OLW holds graduation ceremony

The gymnasium at Our Lady of the Way School was filled for the graduation exercise of the Class of 2003 last Monday evening.
The facility was decorated with blue and white streamers and balloons (the school’s colours).
This year’s Grade 8 graduates were Chad Blackburde, Chantelle Bragg, William Brandon, Curtis Cochrane, Corey Fehr, Robert Gavel, Chantel Heyens, Hailey Heyens, Cameron Jolicouer, Brandon McGee, Tyrell Mowe, Patricia O’Connor, Ashley Sharp, Michael Sopotiuck, Kristie Tesarsky, and Allyson Wilson.
The ceremony opened with a prayer by Fr. James Panikulam, followed by greetings from the Catholic school board by Mark Chojko-Bolec.
The salutatory address was given by Ashley Sharp and Curtis Cochrane, and the valedictory address by Robert Gavel.
The Award of St. Peter, presented by Nicole Wood, went to Kristina Burner and Ursula Chojko-Bolec.
Proficiency in Ojibwe award, presented by Mrs. Irene Indian, went to Allyson Wilson while the Proficiency in French award, presented by Mr. Patrick Tougas, went to Patricia O’Connor and Kristie Tesarsky.
The top male/female athlete and track/field Award were presented by Mrs. Donna Davidson to William Brandon, Curtis Cochrane, Chantel Heyens, and William Brandon, respectively.
The School Council Fine Arts award was presented by Jody Jolicouer to Hailey Heyens.
Christian Attitude awards were presented to Chantelle Bragg (by Emo CWL member Jo Bragg) and to Patricia O’Connor (by Rainy River CWL member Mrs. Denise Usiski).
The Fr. Florentin Council #9556 award, presented by Ron O’Connor, went to Tyrell Mowe.
Brandon McGee received the Most Improved award, presented by Diane Vandenbrand of the Pinewood/Stratton CWL, while the Computer award was presented by Donna Davidson to Tyrell Mowe and Robbie Gavel.
The Technology award was presented by David Sharp to Robbie Gavel and Cameron Jolicoeur, with David Sharp presenting the Principal’s Award to Michael Sopotiuck and Ashley Sharp.
The altar servers award was given by Fr. Panikulam to Michael Sopotiuck, Ashley Sharp, Hailey Heyens, and Patricia O’Connor.
The school board’s leadership award, presented by Mark Chojko-Bolec, went to Kristie Tesarsky. It was worth $200.
The final presentation was the O.E.C.T.A. Award presented by Janice Lee to Hailey Heyens.
Afterwards, Prinicipal Sharp was presented with two gifts—a sweatshirt autographed by the students and a lunch pail to use when he’s out on the road in his new position with the Catholic school board.
Sharp’s replacement is Ron Fryer, who is not new to OLW.
Guest speaker for the evening was Emma Govier, a former student at OLW (Class of ’93) and now an employee at the CIBC in Emo.
“I was not sure what to speak about or on what subject, so [I] decided to consult former principal, Mark Hyatt.
“I said to him, ‘What if I get up on stage and had nothing to say?’ He laughed and said, ‘Emma, if you actually run out of things to say, I’m going to need to be there to see that.’”
Her topic was on choices—difficult ones.
“This could be anything in your life,” Govier noted. “All I can say to you grads is choose wisely in the next few years and always try to think of the consequences.
“I know that when you are in high school, it feels as though you will be there forever,” she added. “But cherish those years as special as later in life, you will find that they are gone in an instant and you’re all grown up before you know it.”
She suggested a top 10 list of ways to survive high school:
#10. Leave your Back Street Boys lunch box at home
#9. Try not to look lost—you’re an easy target for seniors
#8. If your bus ride is too long, take a Gravol—wouldn’t you rather fall asleep than be known as the kid who barfed on the first day of school and stunk up the whole bus
#7. Make friends and keep all the good ones
#6. Get involved with an activity, whether it be a sports team or the student council—it enriches the high school experience
#5. Take phys. ed.—it’s an easy pass and there is no written exam
#4. Be aware of peer pressure and know what your answer will be before you’re asked those tough questions
#3. Situations get out of control sometimes. Be aware of what can happen and avoid those situations all together
#2. Keep up with your school work—doing a little work every night is easier than trying to catch up on a lot later.
#1. Remember where you came from. It came in really handy for me to call an old teacher when I was having a hard time, and I know you have all the support that you need right here in this room.