Nine graduates honoured at Our Lady of the Way School inStratton

By Jack Elliott
Correspondent

As in all things at Our Lady of the Way School in Stratton, enthusiasm was at the boiling point as family and friends gathered on Wednesday, July 20, 2007 to honour nine Grade 8 graduates. It was a contrast in dress extremes with the graduates dressed to the nines and the staff boasting the casual Hawaiian look
In a candle lit procession the graduates marched in: Sarah Carlson, Audrey Chojko-Bolec, Joshua Halverson, Cody Heyens, Greg Leonard, Rylee Mowe, Alexis Sharp, Marissa Smith, and Adrian Vandenbrand.
Erika Tymkin opened the celebrations with her stirring rendition of O Canada. Principal Brendan Hyatt introduced the graduates while Board of Trustees representative Mark Chojko-Bolec asked the opening prayer.
Student awards included Smith for proficiency in Ojibwe, while Chojko-Bolec received the same honour for French as well as Top Female Athlete. Cody Heyens was Top Male athlete and also nabbed the Science Award. Rylee Mowe gathered in the Computer Technology Award, the School Council Fine Arts Award, and Christian Attitude Award. Alexis Sharp garnered the Rainy River CWL Award, the Father Florentine Council Award, and the Leadership Award. Adrian Vandenbrand wrapped up the presentations accepting the Most Improved Student Award, the Principal’s Award, and the Student of the year Award.
Class Valedictorian, Alexis Sharp delivered a bubbly and spirited summary of her fellow students, teachers, and her years at OLW. Her infectious humour and anecdotes kept the gymnasium roaring with laughter.
A social hour followed the completion of the program.
Our Lady of the Way School at Stratton operates under the Northwest Catholic School Board. A smaller elementary school with 77 students, it was recently identified by the Ministry of Education as one of the top 15 schools in Ontario for achieving physical activity excellence across its student body.