Local college students graduate

Confederation College graduates were offered words of wisdom and acknowledgment during their convocation ceremony here Monday night.
“It brings me great pleasure to introduce the graduating class each year because each one of these individuals has stepped out of their comfort zones, enrolled at the college, and succeeded,” said college president Patricia Lang.
“We are very proud of each and everyone of them,” she added.
Proud families packed the Townshend Theatre to watch the Class of ’07 receive their certificates and diplomas.
The Fort Frances Highlanders piped the students into the theatre and to their seats on stage.
Local campus manager Michael Cameron, who was the emcee, addressed the audience first and introduced the platform party before turning the mic over to Lang.
She told the crowd that the students were on stage that evening—and will be successful in the future—because they had figured out the steps required to get to where they wanted to be.
The first step being they stepped out of their comfort zone and enrolled at the college for whatever the reason.
The second was they became involved at the college in their studies and student groups. And the third reason was they always gave it their best shot and never gave up.
Lang also shared the stories of two men named Russell Simmons, a Hip Hop God, and Andrew Brash, a Calgary climber.
She said both these men have accomplished great things in life because they know the secret to success—true happiness.
“Success isn’t about making money, it’s about being happy in life,” Lang stressed.
“A word of encouragement could make a big difference in someone’s life,” she added. “Please always remember that.”
Lang also asked the grads to allow themselves to be swept away by their dreams—and to not mistake a setback with a failure.
“Pay attention to setbacks,” she said. “You can learn a lot from them.”
After Lang’s speech, other members of the platform addressed the class and then students were presented with their certificates and diplomas:
•General Arts and Science—Jennifer Rousseau;
•Aboriginal Law & Advocacy—Desiree Alfred and Raeann Watson;
•Pre Health Sciences—Angela Oster;
•Personal Support Worker—Alexis Anderson, Jennifer Bagacki, Jennifer Eide, Celeste Fletcher, Ray Friesen, Priscilla Gerber, Samantha Holborn, and Shannon Ridler;
•Early Childhood Education—Christine Badiuk, Ahsley Bailey, Connie Hendrickson, Patricia Lizotte, Alysia McTavish, Tanis McTavish, Victoria Perrault, Beulah Perreault, Dana Ward, and Roberta Wyder;
•Educational Assistant—Mary Lou Mitchell;
•Police Foundations—Raylene Johnson, Lauren McCoy, Rene Pitremount, and Jeanette Scott;
•Practical Nursing—Mical Collition, Lindsey Coyle, Alyssa Harrison, Amanda Hartnell, Allison Revus, and Bridgit Rodrigues;
•Office Administration—Katherine Bruyere; and
•Business Fundamentals—Raymond Copenace (posthumous)
Academic Awards of Excellence also were granted to graduates who attended full-time and had achieved the highest academic standing from each post-secondary program.
They included Raeann Watson, Samantha Holborn, Angela Oster, and Beulah Perreault.
The Board of Governors’ Award was granted to Raeann Watson for her outstanding contribution to student life, community affairs, and academic achievement.
And last but not least, Beulah Perreault was presented with the Campus Award of Excellence for graduating with the highest academic standing in a diploma program.