PHS celebrates class of 2024
McDowell class of 2024 celebrates achievements
Dr. S.E. McDowell’s graduating class of 2024 crossed the stage at the school on Thursday in front of a crowd of fellow students, proud parents and guardians.
The class of approximately three dozen Grade 6 students entered the gym to the familiar Pomp and Circumstance graduation tune and took their seats at the front of the room.
The ceremony was supposed to happen the day before, on Thursday, but the school’s closure due to the heat wave forced the school administration to reschedule.
School principal Bessie Tsatoumas took a minute to thank the students and parents alike for accommodating the schedule change.
“I want to thank the parents for making it today for our kiddos. For your kiddos.”
Each graduate received a pair of gifts. Some graduates had expressed anxiety at having to use a padlock at high school next year, so their grade 2 and 3 classmates gifted each graduate a lock so they can practice over the summer.
Each graduate also received a paperweight rock, a gift which, one teacher said, will “remind them to be rock-solid and hand in their homework on time.”
Academic and athletic awards were presented to Monika Belland, Zachary Gauthier, Eldon Knox, Roslyn McCann, Jack Sally, Ethan Thomas, and Ivy Thompson.
After the awards were handed out, graduates stood up together to sing a song, accompanied on the piano by their music teacher.
The ceremony concluded with a McDowell tradition — throwing paper airplanes off the stage into the audience, to symbolize taking off on the next stage of their academic journey.
Ten students cross the stage at Dr. Wilbert Keon
Parents, grandparents, and friends of this year’s 10 Dr. Wilbert Keon School graduates gathered at the Upper Pontiac Sports Complex in Chapeau on Saturday to celebrate the students’ accomplishments.
Interim Principal Christine Emond, who also served as the emcee for the evening, explained the celebration has been a rite of passage for graduates for decades.
“I’m on my third generation of students right now, so I’m very blessed to have worked here this whole time, and I’m very proud, and I’m excited to see them as adults,” Emond said.
The evening featured a lovely meal of roast beef, chicken, apple crisp and strawberry shortcake catered by Pembroke’s Ullrich’s restaurant, an awards presentation, and a slideshow created by the students, showcasing their journey throughout the school year.
“It’s a wonderful community event,” Emond said. “Many of the parents graduated here as well, and it’s special to see multiple generations experiencing this milestone in the same space.”
Among the graduates was Leiya Fischer, who was nominated valedictorian for the class. She said she was surprised to find out about her achievement.
“I wasn’t quite sure if I was going to, but when I did, I got super nervous and excited at the same time,” Fischer said.
Fischer hopes to pursue a career in journalism, with plans to attend Carleton University after completing her Grade 12 year in Ontario.
“I really like being a journalist because it’s super fun and you get to let others understand what’s going on,” she explained. “It wouldn’t just be a job; it’s something I enjoy doing.”
This year’s other graduates are Marcelo Blanco, Kadyn Gillard, Brent Labre, Isabelle Lepine, Carson Michaud, Tanner Pilon, Dylan Pittuck, Landon St-Cyr and Kyra Techner.
