25 graduate from RRHS

By Ken Johnston
Editor

Last Wednesday marked a milestone for 25 individuals in Rainy River. It was their high school graduation day!
Rainy River High School’s gymnasium was packed with about 400 people who came out to help celebrate the achievements of the class of 2011.
Rainy River District School Board trustee Dianne McCormack addressed both the grads and the crowd. “This is an end and a beginning for you grads. It is the end of your childhood and the beginning of the rest of your life.”
She set the tone for the evening with many speakers echoing her theme that the students are now the “Masters of your own destinies!”
She encouraged them to not only learn from books but from their experiences and the people they meet. “The smallest of things influence who you are and who you will become.”
Principal Jim Chorney added to the theme noting that all their experiences, whether it was academics, sports, social networking help develop their character. “It is not something you are graded on, but people will judge you by your character. You build it piece by piece.”
Chorney recalled words his dad told him as a young man playing hockey, “Now get out there and do something!”
School Council Chair Gaylene Jasper echoed McCormack’s advice when she remarked, “It is up to you to take yourself where you want to go!”
Co-valedictorians, Audrey Chojko-Bolec and Mitch Haw used their time at the podium to make nice comments about each of their classmates.
In addition to the more than 50 awards, scholarships and bursaries given out to graduates (See list on A1), a special presentation was made to parent Krystal Vandenbrand. She was given a bouquet of flowers for her efforts in organizing chem-free grad.
There were also two Alternative Education Graduates recognized in the evening's program. Colin Johnson and Aaron Lowes completed their diplomas as well.
All the graduates were presented with their diplomas before the evening wrapped up with visiting and chem-free grad.