October 24, 2026
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The Class of 2026 was honoured at the Kincardine District Senior School Grade 12 Commencement, held Friday night, Oct. 9, at the school.
The evening began with the graduates being piped in, 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 all 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.
The Grade 12 diplomas and awards were presented, as well as the DELF certificates and Specialist High Skills Majors. After the presentation of awards, valedictorian Lilly Tremblay gave her address.
The following graduates won awards at commencement:
A.E. Nelson Scholarship for a high-ranking graduate who intends to pursue a career in teaching – Cayley Williamson
Al Davis Award for Community Safety for a student pursuing policing, a career in the military or a related discipline of helpfulness – Wyatt Sheppard
Al Kozak Construction Scholarship, for a student who graduates despite having faced challenges along the way - Yana Khozikova
Audrey and Lester Ferguson Award for a student furthering his/her studies in social sciences – Delaney Coutts
Beta Sigma Phi (Epsilon/Alpha chapter) Award for excellence in a co-op program – Summer McClure
Beta Sigma Phi (Xi/Zeta/Gamma chapters) Award for making a significant contribution to the school – Lilly Tremblay
Bruce Power Award for a female student entering skilled trades or technologies – Zoe Virtue
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 – Dylan Kaminski
Bumper to Bumper Scholarship for a student continuing in automotive technology – Coltrane McDonald
Canadian Federation of University Women Award for high academic achievement and personal determination – Isabella and Gabrielle Geberdt
County of Bruce Agricultural Scholarship for a student who is continuing his/her education in a field related to agriculture – Lucas Freeman
CPF Bluewater Kincardine and District French Award – Parker Talbot
D.P. Arscott Student Leadership Scholarship, recognizes genuine student leadership and outstanding contribution to the lives of KDSS students – Lilly Tremblay
Don and Irene MacKenzie Award for a student who has resided in Huron Township, maintained academic standing and participated in school life – Penny Small
Dr. A.E.H. Couch Bursary for graduates entering a medical field or biological sciences – Alyssa Collins
NEW: Earl, Margret and Eunice McConnell Award, recognizes a student from Tiverton who is active in the community – Shayleigh Nolan
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 – Isabella Geberdt
Entente Community Service Award (formerly the Retired Teachers' Award) for a student who contributes to his/her school and community – Cole Cepek
Foundations for the Future Award, sponsored by the One Point Association of Realtors, for a student who is shaping his/her own future and contributing to building the community of tomorrow – Ethan Wilken
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 – Cole Perry
Grant Helm Scholarship for a high-ranking student who has lived in Kincardine Township, Bruce Township or Tiverton for at least 10 years – Trent MacArthur
Janice Matchett Financial Services Business Scholarship – Jude Byle
Kathryn Houston Meisenheimer Memorial Scholarship for a deserving student who has demonstrated a caring attitude, positivity and perseverance – Madison Forster
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 – Avery Chilton
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 – Sophie Rock
Kincardine Hawthorne Community Clinic Physicians Group Award for high-achieving students entering the medical field – Lilly Pace and Makayla Fyke
KDSS Home and School Association Award – Esha Gill
KDSS Knight of the Year - Norah Gratto
KDSS Students' Council Activity Award – Tanvi Shah
Knox Presbyterian 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 – Joel Broere
Larry Bannerman Foundation Award for a deserving, hard-working student who has demonstrated resiliency on the path to graduation – Chloie Bresett
Leslie D. Ray Scholarships for the top four graduates proceeding to university – Rebecca Thompson (98.3%), Cole Perry (97.2%), Kate Thompson (97%) and Parker Talbot (95.3%)
MacKinnon Academic Award for excellence in English, social sciences, Canadian and world studies, math and science – Samantha D'Arcey
Matheson-Pioneers Memorial Scholarship for high academic standing and furthering studies at university – Poppy Finner
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; and a hard worker, on and off the field – Ewan Scott
Mohindra Family Award of Excellence in the areas of science and mathematics - Katherine Thompson
No. 253 Order of the Eastern Star (Bruce Chapter) Award - Aniella Peterson
Northern Light Lodge No. 93 Bursary - Irelyn Nixon
Ontario Power Generation Award for a student entering a technological program at college or university – Ty McQuillin
Pat Stewart Volunteer Award for a student who has consistently volunteered throughout his/her time at KDSS, showing kindness, initiative, and a selfless commitment to helping others without seeking recognition – Norah Gratto
Principal’s Leadership Award – Norah Gratto
Rick Rock Memorial Award, for a student who kind-heartedly assists those in need, without persuasion, or seeking recognition for his/her kindness – Abi Palmer
Ripley-Huron Legion Ladies' Auxiliary Award for a student continuing his/her education and has resided in Huron Township or Ripley – Dylan Neitzel
Ripley Shipping Association Award for a student entering post-secondary education related to agriculture – Rylee Fischuk
Rob Gleeson Mathematics Award for a graduate who displays a genuine enthusiasm for math outside the course content – Cole Perry
Rotary Business Award - Saige Wise
Rotary Creative Pathways Award, for a graduate who has overcome academic, physical or personal challenges – Paige Lowry
South Bruce Grey Health Centre, Kincardine Hospital Auxiliary Bursary for a student pursuing a post-secondary program allied to the medical field – Serena Hunter
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 was an impactful co-operative education employer for many KDSS students, inspiring them to explore their creativity – Siennah Pye
UBC Local 2222 Skilled Trades Bursary for a student pursuing post-secondary education in the carpentry field – Hayley Lachance
Valedictorian Award - Lilly Tremblay
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 – Alyssa and Alexis Scott
West Wawanosh Agricultural Award - Emma MacDonald
Gardiner Pioneer Scholarship for a student graduating with the highest average in his/her final year of high school – Rebecca Thompson
Governor General's Academic Medal for the student with the highest average in his/her graduating year – Rebecca Thompson
Written ByLiz Dadson is the founder and editor of the Kincardine Record and has been in the news business since 1986.
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