SCAP holds graduation

Despite repeated power interruptions, the Sturgeon Creek Alternative Program honoured six Grade 12 graduates and another 10 from Grade 8 at the Sturgeon Creek School gymnasium last Thursday.
Former SCAP grad Simeon Nussbaumer was the emcee, with the graduates and staff being ushered in to “Pomp and Circumstance” performed by the student orchestra.
Principal Kendall Olsen and vice-principal Don McBride presented the dipomas and awards to the honourees.
The Grade 8 graduates were Nicole Boven, Jessica Cole, Jenelle Ferris, Sara Gerber, Susanne Gerber, Jimmy Mack, David Martin, Philemon Nussbaumer, Chantel Peters, and Kelsey Veert.
The Grade 8 valedictorian speech was a joint presentation by Cole and Nussbaumer.
Grade 12 graduates, meanwhile, were Jordana Beller, Jeremy Cole (final semester at RRHS), Andrew Friesen, Stefan Gerber, Dan McBride, and Brandon Olsen.
Friesen delivered a stirring valedictorian address, entitled “Running the Race of Life.”
Academic awards were presented to the top student in Grades 8-12, including Sara Gerber (89 percent), Dirk Friesen (90 percent), Caleb Heerema (84 percent), Felicia Schmutz (93 percent), and Dan McBride and Andrew Friesen (both 94 percent).
Daniel Cunningham, Dirk Friesen, Tyler Friesen, Nicholas Olsen, Bobby Petkau, Ben Lucke, David McBride, Marcus Veldhuisen, and Kaitlyn Ferris were honoured for being on the honour roll three times.
Caleb Heerema, Braeden Beller, Ruth Gerber, Miriam Mast, and Stefan Gerber were on the honour roll seven times while Stephanie Goodman, Erin Olsen, Courtney Peters, and Felicia Schmutz made it 11 times.
Brandon Olsen was on the honour roll 14 times while Jeremy Cole, Andrew Friesen, and Dan McBride were saluted for being on it 16 times (every high school reporting period).
The Emo Feed bursary of $300 went to Andrew Friesen while the Kaemingh Fuels bursary of $300.00 went to Brandon Olsen. The Christian Parents Association bursary of $250 each went to Andrew Friesen and Stefan Gerber.
Both Stefan Gerber and Dan McBride received a SCAP Faculty bursary of $200.
Ontario Scholar awards were presented to Andrew Friesen, Stefan Gerber, Dan McBride, and Brandon Olsen.
Friend and former teacher, Jim Keesic, delivered the “Challenge to the Graduates.”
“Don’t let anyone tell you, ‘You can’t do it,’’ said Keesic, who faced a mountain of his own personal obstacles before achieving a university degree.
“Yes, it will be hard, and yes, you will have to work, but you can do it,” he encouraged in a very personal and humorous address.
Another highlight of the ceremony was a slide show of the lives of the Grade 12 graduates to this point.
At the close of the formalities, relatives and friends were hosted to a cake and punch reception.
SCAP is a faith-based Kindergarten-Grade 12 school program operating under the Rainy River District School Board. Its campus is located just north of Stratton.