École Port Elgin Saugeen Central School’s award winners at the 2017 graduation ceremony June 27.

Hub Staff

École Port Elgin Saugeen Central School’s (ÉPESCS) Grade 8 graduates celebrated in a big way at the school’s graduation ceremony June 27. The Wildcat gym was beautifully decorated with a floral flare with graduate silhouettes adorning the walls. Valedictorian Francesca Alpajaro gave a memorable address to her class, quoting Canadian artist Drake and ribbing Vice-Principal Kevin Wilson with a very “gouda” joke.

Exiting Principal Kara Bowles made a thoughtful speech to the graduating class at ÉPESCS, and asked parents and family members to share in the pride of their children's accomplishments.

Bowles quoted a recent speech made from her former classmate Matt Galloway, host of CBC’s Metro Morning, where he instilled the importance of listening to others. “Here’s my wish to you. Don’t forget to listen well. We see what happens to one another when people don’t listen, when they shout down other peoples beliefs... when we listen to one another, then we learn together. Bowles then quoted Galloway, “Be an active listener, a victorious listener, someone who leans forward and wants to hear what others have to say.”

In total 48 students graduated from the Port Elgin Elementary School and are heading onto higher learning.

École Port Elgin Saugeen Central School Award Recipients:

The Kenzie Foster Scholarship: Corey Ribey
The T.A. Brown Award of Academic Excellence: Khushi Shah, Alex Bromaroff and Ethan Walsh
Canadian Parents for French Award: Eleanor Smith
J. G. Walker Science Award: Francesca Alpajaro
Herb Young Memorial Geography: Madi McNeill
Gord’s Pro Shop and Imprints Male and Female Athlete: Connor McNeill and Emma Moore
Music Award: Ethan Walsh
Extra Curricular Music: Eleanor Smith
Wildcat Award of Merit Medallions: Taya Beckett, Zach McEwen and Noah Waldmann
Ontario Principals' Council Award: Maddie Mensher
Knights of Columbus: Corey Ribey
Lions Club Citizenship: Madi McNeill
Wildcat Leadership Award: Alex Bromaroff and Ty Ernst
Saugeen Shores Fire Fighter’s Assocociation Award: Owen Elliot
Valedictorian Award: Francesca Alpajaro
Michael Humphrey Math Award: Sam Flarity and Troy Murphy
The ÉPESCS French Award: Emma Moore
The Diane Primeau Above and Beyond Award: Khushi Shah and Eleanor Smith
Heart and Soul Award: Fiona Aiken
Isobelle Underwood Creativity Through Media: Alex Bromaroff
Heather Campbell Career of Excellence Award: Maddy Leger
Bruce Power Science and Technology Bursary: Khushi Shah
Rotary Club of Port Elgin: Service Above Self: Maggie Corkin
Wildcat Math Award: Clayton Murphy
Language Arts Award: Maddy Leger
Saugeen Shores Chamber of Commerce History Award: Maddie Mensher
Howard Collins Award: Connor McNeill
CUPE Service Award: Riley Simpson
EFTO Community Service Student Volunteer Award: Noah Waldmann

École Port Elgin Saugeen Central School’s 2017 Graduates:

Fiona Aiken
Francesca Alpajaro (Graduating with Honours)
Taya Beckett
Laney-Bignham Brooks
Jarrett Blue
Alex Bromaroff (Graduating with Honours)
Maggie Corkin
Flora Cottrill
Matt Curtis
Zach Durance
Cole Eastwood
Owen Elliot
Samuel Elyea
Tyson Ernst
Thomas Fehr
Sam Flarity (Graduating with Honours)
Emerson Gottscheu
Ashley Gouin
Danica Harding
Cameron Hardwich
Curtis Harron
James John
Rocco Krisza
Madeleine Leger (Graduating with Honours)
Ryan McCallum
Zach McEwen
Nick McMillan
Connor McNeill (Graduating with Honours)
Madi McNeill (Graduating with Honours)
Maddie Mensher (Graduating with Honours)
Emma Moore (Graduating with Honours)
Brady Moulton
Clayton Murphy (Graduating with Honours)
Troy Murphy (Graduating with Honours)
Shonoa Nanibush
Hannah O’Connor
Elishama Pierre
Corey Ribey (Graduating with Honours)
Riley Simpson
Savannah Ramsay-Sinclair
Khushi Shah (Graduating with Honours)
Eleanor Smith (Graduating with Honours)
Lucas Sousa
Kaden Vance
Noah Waldmann
Ethan Walsh (Graduating with Honours)
Cheyanne Woods

Nadine Morris presented Eleanor Smith with the Canadian Parents for French Award. Smith took home an award in Music and was awarded The Diane Primeau Above and Beyond Award.

Principal Kara Bowles presented Maddie Mensher with the Ontario Principals' Council Award. Mensher also took home the Saugeen Shores Chamber of Commerce History Award.

The Bruce Power Science and Technology Bursary was presented by Heather Parsons to graduate Khushi Shah who also won the Diane Primeau Above and Beyond Award and the T.A. Brown Award of Academic Excellence.

Teacher Nicole Hunter presented the Valedictorian Award to Francesca Alpajaro, who was also awarded the J. G. Walker Science Award.

Teacher Sue Jacobi presented Clayton Murphy with the Wildcat Math Award.

Liz Sollars presented Noah Waldmann with the EFTO Community Service Student Volunteer Award. Waldmann also received a medallion for the Wildcat Award of Merit.