Donald Teuma-Castelletti
SHAWVILLE Nov. 11, 2017
Last June’s graduates of Pontiac High School returned to their old stomping grounds Saturday night, as a crowd of proud parents, teachers, friends and community members cheered at their official convocation.
Despite receiving their diplomas by mail earlier this year, returning graduates took over the gym as they were called upon to cross the stage, shake their principal’s hand and stop for a quick photo-op as cameras flashed from the audience.
“This is the night we’ve waited for, this is it,” said PHS principal Debra Stephens, beaming from the podium at the opening ceremonies. “This is it and we’re so proud of you.”
Stephens knew just what to say to push some parents’ emotions over the top, as she spoke highly of all of her graduates.
“Parents are having flashbacks of your lives, no doubt wondering where the time went,” she said. “You’ve just proven that you can overcome anything you want to do.”
She also encouraged all the grads to reflect on their time in school and hoped that they learned not only from their teachers and textbooks, but from the many life experiences they endured. Stephens also wished them well as they continue their next chapter, encouraging them to remember their roots,
“I hope that you remember that you came from a school, a community that cares about you,” said Stephens. “I hope that you can take a moment this evening to let that sink in.”
After the graduates crossed the stage, over 50 special awards and bursaries were handed out.
One award that didn’t go out to students, however, was also distributed this evening. The WQSB Outstanding Volunteer Award was presented to Rick Valin, for his dedication in leading clubs, committees and school events.
After this, WQSB Chairman James Shea took to the podium to wish the graduates well.“No matter what it is that you do, careers or whatnot, you will get a tremendous amount of value from doing community service,” said Shea. “The one common thread that you will have is the opportunity to make a contribution to your fellow man.”
Finally, it was time for class valedictorian Kiesha Kluke to deliver her rousing speech, a look to the past as she pushed everyone to the future.
“After five plus years … we finally find ourselves stepping onstage to get that little piece of paper that opens so many opportunities,” said Kluke.
She continued with references to favourite moments with teachers and classmates over the years, before speaking for everyone when she admitted that there will be plenty that the group will miss about their school.
“High school is just one adventure in our lives,” she continued. “Now it’s time to begin a new adventure, to make new memories.”
Prizes – Class of 2017
Chris Wrinn Memorial Plaque for Student Government President and Vice President: Hanna Leclair, Hayley Pilon.
English Department Prize for Highest Standing in English Sec. V: Kiesha Kluke.
Heritage College Endowment Fund Bursary: Stacy Dubeau.
Louis Welsh Memorial Bursary: Kyle Sheppard.
Lions Club of Bryson Bursary: Garret Dumoulin.
Bryson Lionettes Club Prize: Jordan Denault.
Lions Club of Quyon Bursaries: Danny Dolan, Paige Young.
Lions Club of Shawville Memorial Bursary: Cassandra Butler.
Lions Club of Shawville Plaque for Highest Academic Standing: William Hayes, Kiesha Kluke.
Municipality of Bristol Bursary: Hanna Leclair.
Municipality of Clarendon Bursary: Kailee Toupin, Charles Wickens.
Municipality of Campbell’s Bay Bursary: James Murray.
Municipality of Otter Lake Bursary: Kiesha Kluke.
Municipality of Shawville Bursaries: William Hayes, Katelyn Heins.
Municipality of Litchfield Bursary: Emma Pilon.
Municipality of Mansfield-et-Pontefract Bursary: Holly Romain.
Oktoberfest Ladysmith Scholarships: Jensen Hodgins, Owen Kluke.
PHS Governing Board Prize for Physics: Emily Becker.
PHS Governing Board Prize for Chemistry: Brianna Shea.
PHS Governing Board Prize for Highest in Senior Phys. Ed: Kodey Albert, Hanna Leclair.
Office of André Fortin, local MNA for the Pontiac: Eric Forgues, Adam Howard Abigail Leach, Jessie McCoshen, Michael Walls.
Pontiac Clergy Association Bursary: Chloe Lemay.
The Shawn Campbell Memorial Welding Bursary: Hanna Leclair.
The Hazel Dupuis Prize for School Perseverance: Jordan Denault, Colin Dubé, Hannah Feehan-Forlini, Edward Lariviere, William Miron-Dunbar.
Quyon Lionettes Prize: Sam Howard.
Shawville Odd Fellows Award: Clare Barry, Zach Cameron, Erika Ellison, Justin Gibeault Dana Nugent, Hailey Richard, Paige Young.
Shawville Lionettes Club Prize: Cassandra Butler, Brianna Shea.
Shawville Rotary Club Plaque for Student Government President & Vice President: Hanna Leclair, Hayley Pilon.
Shawville Rotary Club Bursaries: Hanna Leclair, Hayley Pilon.
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Memorial Bursary in Honour of Lloyd Neville: Dalton Amyotte, Rebecca Kelly.
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Memorial Bursary in Honour of Jean Neville: Ashley Lavoie, Holly Romain.
St. Mary`s Catholic Women`s League Bursary: Jacob Proulx.
Student Government Plaque for Outstanding School Spirit: JD Cuthbertson.
Thomas Narlock Memorial Award for Law: Kiesha Kluke.
Promutuel Shawville Bursaries: Nick Emmerson, Sarah Young.
W.A. Hodgins Prize for Scientific Math Sec. V: Kiesha Kluke.
Yearbook Prize for Dedication and Service: Adam Howard, Hanna Leclair.
Pontiac Agriculture Society Prize for Agriculture: Ryan Howard.
Western Quebec School Board Citizenship and Leadership Award: Hanna Leclair.
The Fairy Godmother Shoppe Bursary: JD Cuthbertson, Hayley Pilon.
McGill University Science Award: Emily Becker.
McGill University Social Science Award: Kiesha Kluke.
Autobus Lasalle Bursary: Ronan Kelly, Nicholas Latulippe.
Royal Bank of Canada Bursary: Kyle Armitage.
Ahmad Hassan Pharmacy Bursary: Tynesha Hodgins.
Centre Dentaire du Pontiac Bursary: Vanessa Lafleur, Hayley Pilon.
In Memory of Bonnie Potvin: Ashley Kluke.
In Memory of Ruth Racine: Emma Kluke.
Classic Cars by Lucy Kingsbury: Meagan McGuire.
Shawville Fair Classic Car Show 2017: Kaleb Hodgins.
The Betty Petty Citizenship and Achievement Award for French: Brianna Shea.
Hayes Funeral Home Bursary: Jordan Denault.
Principal`s Award of Distinction for achieving 80% or more: Emily Becker, William Hayes, Katelyn Heins, Tynesha Hodgins, Kiesha Kluke, Hanna Leclair, Brianna Shea, Kailee Toupin.
Pontiac High School Commemorative Watch for the Highest Standing in the Graduating Class: Kiesha Kluke.
Governor General`s Academic Medal for the Highest Standing in the Graduating Class: Kiesha Kluke.
