Brett Thoms
Shawville November 5, 2022
Walking into the gym to the classic graduation song Pomp and Circumstance, the 42 graduating students of Pontiac High School’s (PHS) class of 2022 celebrated their graduation ceremony on Saturday night in the high school’s gym.
The young adults received their diplomas, heard speeches, received various awards and bursaries, as all their friends and families looked on.
Debra Stephens, principal of Pontiac High School served as the host for the ceremony. She was joined on the podium by Director General of the Western Quebec School Board (WQSB) Mike Dubeau, Commissioner of the WQSB Greg Graham, and the director general of Heritage College Terry Kharyati, among other PHS staff.
During his speech, Graham welcomed the graduates as full members of the Pontiac community.
“As you start your careers, you will become our business leaders, community organizers, tradespeople, professionals, farmers, politicians, teachers, entrepreneurs – you become part of that larger community. You’re now fully responsible members of that community. And on behalf of everyone who’s already there, welcome,” said Graham.
Stephens’ principal’s address to the student asked the students to take pride in their accomplishments.
“This is what all the tears and the hard work and the sleepless nights and the worry was all about,” said Stephens. “We are here to honour you this evening because you made this happen.”
Stephens’ speech centred on the theme of community, whether that be the graduates, fellow students, the staff at PHS or the Pontiac in general.
“We are so fortunate in PHS to have incredible support from our outside community members as well. Members of municipal governments, local service clubs, churches, local businesses, others schools, and our school board who also support the school and our students in ways that no one even knows about,” said Stephens.
Followed by Stephens’ speeches students walked across the podium to receive their high school diplomas, followed by nine students who received welding certificates, which is a special program offered by PHS.
Following the handing out of the certificates was the handing out of the almost 60 awards and bursaries to the graduating class of 42. Some awards were also given out to multiple recipients.
Valedictorian Maureen Lintag won the most awards including the Lions Club Plaque for Highest Academic Standing, the PHS Governing Board Prize for Physics, PHS Governing Board Prize for Chemistry, the W.A. Hodgins Prize for Scientific Math Sec. V, the Municipality of Bryson Bursary, the Bryson R.A Centre bursary, the P.R.I.S.M Award, the Carrefour Engagement Award, a Lloyd Cone Memorial Bursary, the Pontiac High School Commemorative Watch for Highest Standing in the Graduating Class and the Governor General’s Academic Medal for the Highest Standing the Graduating Class.
Special awards were also given out to staff.
“The WQSB’s Citizenship and Leadership serves to recognize students or staff who work towards expanding leadership and citizenship by constantly supporting and contributing to their school communities through public service and voluntary endeavours at my school,” explained Stephens. “The entire staff has an opportunity to select a recipient so they choose based on leadership, school community service activities and volunteer work. I think it speaks volumes when the staff decides to recognize the same staff member this year once again. This award is presented to Jordan Kent.”
The presentation finished off with a speech by the Valedictorian Maureen Lintag.
“Congratulations on enduring these five years. It’s now time to venture off onto our paths, our goals and our futures, I wish you the best of luck. I know you’re all determined to do great, I know that you’re all capable, I know that with a little push you will achieve what you want to achieve,” said Lintag during the conclusion of her speech.
With that, all that remained was the final throwing of caps, which ended the ceremony.
