A night of memories and promises of the future was celebrated at École Mother Teresa Catholic School, last Thursday during the Grade 9 farewell and dance.
“Thank you for coming to celebrate with us as we finish a small chapter and move on to another,” said Naomi Akkermans.
Then it was time for class reflections. Ashley Halsey, in the 9B class, likened their journey to a plane ride with times of turbulence “but we made it through”. There was “very little drama and hardly any judgment,” she said of her classmates. She also commented on “amazing teachers” and “great relationships with them”.
Mackenzie Ramm (9W) said, “We’ve learned so much and have so many great memories thanks to our teachers.”
“This isn’t the end, it’s just the beginning,” she concluded.
Travis Boyer and Blake Bryck (fi) provided some humorous anecdotes of their fellow students.
The thank you to parents was delivered by Finley Murphy and Will Albach, who praised them for “always being there to support us”.
“Thank you for guiding us with your wisdom, thank you for being there, thank you for your care.”
Each of the homeroom teachers then provided some advice, Mme. Boyd beginning ‘en francais’.
“Explore, take lots of adventures, remember your goals and strive for them,” said Mrs. Weaver. She reminded the students they’ve learned to “be respectful of each other”.
She remembered they were “seeking independence and challenging those closest to them then suddenly they transformed into beautiful young men and women”.
This is a group of “very intelligent and capable people” who when they “discover their passions will work hard and attain goals and value the rest of their life. Live long and prosper,” said Mr. Ziebart.
Following comments by the teachers, each of the students was presented with a gift from Ten Thousand Villages “so those less fortunate will be blessed with our purchase”, said Mrs. Weaver.
For the young men the gifts were a wooden spinning top, symbolic of a playful nature, a sense of bonding. The tops are crafted with India’s Asha Handicrafts, the name meaning hope. “With the purchase of these tops it guarantees safe working conditions and provides training, scholarships as well as pays for school fees for the children of these artisans.”
For the young ladies the gifts were handcrafted bracelets from India. “This bracelet allows for economic opportunities to help break the cycle of poverty. Fair trade and ecofriendly projects are created. The bracelet signifies unity and hope for the future.”
Students who were given gifts included:
9B - William Albach, Zane Baker, Tova Berg, Riley Bilodeau, Kyra Cooper, Kody Delaurier-McQuillan, Catalina Garcia, Taylor Hackett, Ashley Halsey, Brody Hamilton, Emma Libby, Taylor Masters, Janelle Mitchell, Finley Murphy, Marcus Ornella, Kayla Pequin, Amber Power, Kian Rolston and Sheldon Therriault.
9W – Daniel Alexander, Kelsey Buehler, Kara Canning, Katrina Carnoky, Ethan Carson, Andy Carter, Trevor Cooper, Tristin DeArmond, Dominic Friesen, Justin Gelowitz, Rachel Goacher, Spencer Hansen, Celina Jaroslawsky, Andrew Jensen, Holly Keeler, Alexa Kilmury, Marc Lechmann, Avrey Nielsen, Christine Paquin, Kristina Parish, Mackenzie Ramm, Quintin Robin, Bruno Simon, Kale Sonmor-Dolan, Vince Turpin, Amy Wall and Kennedy Walsh.
9Z – Naomi Akkermans, Travis Boyer, Blake Bryck, Alexander Bulloch, Austin Falcon, McKenzie Field, Caitlin Gauthier, Sophie LaGrange, Shaydin Proulx, Brandon Smith and Austin (Steve) Wilson.
A farewell dance followed the ceremony.