WEST CARLETON – From all four corners of West Carleton, students in Grade 6, 8 and 12 celebrated a huge milestone while getting ready for the first day in the next chapter of their young lives.

More than 500 young West Carleton students attended their respective schools for the last time this week and participated in ceremonies marking the achievement on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (June 25, 26 and 27). West Carleton Online attended every single one.

“This is an emotional and special time,” West Carleton Secondary School (WCSS) Principal Shannon Adams told the filled-to-capacity W. Erskine Johnston Arena during the high school’s June 27 ceremony.

He could have been speaking for any West Carleton-based principal.

“This is my favourite time of year,” he told the more than 300-strong WCSS Class of 2019. “The successful culmination of the journey of education that began some 14 years ago. This day may have seemed a lifetime away for you, but it is finally here.”

This was an incredibly challenging year for students in West Carleton who dealt with two natural disasters in the same year they would be graduating. But the youth of West Carleton stepped up time and time again donating their time to the community’s recovery, first from last fall’s tornado, and then again from this spring’s extreme flooding.

“You have shown our community, this city and the country what character means,” Adams said. “I’m so proud.”

Five separate ceremonies took place for the five West Carleton public and Catholic schools kicking off with St. Michael’s Catholic School Corkery’s Grade 6 leaving ceremony on Tuesday morning (June 25).

St. Michael’s Catholic School Corkery

CORKERY – Corkery students move on to new schools after Grade 6, and the following students celebrated their successful completion of Grade 6:

Meghan Bain, Emily Barry, Maya Bukovcan, Katharine Callahan, Andrea Conahan-Cruz, Colton Crosby, Linden Cutler, Oisin Dolan, Boston Dolter, Madison Dowdall, Simon Edgar, Grace Gartner, Bridget Green, Benjamin Hiel, Grace Hiel, Noah Lavergne, Mackenzie Lorincz, Johan Ludwig, Ewan Mackie, Miriana Malenica, John McCauley, Erica Miriguay, Dylan Morin, Willem Mulder, Nolan Neuheimer, Jesse Oliver, Tom Palsson, Grayson Rebinczak, Emery Schaettgen, Warner Schaettgen, Allyssa Splinter and Chelsea Watson.

St. Michael’s Catholic School Fitzroy Harbour

FITZROY HARBOUR – St. Michael’s in Fitzroy Harbour is the only Kindergarten to Grade 8 school in the Ottawa Catholic School Board. On Tuesday evening (June 25) students and family took part in a 6:30 p.m. mass before heading across the street to the school for a graduation ceremony.

Graduates include Cole Nephin, Raeleah Koradi, Niko Spahich, Carter Jardine, Bradin Howe Conlin, Eowyn Tomiczek, Dakota Swire, Haley Chupick, Kale Davis-Jeanveaux, Lukas Raz, Joshua Oliveira, Dominic Sbardella, Emma Kennedy and Marley Brodersen.

Lukas Raz was honoured with the Top Academic Student award.

Stonecrest Elementary School

KINBURN – The Stonecrest Elementary School graduation featured more than 100 students attending Stonecrest for the last time ever (as students).

Young violinists greeted guests at the door and the graduates took the tradition walk down Stonecrest’s long hall to thunderous applause by the rest of the student body and staff lined along the walls and in to the gym where the celebration would be held.

Unfortunately, the school was out of programs for West Carleton Online and we have yet to receive a list of students, but we do have some of the award winners. Edan Haley and Garret Box were the class valedictorians.

“Our valedictorians were chosen because they are strong students, good role models, leaders amongst their peers and always demonstrate a positive attitude and strong work ethic,” Principal Cindy Alce said.

Box also received the Principal’s Leadership Award for showing tremendous leadership by participating in various aspects of the school community.   Congratulations Stonecrest grads.

Huntley Centennial Public School

CARP – It was the first of two graduations hosted at the W. Erskine Johnston Arena on Wednesday evening (June 26) for the some 50 students, their family and school staff celebrating.

Huntley graduates include Aidan Armstrong, Ethan Atack, Owen Atherfold, Alliance Barnes, Beauty Barnes, Jordyn Broadhurst, Cody Brown, Parker Byce, Brendan Carrington, Kayla Caughell, Alicia Cavanagh, Max Corcoran, Emma Croucher, Tara Davis, Callan Dent, Shanna Deugo, Jackson Drain, Jakob Drew, Jessie Duck, Aileen Durant, Maha Eldali, Kirsten Griese, Bryant Harris, Max Henckel, Dani Henderson, Rachel Heuchert, Morgan Hunt, Preston Hunter, Avery Ikede, Jorha Jaakkola, Cole Keefer, Carson Knight, Jack Kinght, Nicholas Lachance, Kaleb Lacroix, Marisa Latorre, Olivia Leonard, Lily Lim, Dane Lindhard Smith, Devin Lothrop, Madison MacDonald, Zachary Magar, Mikyla McCorkick, Vincent Nguyen, Kaya Novotny, William Oliver, Kian O’Neill, Roni Osorio, Cami Patey, Suzanna Persaud, Larel Pychul, Toby Richardson, Bowen Ross, Maia Russell, Derek Shepherd, Carly Shock, Tristam Spanglett, David Spry, Shivahn Sullivan, Saige Titus, Jordan Van Vliet and Lauren Wasitis.

Graduate Jorja Jaakola received the Principal’s Trophy recognizing the student who shows “remarkable leadership in all aspects of school life.” Toby Richardson and Mikyla McCormick are the school valedictorians.

West Carleton Secondary School

CARP – More than 300 students make up the WCSS Class of 2019. No surprise to West Carleton Online, Samantha Sharp was named WCSS valedictorian – a student who can be found all over the Schools Section of West Carleton Online (as well as many other WCSS award-winning students). Congratulations to all of West Carleton’s graduating students.