Graduates told to remember the great community they built at KDSS

The Ecole Kincardine District Senior School Grade 12 graduates were told to remember the great community they built throughout their time as KDSS Knights, during the Commencement Ceremony, Friday night, at the school.

“I’ve been racing all throughout high school but now that we are finally crossing the finish line, I wish I could have stopped just a little earlier and caught a breath of the fresh air that has surrounded me,” said valedictorian Shaheryar Afzaal.

“I guess we finally are here, but the question that faces us tonight is what this really means,” he said. “In one sense, I feel that after a long struggle and success that tonight, we have arrived and should be celebrating, but on the other hand, I am reminded that this is the end of all the countless memories we all experienced together.”

He offered up a few of those memories: distracting Mr. Ogilvie with, quite frankly, anything that was off-topic, such as the Lebron-versus-Michael Jordan debate; forcing Mrs. Fetter to play the New York Times Wordle or Connections before starting calculus class; getting Mrs. Connolly to end the note just a little earlier so they could listen to one of her insane stories; or grieving with Mrs. Wilson after her precious Moley was stolen.

“The word commencement comes from the old French word, ‘commencer,’ which means to begin, and yet now, we use that same word to describe the end of our high school experience,” said Shaheryar. “So tonight what is it? The end of the countless memories and laughter or the very launch pad we use to begin the start of our new lives? The answer lies in our experiences.”

He said beyond the basic courses at KDSS, the Class of 2025 learned what it truly means to be in a community.

“No matter what the future holds for us after high school, we will always be reminded of the community we built and how we were a group of people who learned to support each other through every test, every performance, and every setback,” said Shaheryar. “KDSS isn’t just a school, it’s been our community, our second home, and for many of us, the place where we discovered who we wanted to become.

“So, maybe it’s not the end of the race after all. Maybe it’s just the start of a new one, a race where the track is wider, the choices are bigger, and the results depend entirely on how much heart we bring to it.

“To my fellow graduates, don’t rush to the next finish line. Take a second. Look around. Breathe in that same fresh air I mentioned at the start. You’ve earned it. Enjoy this moment because no matter where life takes us, we’ll always be the KDSS Class of 2025!”

The evening began with the graduates being piped in by Brenda Colquhoun of the Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band, followed by "O Canada," played by the KDSS senior band.

Bluewater District School Board trustee Jan Johnstone brought greetings and wished the graduates all the best in their endeavours.

Principal Don Burns congratulated the graduating class and said to remember the KDSS Code of Honour: respect all people all the time; be present, be prepared and be on time; and be kind.

MCs Maegan Bryan and Sarah Chalmers announced the Grade 12 diplomas and awards, as well as the recipients of the DELF certificates and Specialist High Skills Majors.

The following graduates won awards at commencement:
 

