Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2013-07-04, Page 22PAGE 22. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JULY 4, 2013. Elma Township Public School celebrated its annual graduation ceremony on Wednesday, June 26 at the Elma Memorial Community Centre in Atwood. Winners were: The Simmons Award was won by Parker Ducharme; the Blatchford Award was won by Nicole Gulutzen; the Principal’s Award was won by Sam Johnston; the Colquhoun Award was won by Kim Zijlema; Parker Ducharme was named the school’s valedictorian for 2013; the Altruism Award was won by Kim Zijlema; the Mathematics Award was won by Austin Laidlaw; the Science Award was won by Parker Ducharme; the Physical Education Award was won by Madison Hinschberger; the French Award was won by Harmoni Main; the English Award was won by Alida Swart; the Geography Continued from page 20 EQAO tests. Oh what fun they were. These are just some things that made our public school years memorable. Our years at Seaforth Public School, whether you have been here for your whole life or just a couple years, have taught us to be leaders and strong individuals as we enter high school. We have watched the big kids grow up since we were little but they weren’t just older kids to us, they were role models for the younger students as they grow older. So let’s take this time to reflect on each other and how we have made our graduating year full of smiles and excitement. Dr. Seuss once said, “Today you are you, that is truer than true there is no one alive that is youer than you.” Years from now when we reflect back on our experience here, we won’t forget: Kyle squared never separating or Courtney’s uncontrollable laugh, Justin being a San Jose fan, and Jessie’s baking skills … MMMMmmhhhh, Josh swimming no matter the water temperature - brrr, or how we’ve never seen the day that Kelsey wasn’t talking and Ryan’s goalie skills or always having a laugh when we heard Brooklyn’s snort, Duncan’s scooter and athletic ability and I don’t think we will forget that group of girls who are shy around strangers but crazy around each other … Kyra, Marissa, Olivia, Cassy and Kali and Ben’s random sayings every day and Cassidy’s artistic ability or Dalton, aka the hammer, I think we all won’t forget Brenda’s raging … and Anthony combing his old mullet during class, Hailey’s up-to-date fashion trends, Robert’s dancing to Michael Jackson, or Shanna’s wild side, Ian being a die hard Toronto fan … maybe next year’s the year for them Ian, Taylor’s honest opinion, Zach always proving us to be wrong on most facts, Jordan - the tall one, and Jared being the traveller, Lauryn is quiet but is fun to be around, and we could always find Ryan in the corner playing Minecraft, Jacob being a Habs fan for life, Chad’s funny humour and loud singing during music, Scott’s wonderful performance of “Peace Like a River”, Chris always running, Orlando being the track star I think Seaforth hasn’t seen in a while, and finally Jason who taught us to see the world in a different way. As we prepare for high school it is amazing to think that we now will go from being the top of the school, back to the bottom within two months. In other words, we will be the Minor Niners. Back to the shortest in the school. And money starts to become useful and next thing you know you need to get a job because your parent’s wallets are starting to run a little dry. Graduates, as we take the next steps in our lives, remember that “Graduation is not the end; it’s the beginning. We have all taken the journey together and have been there for each other through the good and bad, happy and sad times. So as we say goodbye to one another tonight, the memories and friendships that have been formed will live in our hearts forever. So as we move forward in school, let these memories of Seaforth Public always be with you. As Dr. Seuss also said, “YOU have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own, and you know that you know. And you are the guy who’ll decide where to go.” Good luck graduates and may the force be with you. Huron Christian School in Clinton held its annual graduation and awards ceremony on Thursday, June 20. The night’s winners were: Valedictorian, sponsored by PA Roy Insurance Brokers Inc., Emily Branderhorst; Top Female Athlete, sponsored by Kristy Cameron, Joleen Otten; Top Male Athlete, sponsored anonymously, Ben Pot; Meurs Service, sponsored by the Meurs family, Ashley McKellar; Bible, sponsored