At the start of the ceremony, the 40-plus graduates dressed in black gowns with square hats entered the large room, following members of PHS faculty. Staff were seated in the front row, while the grads were divided into two seating sections on both sides of the stage.

Eight honours students, distinguished for finishing the year with an average of 80 per cent or more, wore golden sashes over their graduation gowns.

Proceedings began with a brief introduction from PHS’ student government representatives Miguel Rivest and Grace Sally, followed by a rendition of the national anthem, which the audience sang in unison.

Then, the Western Quebec Schoolboard’s (WQSB) Commissioner Heather Egan, and its Director of Education Terry Kharyati gave brief speeches, stating what an honour it was to be present for the occasion and recognized the community for helping the students achieve their goal.

PHS Principal Debra Stephens followed up with a speech of her own where she congratulated the students by telling them that all their efforts over the last five years had finally been rewarded.

“This is it,” she said. “This is what all your hard work and tears and sleepless nights and worry, this is what it was all about.”

She emphasized the importance of the community, when it comes to helping the graduates achieve their goal, from their family members, teachers and local business-people. She also thanked the countless contributions from local businesses and organizations who collectively piled up over $27,000 in bursaries for deserving students.

“We are so fortunate at PHS to have incredible support from our outside community members as well,” she said. “Members of municipal government, local service workers, churches, local businesses and our schoolboards who support this school and our students.”

After that, five graduates were presented with welding certificates after completing the school’s welding program.

Then, Stephens invited a number of members of PHS staff, organizations representatives and other guests to individually present nearly 60 different awards and bursaries to deserving students.

After essentially sweeping the awards table, valedictorian Hailey Dubeau stepped on stage to deliver a speech where she thanked her family, the community and members of PHS staff for assisting her throughout her high school journey and congratulated her fellow graduates.

She shared her thoughts on the ups and downs that the last five years provided and spoke about what she learned from her experience.

“All the memories we’ve made were unreal,” she said. “Every single moment led up to where we are right now.”

Before closing the ceremony, Stephens gave one last speech before the graduates tossed their hats in the air to celebrate their momentous accomplishment.

After the ceremony, attendees headed over to the school cafeteria for a reception, capping the night off in style.

Award recipients were as follows:

Chris Wrinn Memorial Plaque for Student Government President – Rylie Essiambre

English Department Prize for Highest Standing in English Sec. V – Autumn Hovey

Heritage College Endowment Fund Bursary – Hailey Dubeau

Perseverance Entrance Award Heritage College – Nicolas Demers

Louis Welch Memorial Bursaries – Rowan Beardsley, Kristen Gauthier and Shane Kelly

Lions Club of Bryson Bursary – Randal Lachance

Bryson Lionettes Club Prize – Emma Cameron

Lions Club of Quyon Bursaries – Daimon Eades-Laurin, Kaelen Ireland, Rori Richardson and Dustin Young

Lions Club of Shawville Memorial Bursary – Anna Rochon

Lions Club of Shawville Plaques for Highest Academic Standing (Boy/Girl) – Nicolas Demers, and Hailey Dubeau

Municipality of Bristol Bursary – Vanessa Tubman

Municipality of Clarendon Bursaries – Thomas Beck, and McKenna Richardson

Municipality of Campbell’s Bay Bursary – Jordan Larivière

Municipality of Otter Lake Bursary – Hailey Dubeau

Municipality of Shawville Bursaries – Chris Heins and Autumn Hovey

Municipality of Litchfield Bursaries – Josée Graveline and Emily Horner

Municipality of Mansfield-et-Pontefract Bursary – Melody Freeland

Oktoberfest Ladysmith Scholarships – Kate Duggan and Chelsey Miljour

PHS Governing Board Prize for Physics – Hailey Dubeau

PHS Governing Board Prize for Chemistry – Hailey Dubeau

PHS Governing Board Prize for Highest in Senior Phys. Ed. – Adam Chabot and Hailey Dubeau

Pontiac Clergy Association Bursary – Rowan Beardsley

Office of André Fortin, local MNA for the Pontiac – Eden Finan and Kole Tuckey

The Shawn Campbell Memorial Welding Bursary – Ryan Brownlee

The Hazel Dupuis Prizes for School Perseverance – Konnor Beck, Hunter Essiambre, Alyssa Harris, Tyler Stewart Kluke and Dylan Trudeau

Quyon Lionettes Prize – Nicolas Demers

Shawville Odd Fellows Awards – Kristen Gauthier, Emily Horner and Alexa Larivière

Shawville Lionettes Club Prizes – Makayla Kluke and Hannah Nichiporowich

Shawville Rotary Club Plaque for Student Government President – Rylie Essiambre

Shawville Rotary Club Bursary, Rylie Essiambre

St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Memorial Bursaries in Honour of Lloyd Neville – Bryanna Belland and Melody Freeland

St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Memorial Bursaries in Honour of Jean Neville – Emily Horner and Josée Graveline

St. Mary’s Catholic Women’s League Bursary – Rori Richardson

Student Government Plaque for Outstanding School Spirit – Emma Cameron

Thomas Narlock Memorial Award for Law – Nicolas Demers

Promutuel Shawville Bursaries – Emma MacDonell and Grant Moore

W.A. Hodgins Prize for Scientific Math Sec. V – Hailey Dubeau

The Fairy Godmother Shoppe Bursaries – Lila Galipeau and McKenna Richardson

McGill University Science

Award – Hailey Dubeau

McGill University Social Science Award – Nicolas Demers

Autobus Lasalle Bursary – Rori Richardson

Centre Dentaire du Pontiac Bursary – Vanessa Tubman

Bryson Cruise Night Prizes – Konnor Beck, Thomas Beck, Rayden Besharah, Hunter Essiambre, Kaelen Ireland, Shane Kelly, Emma MacDonell and Kole Tuckey

The Betty Petty Citizenship and Achievement Award for French – Adam Chabot

Hayes Funeral Home Bursaries – Morgan Benoit, Rayden Besharah, Hailey Dubeau, Grant Moore and Anna Rochon

Carl Tubman Memorial Award for Welding – Kaelen Ireland

The Deborah Smith Memorial Bursaries – Morgan Benoit and Melody Freeland

Municipality of Bryson Bursaries – Morgan Benoit and Adam Chabot

Bryson R.A. Centre – Emma Cameron

The James Shea Memorial Bursary – Jarre tt Musgrove

The P.R.I.S.M. Award – Hailey Dubeau

The Ellard Perry Memorial Awards – Jamie Drolet and Julie Drolet

Forces Avenir Commitment to Education – Kate Duggan

Forces Avenir Perseverance in Education – Rori Richardson

Principal’s Award of Distinction for achieving 80% or more – Thomas Beck, Emma Cameron, Nicolas Demers, Hailey Dubeau, Rylie Essiambre, Melody Freeland, Lila Galipeau and Vanessa Tubman

Lloyd Cone Memorial Bursaries – Hailey Dubeau and Nicolas Demers

Pontiac High School Commemorative Watch for the Highest Standing in the Graduating Class – Hailey Dubeau

Governor General’s Academic Medal for the Highest Standing in the Graduating Class – Hailey Dubeau.

On Saturday night, Pontiac High School celebrated its class of 2019 graduates in front of over 200 friends and family in attendance. Pictured, students toss their hats into the air at the end of the ceremony.

PHS Principal Debra Stephens presents valedictorian Hailey Dubeau with a commemorative watch for the highest standing in the graduating class.

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