• A.E. Nelson Scholarship for a high-ranking graduate who intends to pursue a career in teaching – Xavier Hyre
• Al Davis award for community safety for a student pursuing policing, a career in the military or a related discipline of helpfulness – Chloe Shields
• Al Kozak Construction Scholarship, for a student who graduates despite having faced challenges along the way – Hailey Wylds
• Audrey and Lester Ferguson award for a student furthering his/her studies in social sciences – Keiara Wylds
• Beta Sigma Phi (Epsilon/Alpha chapter) award for excellence in a co-op program – Sappho Hunter
• Beta Sigma Phi (Xi/Zeta/Gamma chapters) award for making a significant contribution to the school – Brenna Hegmans
• Bruce County Conservationists award for a student continuing his/her studies at the post-secondary level in an environmental field – Desiree Delisle
• Bruce Power award for Female Student entering Skilled Trades or Technologies – Delilah Stam-Haldenby
• Bruce Power Future Innovator award for a student who achieves high academic results and who shows passion and promise in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math – Ryerson Carnell
• Bumper to Bumper Scholarship for a student continuing in automotive technology – Colban Liddle
• Canadian Federation of University Women award for high academic achievement and personal determination – Hadley Pawlikowski and Cara Middelkamp
• County of Bruce Agricultural Scholarship for a student who is continuing his/her education in a field related to agriculture – Bronwynn Jones
• CPF Bluewater Kincardine and District French award – Xavier Hyre
• Creative Hands award, in memory of Amanda Alexander who was a KDSS graduate, awarded to a student who is going into a creative career path – Aaron Biehl
• Don and Irene MacKenzie award for a student who has resided in Huron Township, maintained academic standing and participated in school life – Emery Harper
• Dr. A.E.H. Couch bursaries for graduates entering medical field or biological sciences – William Luhowy
• Ernie Young Memorial award, sponsored by the Bruce County Federation of Agriculture for a student who is either working or studying in the field of agriculture – Cheyan Kreller
• Frederick Kirby Social Responsibility scholarship for a student attending a post-secondary institution who has demonstrated an attitude of respect for the human dignity of all people and participated in groups that seek to change the world – William Luhowy
• NEW: Foundations for the Future award – scholarship with support from your local realtors at Onepoint Association of Realtor, awarded to a student pursing a vocation in business or real estate – Mikayla Gallina
• Grant Helm scholarship for high-ranking student who has lived in Kincardine Township, Bruce Township or Tiverton for at least 10 years – Dorothy Radford
• Janice Matchett Financial Services business scholarship – Alayna Middelkamp
• Kathryn Houston Meisenheimer Memorial scholarship for a deserving student who has demonstrated a caring attitude, positivity and perseverance – Ava Morgan
• Kevin Newman Memorial award, in memory of a past KDSS student, awarded to a graduate who emulates Kevin’s inclusiveness, desire to stand up for others, resilience in the face of adversity, creativity, and the strength to be yourself every day – Travis Richardson
• Kincardine Adult Soccer Association (KASA) award for a student athlete who competes in an individual or team school sport and exemplifies values such as leadership, commitment and sportsmanship – Pravit Joshi
• Kincardine Hawthorne Community Clinic Physicians Group award for high-achieving students entering the medical field – Shaheryar Afzaal and Karina Baumann
• KDSS Participation award – Madison Kelly, Brennan Barker, Ryan Cossey and Logan Talbot
• KDSS Home and School Association award – Nathan Pollock
• KDSS Knight of the Year - Carter Snobelen
• KDSS Students' Council Activity award – Molly Rutledge
• Knox Church Kincardine scholarship for a graduate entering a “helping profession” that nurtures the growth of, or addresses the problems of, a person’s physical, psychological, intellectual, emotional or spiritual well-being, including medicine, nursing, psychotherapy, psychological counselling, social work, education and ministry – Ishpreet Gill
• Larry Bannerman Foundation award for deserving, hardworking students who have demonstrated resiliency on their path to graduation – Coral Middelkamp
• Leslie D. Ray scholarships for the top four graduates proceeding to university – David Ertel (99.8%), Carter Snobelen (98%), Jennifer McLarty (98%), Ryerson Carnell (97.2%)
• MacKinnon academic award for excellence in English, social sciences, Canadian and world studies, math and science – Carter Snobelen
• Matheson-Pioneers memorial scholarship for high academic standing and furthering studies at university – Jaxon Rooyakkers
• Matt Watson Memorial award, in memory of a KDSS graduate, fondly remembered for his kindness, compassion and helpfulness; a fantastic athlete and Knight of the Year for his graduating class; a hard worker, on and off the field – Trent Houghton
• Mohindra Family award of excellence in the area of science and mathematics - Isabel Ulak
• No. 253 Order of the Eastern Star (Bruce Chapter) award - Megan Pope
• Northern Light Lodge No. 93 bursary - Ravlin Kaur
• Ontario Power Generation awards for students entering a technological program at college or university – Travis Richardson
• NEW: Pat Stewart Volunteer award, for a graduating student who has demonstrated ongoing volunteer service throughout the school over multiple years and during different school events – Aniella Peterson
• Principal’s Leadership award – Carter Snobelen
• Retired Teachers of Ontario Community award, for a student who contributes to his/her school and community – Gavin Perry
• Rick Rock Memorial award, for a student who kind-heartedly assists those in need, without persuasion, or seeking recognition for his/her kindness – Rachel Rumbold
• Ripley Legion Ladies' Auxiliary award for a student continuing his/her education and has resided in Huron Township or Ripley – Caden Chapman
• Ripley Shipping Association award for a student entering post-secondary education related to agriculture – Cheyan Kreller
• Rob Gleeson Mathematics award for a graduate who displays a genuine enthusiasm for math outside the course content – David Ertel
• Rotary Business award - Carter Snobelen
• Rotary Creative Pathways award, for a graduate who has overcome academic, physical or personal challenges – Aaron Biehl
• South Bruce Grey Health Centre, Kincardine, Auxiliary bursary for a student pursuing a post-secondary program allied to the medical field – Madelyne Zettle
• Susan Quinn Catto Memorial award, in memory of the co-owner of Quinn Florist who was a pillar of the community, known for her beautiful flower arrangements and kind demeanour, and an impactful co-operative education employer for many KDSS students, inspiring them to explore their creativity – Jennifer McLarty
• Troy Snobelen Memorial award for a student who exemplifies ambition and work ethic, with respect for colleagues and community – Jack Beddington
• UBC Local 2222 Skilled Trades Bursary for a student pursuing post-secondary education in the carpentry field – Jaden Meyer
• Valedictorian award - Shaheryar Afzaal
• Vernon Hodgins Memorial Scholarship in Agriculture for a student who demonstrates a value for the education of future farmers who will keep agriculture viable for generations – Austin Hodgins
• West Wawanosh Agricultural award - Ava Gratto
• Gardiner Pioneer Scholarship for a student graduating with the highest average in his/her final year of high school – David Ertel
• Governor General's Academic medal for the student with the highest average in his/her graduating year – David Ertel