by Selah Family Books, Mallory Sjaarda; Language Arts, sponsored by the Clinton Optimist Club, Sam Crawford; Mathematics, sponsored by Vodden, Bender and Seebach Chartered Accountants, Mallory Sjaarda; Science, sponsored by Kimberly and Bill VanWyk, Sam Crawford; Geography, sponsored by the Investors Group/Paul VandenDool, Emily Branderhorst; History, sponsored by the Municipality of Central Huron, Emily Branderhorst; French, sponsored by Clarence and Ingrid Bos, Jeff Boersma; Physical Education, sponsored by Kristy Cameron, Joleen Otten; Art, sponsored in memory of Jacob Roorda, Ashley McKellar; Music, sponsored by Connie Bos, Joleen Otten; Top Scholar, sponsored by PA Roy Insurance Brokers Inc., Emily Branderhorst; Most Improved, sponsored by Gilbert and Joannie VandenHeuvel and family, James Boonstoppel and Bakker Scholarship, sponsored by Willem and Johanna Bakker and family, Sam Crawford. Memory Work Memorization Awards went to Emily Branderhorst, Sam Crawford, Laura Damsma, Ashley McKellar, Joleen Otten, Mallory Sjaarda, Laurina VanDorp and Victoria VanGent. Those on the Honour Roll were Jeff Boersma, Emily Branderhorst, Sam Crawford, Laura Damsma, Ashley McKellar, Joleen Otten, Mallory Sjaarda, Laurina VanDorp and Victoria VanGent. Graduation 2013 Continued from page 21 Bell Waddington Bursary Award, Kristy Illman; Improvement in Mathematics, Kristy Illman; the Gauss Math Awards, Sharon Swan; the Festival Hydro Science Award, Sharon Swan; the History Award, Tim Hundley; the Geography Award, Kristy Illman; the French Award, Tina Zembashi; the Music Award, Heather Dawe; the Rachael Broome Memorial Award, Tammy Regier; the Barb Elston Memorial Award, Emily Elston and Leanne Marks; the J.W. Talbot Award, Kristy Illman; the Sheila Morton Bursary Award, Tim Hundley; the June Boussey Public Speaking Award, Jenn Pilat; the John Jew Citizenship Award, Dree Park; the OPC Leadership Award, Cindy Hamather; Field Day Champions, Robyn Carnochan; the School Council Award, Joanne Williamson; the School Spirit Award, Carolyn Griffin; the Positive Role Model Award, Carolyn Griffin; the Environmental Award, Nancy Kale and the Friendship Award, Kelsey Cardno. Valedictorians, Justin Beuermann and Hailey Snell. Seaforth’s winners HCS award winners Elma awards students Continued on page 30 weekends. Unfortunately our fun came to an end when one of our teammates took the guinea pigs home for the weekend and, well, let’s just say his dog loved those guinea pigs just as much as we did. There were also some troublemakers in this grade. I’m sorry Laurina for the time I glued you to your chair and Jamie you should be sorry for the time you cut my hair. As one team it was hard to work together after being separated but we pulled through and made it to our fourth lap. In every person’s track career there is bound to be a couple injuries and this was the year of injuries. The year started off with Isaiah cracking his head on a window and it ended off with Coach Kuiper slipping on spilled water and suffering facial injuries. I’d say that’s a pretty harsh year. With all the injuries they decided to split us up the next year. Our fifth go-round went relatively calm with half of our team joiningthe Grade 4 class coached by Mrs.Kuiper and the other half of our classwas led by first-time coach Mr.DeBoer.Coach Hunse led the team in Grade 6. This year also had an awful stench but this time it wasn’t the guinea pigs... our young athletic bodies were changing and Mrs. Hunse had to give us the deodorant talk... awkward! And let’s not forget the memorable relationships that were formed during our sixth lap. Chase and Bethany. Oh! And Hannah and Ben. Lots of relationships in Grade 6. For our seventh lap around, Miss Blydorp joined the team as a rookie coach. Our team travelled to Ottawa/Montreal where we all achieved personal bests in the race walking category. With Coach Gerrits in the lead and Coach Blydorp in the rear we raced our way through the seven-kilometre course in Montreal when public transportation failed. Way to go team! During this seventh lap, our team continued to challenge the coaching staff with our secret v-dart wars all through class. Teammate Ben decided to skip class by hiding under the couch cushions, pillows and blankets. Coach Blydorp was not too happy when he appeared like a zombie in the middle of class. After the tiring lap seven, we started our eighth and final lap. Miss Gerrits was our coach and that meant “the list.” The