walsh congratulated the students for what they had accomplished and reminded them that their parents also share in this achievement for their guidance along the way. Walsh went on to acknowledge life after St Joseph’s and provided words of wisdom to help them with the transition.

“You will be stepping on to a new stage," he said, adding, "Dedicate yourself to making the next year of your life even better." Walsh reminded the students to always do the right thing, "even if no one if looking.”

A performance of Amazing Grace followed with Emily Miller on piano and Nadia Szulist and Abby Pilger on vocals. A slide show and recessional concluded the graduation ceremony.

Awards were distributed as follows:
Service Above Self - Rotary Club - Dylan Capstick
Athlete of the Year - Dominic D'Atri and Sabra Cannon
Inspiring Possibilities/Community Living - Mikaylah Bobbish
Citizenship/Lion's Club - Nadia Szulist
Chamber of Commerce - Math/Science - Emily Miller
Bruce Power Science and Technology - Nick Meleskie
Optimist Award - Malcolm Cowley
Most Proficient Knights of Columbus - Abby Pilger and Emily Miller
Christian Living - Jie-Lyn Barrett
Most Improved - Ben Druer
Rena Kelley - Nathan Beech
Caring Award - Tai Lew
Catholic Graduate - Emily Miller
Principal's Award - Padraig Barry-Murphy
Valedictorian Awards - Abby Pilger, Sabra Cannon
Language Arts - Abby Pilger
French Immersion - Sabra Cannon
Core French - Nadia Szulist
Math - Nick Meleskie
Science Award - Padraig Barry-Murphy
History - Michael Feit
Geography - Malcolm Cowley
Health and Phys Ed - Jie-Lynn Barrett
Music - Nadie Szulist and Emily Miller
Visual Arts - Jie-Lynn Barrett
Drama/Dance - Abby Pilger and Emily Miller
Computers and Technology - Nick Meleskie
Attendance Award - Michael Feit
Native Language - Dominic D'Atri and Gaige Cameron

Congratulations to St Joseph's 2019 graduating class:
Jie-Lynn Barrett
Padraig Barry-Murphy
Nathan Beech
Mikaylah Bobbish
Gaige Cameron
Sabra Cannon
Dylan Capstick
Malcolm Cowley
Dominic D’Atri
Ben Druer
Michael Feit
Tai Lew
Nicholas Meleskie
Emily Miller
Abigail Pilger
Nadia Szulist

Dylan Capstick selects a flower to present to his parents as a symbol of gratitude at the St Joseph’s Grade 8 graduation in Port Elgin June 24.

From left, Emily Miller, Abby Pilger and Nadia Szulist performed Amazing Grace at St Joseph's Grade 8 graduation ceremony June 24 at St Joseph's Parish.

Abby Pilger (left) and Sabra Cannon (right) were presented the Valedictorian Awards.

Dominic D’Atri and Sabra Cannon were presented the Athlete of the Year Awards.

Nathan Beech was presented the Rena Kelly Award.

Emily Miller was presented the Math and Science Award.

Nicholas Meleskie was presented Bruce Power Science and Technology Award.