This year’s Niverville High School (NHS) graduation award ceremony showcased a multitalented and dedicated crop of graduates. Over the course of the event, 16 community awards plus a variety of scholarships were bestowed on them.
More than half of this year’s graduates are enrolled with postsecondary institutions this fall, a remarkably high number according to NHS student counsellor Deanna Wiebe.
Nineteen are enrolled at the University of Manitoba. Others are headed out of province to universities and colleges in Toronto, British Columbia, Alberta, New Brunswick, and even Arizona.
“They are a talented group with many musicians, athletes, artists, social justice leaders, and entrepreneurs,” says Wiebe. “Their resilience through COVID, their optimism, and their desire to make a difference in this world is impressive.”
While not every graduate was honoured with an award, virtually every one of the 75 students received either merit or distinction recognitions, also an impressive feat.
A merit recognition is given to students who achieved two or more credits beyond the provincial requirements for graduation. Distinction recognizes those with an achievement of 90 percent or higher in their various courses.
This year’s prestigious Governor General’s Academic Medal, given to the student with the highest overall grade point average, went to Megan Reimer. Reimer also received the BSI Insurance award.
The Town of Niverville, Niverville Credit Union, and Wiens Young Leaders Awards, each for $1,000, were given to students Taylor Sakwi, Joseph Harder, and Sarah Gugenheimer respectively.
The Hanover Teachers Association Award went to Joel Harnett, and Ethan Friesen was recognized by the Andrew Grant Memorial Award. Both were for $1,000.
Areesha Zaman and Jadan Dibra were recipients of the Chown Centennial Scholarship and the David Alan Grant Memorial Scholarship.
In memory of Mayor Myron Dyck’s late wife, the Lana Dyck Joy Award, went to Carys Derksen, chosen for her acts of selflessness and love for others and her commitment to bettering the lives of others without need for personal recognition.
The Ivy Friesen Memorial Award, honouring a much-beloved Niverville-based teacher who lost her life to cancer, was presented to Marcus Zeilstra, recognized for his strength of character and positive outlook on life.
Derek Plett accepted the Niverville Firefighters Award as someone pursuing a career in firefighting, ambulance, or policing.
The Niverville Family Chiropractic and MLA Ron Schuler Citizenship Awards were presented to Kylah Hiebert and Aysia Richards.
The MCC Thrift Store provided two awards, both issued with volunteerism in mind. The recipients were Makenzie Christ and Malia Thiessen.
Emmi Fixe and Gabi Olfert received the two awards presented by the Parent Advisory Council.
Recipients of the Raj Raichura Awards were Riley Schwill and Sienna English, while Owen Bornn and Carys Derksen took the Niverville Physiotherapy Athletic Awards.
