This June, 88 students graduated from our region’s two local high schools—43 from Gabrielle-Roy in Île-des-Chênes, and 45 from Niverville Collegiate.
Gabrielle-Roy
Gabrielle-Roy held their convocation on Thursday, June 22 at the Prairie Rose Evangelical Mennonite Church in Landmark, followed the next evening by a banquet at the Victoria Inn in Winnipeg.
The graduating class selected two valedictorians to represent them this year: Andréa Espenell and Danielle Desharnais.
“This evening celebrates our journey from Kindergarten to Grade 12, and it is also the first time in our high school careers that we are all getting 100 percent for participation and attendance, so congratulations to everybody,” the pair said. “Danielle and I would like to conclude by wishing our entire class all the success imaginable. No matter where life takes you, savour every situation presented to you and achieve your dreams.”
The next portion of the ceremony turned to the giving of awards.
“Collectively, our graduation class earned upwards of $45,000 in scholarships and bursaries, whether it be for university, college, or trades,” says Vice Principal Joel Mangin. “We had five students graduate with a vocational diploma, meaning they earned eight credits in a specific trades program. These included electrical trades and welding.”
The Governor General’s Medal went to Mya Kryschuk, who also won the prestigious University of Manitoba’s Chown Centennial Scholarship for $1,000. Only one Chown scholarship recipient is selected per school throughout Manitoba and northwestern Ontario. The Governor General’s Medal is awarded to the graduating student with the highest grade point average. One medal is presented at every high school, college, and university program in Canada.
Niverville Collegiate
Niverville’s graduates made their debut a week later, at a convocation ceremony held at the Fourth Avenue Bible Church. The banquet followed immediately afterward in the Heritage Centre atrium.
Abigail Olfert was selected by her peers to serve as valedictorian, presenting a speech that reminisced fondly on the class’s shared experiences even as they prepare to go their separate ways.
“When I was told that I was going to be valedictorian I was 100 percent honored, 50 percent freaking out and 50 percent wondering how on earth I could represent 40-some one-of-a-kind people,” said Olfert. “Well, I figured out the answer: it can’t be done. And maybe that’s okay, because we shouldn’t be just one thing.”
Olfert ended on a note of celebration and encouragement. “We may not be the next Einstein or Armstrong or Oprah, but the world needs so much more than the famous. So graduates, whether you’re broke in college or university, an up-and-coming musician, a sports broadcaster, an engineer, a director, a daycare worker, a conservation officer, or still working at Co-op, Abraham Lincoln once said, ‘Whatever you are, be a good one.’”
Olfert was also the recipient of this year’s Governor General’s Medal. Niverville’s Chown Centennial Scholarship was given to Rebecka Lemire.
For the first time this year, The Citizen presented a $1,000 bursary to promote community engagement and encourage students to think openly and critically about issues of the day that affect us all. The award was given to Riley Hiebert, whose article appears in this month’s Commentary section.
Several further academic awards were presented at the evening banquet, presented by the NCI faculty. Three students—Abigail Olfert, Rebecka Lemire, and Makenna Woytowich—graduated with honours for achieving Grade 12 averages over 90 percent. Nicholas Tunny received the Growth and Advancement Award, Devon Schepp was given Citizenship Award, and the General Proficiency Award went to Abigail Olfert.
Other awards were presented for Band (Karsten Dueck), and Best Actor and Actress (Ben Driedger and Abigail Olfert) in the senior high drama. Additionally, honours were given out for students with the top grades in each subject area.
A full list of all graduates and bursary winners from both schools is printed on pages 32–34.
