The Citizen, 2019-07-04, Page 17THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JULY 4, 2019. PAGE 17.
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Class of 2010
Here’s to
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Class of 2019
Dear graduates of 2019, teachers,
staff and parents, it is an honour to
be up here and delivering this speech
to you this evening. The past 10
years have passed quickly, and it is
almost impossible to believe that we
will be heading into high school in
just a few short months.
First, I would like to thank the
teachers who have taught and
nurtured us for many years, without
your guidance we would not have
made it this far. I would also like to
thank the parents of the graduates for
supporting, encouraging and guiding
their children. I am sure you are all
proud of your sons and daughters
and their many accomplishments
over the past nine years.
Not long ago, we were singing our
A-B-Cs and just a few days ago we
were delivering a 20-minute
presentation about all we have
accomplished during our time here.
For many of us, Huron Central
School (HCS) has been a nurturing
environment, as it has provided us
with a strong academic education,
leadership skills, musical and sports
opportunities and lifelong
friendships.
At HCS, we have received a solid
foundation of learning to be rooted
in God’s word. This has prepared us
to take on whatever challenges that
come before us as we move on into
the next chapter of our lives.
It was 3,603 days ago that I
walked into this school being the
only boy out of seven girls. Thank
you Riley, Irwin and Matthew for
solving that problem. I am very
fortunate to be one of the graduates
that have been here from Junior
Kindergarten. I would like to take
this opportunity to talk a bit about
our Grade 8 class. This year’s theme
was “Your Are Made In God’s
Image”. Each of us is God’s child,
created for a purpose being able to
reflect his wisdom and beauty in this
dark world.
Ava has always loved sports and is
very competitive. She has shown her
love for sports by actively
participating in cross country, soccer
and track and field. She will always
be known as the clumsy one.
Remember the time that you almost
broke your leg during kickball, even
though it was already broken? Ava
always has her nose in a book and
can’t put it down. She is
academically strong and has a
passion for learning.
Cassie has been a part of our class
from the very beginning. She is an
extremely talented artist and has a
love for music. She has had a
passion for music and art from a
young age. Katie joined us halfway
through Senior Kindergarten.
Katie has never been one to talk a
lot, but when you get to know her
she is very loud. She has always
liked history and knows almost
every answer to any question that is
asked. Katie is always the person
you can get along with, no matter the
circumstance.
Riley arrived at HCS in Grade 3
and was the second boy to join our
class. He has enjoyed playing on
many sports teams throughout his
time at HCS. Throughout the years
Riley has gotten into some trouble,
like the time that he threw burrs into
Lian’s hair. He is the one to always
have a joke ready for every
conversation.
Irwin, at first glance, looks like a
giant, and he is looked up to by
many people (literally, reaching a
height of 6' 3"). He came to our
school in Grade 3 and became the
third boy, though we were still
outnumbered 2:1 by the girls at that
point.
Irwin’s height has always helped
him out in playing sports like
volleyball and high jump...he even
beat the school record at the district
track and field meet.
Irwin has always enjoyed math
and this shows in his grades. Irwin is
one to always make you laugh no
matter if you're in the middle of a
lesson or getting lectured by the
teacher. I am sure Mrs. Scott can
agree with this. He has been a good
friend to many and has been a “BIG”
part of our class.
Lian, who joined us in Grade 4,
made friends quickly. She has
always had a passion for sports and
she shows her love for them through
running and cross country. Over the
years Lian has grown immensely in
her passion for running. She even
beat a sprinting record in Grade 7.
She has encouraged many
classmates to participate in different
sporting events. Lian is an all-around
good student and enjoys almost all
of her subjects. (And most of us
wish we could say that.) Overall,
Lian has made us into the class we
are today.
Andraya joined our class in Grade
5. She left to be home-schooled for a
year but returned because she missed
us. Andraya is probably one of the
quietest people in our class, but
when she has something to say she
will make sure everyone
hears her. Andraya always has a
positive attitude and is willing
to give a helping hand when
needed.
Apryl also came to our school in
Grade 6. She has always had a liking
for numbers and is great at math.
She always knows the answer to
every question Mrs. Scott asks her. If
you didn’t know the answer to the
math question, go and ask Apryl.
Apryl has also always loved French
and is nearly fluent in speaking the
language.
Matt also joined us in Grade 6. He
is always talking about sports,
especially the Toronto Maple Leafs,
always wondering when the Leafs
will win a cup, I guess we’ll be
hearing that for a long time to come
- right Mr. G?
Matthew enjoys playing on the
school sports teams and shows his
passion for athletics. Matthew has a
sense of humour and is always trying
to make us laugh.
The teachers have guided us
through our journey at HCS,
teaching us to be image-bearers of
God. Our journey began with Mrs.
Soer who taught us our A-B-Cs,
how to count to 100 and print our
name. Mrs. Vanwyk always
encouraged us to develop a love for
reading. Mrs. Kuiper was
claustrophobic while trying to teach
us in a closet.
Mr. Huls always gave out lemon
drops and crackers if he mixed up
our names and taught us our
multiplication facts. Mrs. Vogel was
in love with minions. Mr. DeBoer
always picked a great guided reading
book and shared his love for writing.
Mrs. Scott didn’t let us sneeze or
cough during class time and she will
always be known for math frenzies.
All of these teachers have
encouraged us to grow deeper in our
faith and have shaped us into the
people we are today.
As a class, we have made many
memories, some good some bad, like
the time that the Grade 8 boys were
forgotten in the hotel in Ottawa and
Montreal, or when Riley smashed a
bus window, and when Riley wore a
kilt to school.
Matthew, how about the time that
you washed off your pizza with
water? How can we forget the time
that Mrs. Ross told Irwin “size
doesn’t matter?” Although we have
been a small class we have fit into
the smallest classroom, and never
had our own class. Despite this we
have helped each other grow
spiritually and academically.
As our time at HCS reaches an
end, I want all of you to stay rooted
in Christ and know that He has a
plan for us. When you reach high
school, I urge all of you to be shining
lights of God. He will guide you and
protect you along your journey as
you move on from HCS and in
whatever hardships and trials you
may face.
Boersma looks back on classmates’ development
Huron Christian School in Clinton
handed out its year-end graduation
awards on June 20, honouring a
number of students for stellar
achievements in their final year of
elementary school.
Tyler Boersma was named the
school’s valedictorian, an award
sponsored by P.A. Roy Insurance
Brokers Inc.
Boersma was also the school’s top
male athlete, an anonymously-
sponsored award.
Lian Stanley was named Huron
Christian School’s top female
athlete. She was also named the
school’s top scholar. Both awards
were sponsored by the Investors
Group and Paul Vandendool.
Riley Poortinga won the school’s
annual service award, which is
sponsored by the Clinton Optimist
Club.
Katie Buffinga won the Bakker
Scholarship, sponsored by Willem
and Johanna Bakker and family,
while Cassie Whaling won the
school’s art bursary, which is
sponsored in memory of Bethany
Blanchard.
Tyler Boersma, Andraya Hahn,
Riley Poortinga, Lian Stanley, Ava
Sutcliffe, Apryl VanderHeide and
Cassie Whaling were all named to
the school’s honour roll.
Memory Work Memorization
Awards were handed out to Tyler
Boersma, Katie Buffinga, Andraya
Hahn, Matthew Little, Riley
Poortinga, Lian Stanley, Ava
Sutcliffe, Apryl VanderHeide and
Cassie Whaling.
Stanley named top
scholar, female athlete
Tyler Boersma
Huron Christian
Valedictorian
See histories and
historic photographs
on the Huron History
section of our website
www.northhuron.on.ca