list of rules that were almost impossible to follow. No coughing, no sneezing, no yawning, no tipping your chair, no slouching, no rolling your eyes, no making repetitive noises and No Fiddle Farting around! Coach Gerrits challenged us to bethe best that we can be and while wewere intimidated by her coachingstrategies at the beginning of the yearwe soon adapted. When our team was plagued with uncertainty, Coach Gerrits would ask “Am I speaking Greek?” One of our players responded with “No, you’re speaking Latin”. Our track meet took us to Niagara Falls this year where we endured the excruciating step climb - 235 steps, 56m straight up in a circular motion and back down again; intense cardio and muscle training for our team. This was followed up with more cardio exercises working our way through mirror and haunted houses. And while he probably won’t admit it, one of our male athletes relied heavily on a female athlete to make it through the haunted house. But what are teammates for – right? Team 2013 is made up of 19 different athletes. Some appear very similar and some not so similar. Athletes Abigail and Bethany may look alike but that’s where the similarities end. • Abigail can be found texting a certain young man while Bethany has a great sense of humour and always has a smile on her face. • Then there is Mr. G’s arch nemesis, Jeff, who is a forever Montreal Canadien lover. • James is our team sprinter and heavy lifter leaving the school’s track team with an astounding record in shotput. • Our female athletes have some high energy and Hannah is no exception. She is wacky andhilarious.• New to team 2013 this year isSam. He fit right in with our teamand enjoyed coaching our math classwhen Coach Gerrits fell ill. • Chase may seem like the perfect teammate but don’t let him deceive you! He’s always in the action. He just never gets caught. • Leading the team with her hyperactiveness is Laura. Give her the proper nutrition (no candy) and she’ll keep everyone in shape. • Teammate Isaiah leads the team with his vocal abilities. He is not afraid to be himself and he’s even been known to speak dinosaur. And let’s not forget his stellar performance during the 1500m run. • Curtis is one of our solid athletes who is always willing to help out and keep our team focused on the course ahead. • Ashley is a bit quieter than most on our team, but amazes us with her artistic talents. • Even track members take a break from the track and Joleen is no exception. In the winter she spends more time on the ice than on land. • Ben likes to exercise a lot and will spend full days without his chair just to stay in shape. • If you’re looking for Mallory you’ll be sure to find her with Ashley. Those two are always together. • Matthew has a great sense of humour and is always happy. • Laurina is completely One Direction obsessed. All you have to do is open her locker and you’ll see that. Just in case you don’t know, One Direction is a band and if youwant to know more I’m sure Laurinacould tell you everything about them.She could tell you their birthdaysbefore she could tell you mine. • Our last female athlete is Victoria who is very creative and cares about each of our teammates. • Also joining Team 2013 this year was Brady. Brady commands attention and will make a great coach someday. So today marks the end of our career on the Huron Christian School track team. Our coaches have trained us to look to the Bible for all the rules and to show others what it means to be an athlete for God. Fellow athletes, I challenge you to take all that we have learned and use it as we continue our journey onto other track teams. Let us remember that God is our ‘head coach’ and we are his athletes. Let us strive to be the best that we can be sharing our gifts and talents with those around us. Let us always “Overflow with Thankfulness” and show the world that we are a part of the Lord’s team. So tonight on behalf of Team 2013 I want to say thank you to the coaching staff and our families for giving us this opportunity to train with the team. But most importantly we want to thank our heavenly Father for giving us this opportunity to train as Christian athletes. Let us never forget to run the race with perseverance that God has set out for us. Our journey to high school and beyond is coming our way. Runners take your mark, get set, go! Emily Branderhorst Training pays off at Huron Christian: Branderhorst Seaforth grad look to Dr. Seuss Continued from page 19