Sturgeon Creek Alternative Program holds grades 8 and 12 graduations

By Jack Elliott
Correspondent

In spite of repeated power interruptions, the Sturgeon Creek Alternative Program School honoured ten Grade 8 and six Grade 12 Graduates at the Sturgeon Creek Gymnasium on Thursday June 19.
Former graduate Simeon Nussbaumer, Master of Ceremonies presided with the graduates and staff processional ushered in to Pomp and Circumstance” performed by the SCAP Student Orchestra. Principal of Sturgeon Creek School and SCAP, and vice-principal Don McBride presented the diplomas and awards to the honourees.
Grade 8 Graduates are Nicole Boven, Jessica Cole, Jenelle Ferris, Sara Gerber, Susanne Gerber, Jimmy Mack, David Martin, Philemon Nussbaumer, Chantel Peters, and Kelsey Veert. The Grade 8 Valedictorian speech was a joint presentation by Jessica Cole and Philemon Nussbaumer.
Grade 12 Graduates are Jordan Beller, Jeremy Cole (final semester RRHS), Andrew Friesen, Stefan Gerber, Dan McBride, and Brandon Olsen. Andrew Friesen delivered a stirring Valedictorian address, ‘Running the Race of Life.’
Academic Awards were: Top Grade 8 student with and average of 89%, Sara Gerber; Grade 9 with 90%, Dirk Friesen; Grade 10 with 84%, Caleb Heerema; Grade 11 with 93%, Felicia Schmutz; Grade 12, with 94%, tied Dan McBride and Andrew Friesen.
Honour Roll Recognition:
Three Times on the Honour Role: Daniel Cunningham, Dirk Friesen, Tyler Friesen, Nicholas Olsen, Bobby Petkau, Ben Lucke, David McBride, Marcus Veldhuisen, Kaitlyn Ferris.
Seven Times on the Honour Roll: Caleb Heerema, Braeden Beller, Ruth Gerber, Miriam Mast, and Stefan Gerber
Eleven Times on the Honour Roll: Stephanie Goodman, Erin Olsen, Courtney Peters, and Felicia Schmutz.
Fourteen Times on the Honour Roll: Brandon Olsen and for 16- every high school reporting period- Jeremy Cole, Andrew Friesen, and Dan McBride
The Emo Feed Bursary of $300.00 went to Andrew Friesen, while the Kaemingh Fuels Bursary of $300.00 went to Brandon Olsen. The Christian Parents Bursary of $250.00 each went to Andrew Friesen and Stefan Gerber. Both Stefan Gerber and Dan McBride received a SCAP Faculty Bursary of $200.
Ontario Scholar Awards were presented to Andrew Friesen, Stefan Gerber, Dan McBride, and Brandon Olsen.
Friend and former teacher Mr. Jim Keesic delivered the ‘Challenge to the Graduates’. Don’t let anyone tell you, ‘you can’t do it’, sated Keesic who faced a mountain of his own personal obstacles before achieving a university degree.
“Yes it will be hard, and yes you will have to work, but you can do it,” he encouraged in a very personal and humourous address.
Another highlight of the ceremony was a slide show of the lives of the Grade 12 graduates to this point.
At the close of formalities friends and relatives were hosted to a Cake and Punch Reception.
SCAP is a faith based K to 12 school program operating under the Rainy River District School Board. Its campus is located just north of Stratton, ON.