UNITY - “We’ve Got a Story to Tell - Class of 2015” said the large sign in the Unity Composite High School lobby June 26, as friends and family of this year’s graduands filed into the school for the formal graduation ceremonies.
The story theme was repeated throughout the event, ranging from Principal Ruth Cey’s look at “My Life as a Story” to valedictorian Megan Babchuk’s concluding remark: “We are all stories in the end, just make sure yours is a good one.”
Once all the assembled guests were seated in the gym, the 40 students in caps and gowns filed in, one by one. After some preliminary remarks from MC Neil Ehnisz, greetings from the Living Sky School Board delivered by Rona Pethick, a thank you to staff and parents from graduand Alana Neil and the principal’s address by Ruth Cey, it was time.
Each graduand made his or her way to the stage to receive the Grade 12 diploma from Principal Cey, while Vice-Principal Ken Parker introduced him or her, giving the name, parents’ names and the (former) student’s future plans.
Over $20,000 worth of scholarships from local donations and organizations were handed out to 16 students. In addition, Donna Wilson was given the Living Sky Technology and Innovation Award of a tablet. The two Leadership and Dedication Awards went to Alana Neil and Quinn Maze.
Valedictorian Megan Babchuk received the Grade 12 Proficiency Award and Honour Cord. Across all classes in Grade 12, she was able to maintain a 93.7 per cent average. Kezia Tyagi won the Governor General’s Academic Medal for the highest average in Grades 11 and 12 combined. Megan plans to attend Sheridan College in Toronto to take art fundamentals; she aspires to a career in animation. Tyagi will attend medical school in India.
Scholarship winners were Erling Lefsrud — Access Communications Scholarship, Delta Co-operative Association Bursary, Jeffrey Glen Bounting Bursary, Lions Club Bursary, Downtown Medical Clinic Scholarship, Candace Heitt Sports Bursary;
Megan Babchuk — Unity Credit Union Scholarship, Matthew Borden Bursary, Delta Co-operative Association bursary, Lions Club Scholarship, Jimmy & Ethel Anderson Memorial Bursary; Heather Wood — Unity Credit Union Scholarship, Health Care Auxiliary Scholarship, Jimmy & Ethel Anderson Memorial Bursary, Dr. Robert P. Knowles Scholarship; Kyla Van De Meutter — Class of 2015 Bursary, Ed Burnall & Family Bursary, Tommy Rutherford Masonic Scholarship, Unity Agricultural Society Scholarship; Rachel Baes — Health Care Auxiliary Scholarship, Jenai Danielle Bounting Bursary, Downtown Medical Clinic Scholarship; Kezia Tyagi — David Ray Surine Bursary, Dr. Robert P. Knowles Scholarship; Blake Robertson — Living Sky School Division No. 202 Board Scholarship, Knights of Columbus bursary; Nolan Acton — Unity Wildlife Federation Bursary, Order of the Royal Purple Bursary; Gavin Dyck — PDG Lions John Coid Memorial Bursary, John Coid Masonic Memorial Bursary; Rheann Jackson — Albert Burnell Bursary, Isabel Anderson Physical Sciences Bursary; Quinn Maze — Legion Auxiliary Bursary, Tommy Rutherford Masonic Bursary; Jayden Akerlund — Knights of Columbus Bursary, Royal Canadian Legion Unity Branch No. 90; Emily Mabbett — St. Peter’s CWL Bursary;
Kianna Bisson — Tyler Glackin Memorial Bursary; Spencer Sperle — Isabel Anderson Physical Sciences Bursary; and Taylor Pilat — CUPE 4747 Scholarship.
