Sacred Heart School graduates recognized, honoured

Tim Brody - Editor

Family, friends, and school staff members gathered together on June 26, at Sacred Heart Church, to celebrate this year’s Sacred Heart School grade 8 graduates.
Thirty-four graduates received their diplomas and board pins during the ceremony, which was MC’d by graduating students Ava Hoppe and Sophia Legary.
A valedictory address was provided by Caleb Bellingham and Ella Curits.
Principal Brody Marsonet told the graduating students, “Your hard work and perseverance have accumulated in this, a day celebrated with family and friends, your achievements and mark your departure from elementary school. You are now ready to move on to high school.”
“Let’s take a moment to also acknowledge the people who have supported you on your journey thus far, educators, parents, community members… all who have done a part, large or small, in seeing you along,” he added.
He continued, “It’s part of the human experience to want to know what’s over the next hill, to want to know what’s beyond. Tonight, all of us here at this graduation ceremony sit among this group of young men and women on the cusp of finding what lies beyond elementary school.”
He asked graduates to be resilient and kind as they move into the future.
“It is during times of success that people will know your name. It is during times of trouble when people will know your character,” he said.
He concluded, “You all have the potential to be all you want to. Always put your energy, faith, talent and time into demonstrating your character, and you will flourish. There is a big world waiting for you over that next hill and beyond. Please keep in touch with the school. We will always be glad to see you and anxious to hear the news. I wish you all great happiness, God bless you.”
This year’s graduates were: Logan Amey, Patrick Bellerose, Caleb Bellingham, Madisyn Breton, Jomae Borja, Presley Brohm, Kalan Cecchetto, Tegan Corradini, Ella Curtis, Hartley Davies, Kennedy DeRose, Connor Duguay, Chase Favot, McKenna Fewer, Tristan Fox, Liam Goodfellow, Jaysalyn Hoey-Fowler,
Ava Hoppe, Alisha Kowtiash, Jessie Krahn, Sophie Laurtermilch, Zachary Lance, Ashton Lapworth, Jaden Lee, Sophia Legary, James Lemmon, Naomi Mousseau, McKenna Murphy, Ethan Neegan, Brooklyn Nichol, Logan Rabbit, Nathan Ropek, Chaley Thompson, and Talen Zoccole.

 

Sacred Heart School Valedictorian Address

Caleb Bellingham and Ella Curits - SHS Valedictorians

Good evening. Welcome. Classmates, teachers, parents, family members, administrators, staff, Principal Marsonet, and Vice Principal Savoie, my name is Caleb Bellingham and this is Ella Curtis, and we have the great honor of being valedictorians.
Our time at Sacred Heart School has been filled with fun, laughter, and friendship. This class is made up of talented artists, musicians, gamers, athletes, and academics. There have been easy times and hard times, but we have gotten through all of it. We have had many memorable times together, like when we had the circus day in Kindergarten with all of our costumes and our teachers, Mrs. Guardy and Mrs. Chabbert leading the way.
During our first mass practice in grade one, we were singing ‘This Little Light of Mine’ when there was a lockdown drill and Mr. Carroll dived into a corner. We have had many fundraisers for many different causes, like the white elephant sale in grade 5 with Ms. Kurytnik and Mrs. Maki, where we sold old toys and crafts. We also held an art sale in grade 6 with Mrs. Spooner and Mr. Johnson.
 In the school Christmas plays, we have had many fun moments, like when someone ran across the stage with a huge pair of scissors right after saying, “don't run with scissors”. In Ms. Spooner's grade 6 class, we had lots of fun making music videos and creating our own electricity. We have walked down to Cedar Bay too many times to count, and every time we had fun. There have been many people who have come and gone, and we will never forget the experiences we had. On our Toronto trip, we had a great time sightseeing and spending time together. We will all remember the laughs and inside jokes that have been shared in our peer groups.
As we go into high school, we will be faced with new challenges and probably get tons of homework, but we will get through it all with help from our friends and future teachers. This school has prepared us as much as possible for the rest of our lives, so now it's up to us to go to high school and continue to learn and grow. I don't know what the future will hold, but this class is more than capable to conquer everything life throws at us.
 I know this year has been a very unique experience for all of us. As we graduate we are ready to move on to a new and exciting chapter of our lives, but we can’t forget all of the amazing memories we have made throughout the years. Sacred Heart has played a very important role in shaping each and every one of us into wonderful young students.
We would like to thank all our teachers and support staff we have had over the years, for always believing in us. On behalf of our class, I would like to thank Ms. Michelizzi.  She has taught us many valuable lessons and who especially taught us what it means to be a strong role model for young girls, like myself. She also taught us to believe in ourselves and to always do what is right.
We would like to thank Mr. Esposito for teaching us to be global citizens and to think about all the consequences that a decision might have. He has brought our learning outdoors many times, and always did what was best for our class. Thanks to all the other principals, teachers, EA’s, Mrs. Kirton and Mrs. Hall in the office, and Mrs. George in the library, who have taught us as well.
Last but not least, we would like to thank our parents and families for supporting and encouraging us throughout the years.  Our career at Sacred Heart has come to an end, but it’s just the beginning of plenty of other great things. Caleb and I are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to speak on behalf of our fellow classmates.
Friends, follow your passion. Stay true to yourself. Never follow someone else’s path, unless you’re in the woods and you’re lost and you see a path. By all means, you should follow that. But seriously, take pride in how far you’ve come. Have faith in how far you can go. But don’t forget to enjoy the journey. Thank you.