Sioux Mountain Public School celebrates Grade 8 gradates
Tim Brody - Editor
Sioux Mountain Public School celebrated its Grade 8 graduates on June 22.
The ceremony included an honour song, slide show of the graduating students, presentation of awards and diplomas, valedictorian speech, and a closing song.
Principal Wayne Mercer thanked parents and guardians for supporting their children through their educational journey.
“I could not be more proud of the students… I feel confident knowing that we’re sending our Grade 8 class just next door to Sioux North High School… I’m certain you will be able to succeed and thrive knowing you have achieved and overcome so much,” he said.
He encouraged students to remember all they had learned in their time at the school.
“It has been an honour Grade 8 students, to have you at our school,” he concluded.
Grade 8 graduate Nellie Angeconeb said of graduating, “It feels good. I’m excited to go to high school and keep learning new things.”
She said of learning during the pandemic, “It’s been difficult, but I’ve learned a lot of things about technology.”
Grade 8 graduate Maguire Rose said of graduating, “It feels nice to be done this school. I get to go see some friends in high school and I’m excited.”
He said of the challenges of learning during the pandemic, “It was tough, I got through it. There were definitely some hard moments, especially during online.”
This year’s graduates are: Dante Albany, Nellie Angeconeb, Brian Atlookan-Drake, Emily Barrett, Allanah Baskatawang, Dawnis Belmore, Aaron Bunting, Selene Burgoyne, Dominika Cutfeet, Aidan Fiddler, Cherish Gray-Cutfeet, Dakota (Rayne) Gray, Adam Hill, Dylan Jacko, Chloe Kakepetum, Dakota Koostachin, Destiny Mamakwa, Tyson Mathews, Szandor Meekis, Niska Monaco, Nyomi Morris, Treyden Munroe, Jena Necan, Tyler O’Kees, Phoenix (Reese) Ramirez, Maguire Rose, Markus Ross, Veronica Roundhead, Jazarrah Sacoco, Darius Sainnawap, Jase Shakakeesic-Day, Aidan Smale, Vanessa Sutherland, Shanae Thompson-Masakeyash, Lucas Ward, Allison Wesley, Gauge Wesley, Vincent Wesley, Danyca (Bella) Winter and Serena Whiskeyjack-Angees.
Sioux Mountain Public School Graduation Awards
KPDSB Good Citizenship Award - Phoenix Ramirez
Sioux Lookout Public Library Love of Reading Award - Niska Monaco and Aaron Bunting
United Church & Anglican Church Women’s Group Highest Academic Achievement Award - Niska Monaco and Nellie Angeconeb Michel Leveque Core French Award - Jazarrah Sacoco
Nishnawbe-Gamik Friendship Centre Native Language Award - Vanessa Sutherland
Nishnawbe-Gamik Friendship Centre Artistic Achievement Award - Dakota Koostachin
Attendance Award - Nellie Angeconeb
Model Student of the Year Award - Bella Winter and Emily Barrett
Award of Merit – Male: Lucas Ward
Award of Merit – Female: Vanessa Sutherland
Sports Award - Male Athlete of the Year: Aidan Fiddler
Sports Award - Female Athlete of the Year: Nellie Angeconeb
Most Improved Student Award - Vanessa Sutherland
Ontario Principals Council Award - Niska Monaco
Sioux Hudson Literacy Council Young Readers Award - Tyler O’Kees
Volunteer Award - Aidan Smale
Valedictorian Recognition - Dakota Koostachin and Emily Barrett.