Nine graduate from Our Lady of the Way School in Stratton

By Jack Elliott
Correspondent

On Tuesday evening, June 23, family and friends gathered at Our Lady of the Way School in Stratton to honour this year’s graduating class. The nine students receiving their Grade 8 diploma were Tyrell Chojko-Bolec, Jacob Halverson, Alisha Hunter, Morgan Jourdain, Leo Manning, Colton Marchuk, Amie Seguin, Kayle Stamler and Molly Smith.
M.C. for the evening, teacher Meghan Haley opened the ceremony introducing the students in the processional. Following singing of O Canada, Father Alan Albao, newly appointed priest at OLOW, offered the opening prayer, and Mark Chojko-Bolec, trustee, brought greetings from the board.
Morgan Jourdain received the award for Proficiency in Ojibwe, and Molly Smith the Science award. Alisha Hunter was recognized as Top Female Athlete and also received the School Council Fine Arts Award. Leo Manning took home the Computer Technology Award.
The balance of the awards went to two individuals. Colton Marchuk received the Rainy River Christian Attitude and the Father Florentine Council awards, as well as the Most Improved Student and the Principal’s Award. Tyrell Chojko-Bolec took top honours for Proficiency in French, Top Male Athlete, Emo Christian Attitude Award, the Ontario Elementary Catholic Teachers Association award and the T.N.C.D.S.B. Leadership Award.
Alisha Hunter performed a beautiful rendition of the Welcome Song and delivered a heartfelt Valedictory Address detailing some quirks and humourous incidents enjoyed with her classmates. The audience was also treated to a slide show featuring memories the graduates from birth to graduation.
Principal Brendan Hyatt delivered the commencement address challenging students to ‘be the success you deserve’ and ‘never give up’. Hyatt pointed to the examples of Dr Seuss and Walt Disney, who overcame initial disappointments and failure, to go on to achieve greatness.
Following the ceremony, the graduates and the audience enjoyed refreshments and fellowship.
Our Lady of the Way is one of the smaller elementary schools in the Catholic education system, but it has received repeated Ontario and Canadian recognition over the years for its innovative programs providing outstanding academic, cultural and physical opportunities to its students