One by one they lined the stage, their sophisticated caps and smooth gowns forming a sea of red and black.
Some smiled confidently, eager to take the next step in their young lives. Others bobbed their knees nervously, unsure of what comes next.
This was the scene last Friday, June 26 as the 49 members of Hapnot Collegiate’s Class of 2015 celebrated their graduation.
“Take with you all that we have learned growing up together in Flin Flon,” valedictorian Mackenzie Grove urged her fellow graduates.
Standing at a podium on stage at the Whitney Forum, she said life is about balance and that people must make time for themselves, their family and their friends.
With about 600 family members, friends and guests lining chairs and stands, Grove urged the grads to continue moving beyond life’s obstacles.
Guest speaker George Trevor, who taught some of the graduates dating back to Grade 7, struck an equally upbeat tone.
“Your new beginning is tomorrow,” said Trevor, now vice-principal of École McIsaac School.
In dispensing words of wisdom, he advised students to be kind, avoid jumping to conclusions, get involved with their community and put in the sacrifice success demands.
Combined, top graduates walked away with nearly $50,000 in scholarships and bursaries, the most significant being Hudbay’s WA Green Bursary worth $3,000 a year for up to four years.
Rebecca Kozar, the recipient of that bursary, also accepted the Governor General Bronze Medal for the highest academic average among graduates, along with other bursaries and awards.
In a first for Hapnot, Jeffrey Odegaard graduated with a French Immersion diploma, having earned the necessary 14 high school credits en français.
Not surprisingly, he also received the French Immersion Scholarship, along with two bursaries.
The ceremony concluded with the sharply dressed grads linking arms and marching down Main Street, though the procession was nearly cancelled due to rain.
The students’ safe grad celebration followed at the arena with volunteers ensuring everyone got home safely.
Scholarships, bursaries and awards
Governor General Bronze Medal (highest average): Rebecca Kozar
Hudbay WA Green Bursary ($3,000 a year for up to four years): Rebecca Kozar
Cailie Rae Church Memorial Music and Theatre Bursary ($1,000): Kari Rutherford
Dorion Simon Memorial Bursary ($1,000): Leanna Koop
Flin Flon Fire Dept. Dustin Thompson Memorial Bursary ($1,000): Sierra Kopachinski
Flin Flon School Division Bursary ($1,000): Neal Smedegaard
French Immersion Scholarship ($1,000): Jeffrey Odegaard
Harry Yee Memorial Bursary ($1,000): Devon Puchailo
Herb Simms Endowment Fund Bursary ($1,000 each): Jeffrey Odegaard, Candace Whitford and Mackenzie Grove
IAM Local 1848 Bursary ($1,000): Devon Puchailo
Neil McLennan Memorial Bursary ($1,000): Cassia Yarowy
RM and Ellen McIsaac Memorial Bursary ($1,000): Megan Yarowski
Rotary Club Operation Red Nose Scholarship ($1,000): Mavrick Bryson
Ruth Betts Memorial Bursary ($1,000): Kari Rutherford
Steve Ewing Memorial Bursary ($1,000): Esa Fernandes
Teagan Quinn Memorial Bursary ($1,000): Nicholas Martin
Victor Hook Memorial Bursary ($1,000): Sierra Kopachinski
Catholic Women’s League Bursary ($750): Rebecca Kozar
Knights of Columbus Bursary ($750): Rebecca Kozar
North of 53 Consumers Co-op Bursary ($750): Darwin Wasylciw
Shayne Pearson Memorial Bursaries ($750 each): Kayleigh D’Aoust-Sewap and Kaylee Pardowski
USW Local 7106 Bob Imrie Memorial Bursary ($750): Aimee Roy
Larry Garinger Memorial Bursary ($700): Neal Smedegaard
Safe Grad Committee Bursary ($600): Brianna Kostuchuk
Tri-Service Bursary ($600): Kari Rutherford
Alexander’s Auto Ranch Bursary ($500 each): Ethan Anderson and Henry Chaboyer
Class of 2015 Bursary ($500): Morgan Switzer
Flin Flon Arts Council Bursary ($500): Leanna Koop
Flin Flon-Creighton Parents for Music Education Bursary ($500 each): Jayde Clendenning, Leanna Koop and Kari Rutherford
Flin Flon Health Auxiliary Betty Johnson Memorial Bursary ($500): Kurinchi Vijayaranjan
Flin Flon Trades Association Bursary ($500): Isaac Dufour-Jarvis
Hon. FL Bud Jobin Memorial Bursary ($500): Mackenzie Grove
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1405 Bursary ($500): Esa Fernandes
Joe Brain Memorial Bursary ($500): Neal Smedegaard
Kinettes Bursary ($500): Aimee Roy
Legion Ladies’ Auxiliary Bursary ($500 each): Mackenzie Grove and Megan Yaworski
North Star Rebekah’s Lodge Bursary ($500): Randi Webb
Operating Engineers Local 828 Bursary ($500): Isaac Dufour Jarvis
Trey Wheeler Memorial Bursary ($500): Morgan Switzer
Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 73 Bursaries ($500 each): Aimee Roy and Jayde Reykdal
George VI Memorial Bursary ($450): Kashif Lone
Flin Flon Motorcyclists’ Association Bursary ($350): Jayde Reykdal
Friendship Centre Art Wahlenberg Memorial Bursary ($350): Kayleigh D’Aoust-Sewap
2328 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps. Civilian Sponsoring Group Lieut. Col. Frank S. Gira Bursary ($300): Jeffrey Odegaard
Inner Wheel Club Citizenship Scholarship ($300): Candace Whitford
CUPE Local 8600 Bursary ($250): Jo-Val Klasson
Dorothy K. Ash Memorial Award: Rebecca Kozar
Sparling Trophy: Mackenzie Grove
Hapnot Collegiate Choir Award: Kari Rutherford
Band Director’s Award: Rebecca Kozar
Jazz Director’s Award: Jayde Clendenning
Honour roll
Grade 12 honour roll: Rebecca Kozar; Devon Puchailo; Mackenzie Grove; Darwyn Wasylciw; Kari Rutherford; Kayleigh D’Aoust-Sewap; Aimee Roy; Kashif Lone; Jeffrey Odegaard; Kurinchi Vijayaranjan; Candace Whitford; Megan Yaworski; Sierra Kopachinski; Jayde Reykdal; Neal Smedegaard; Jayde Clendenning; Morgan Switzer.
Grade 11 honour roll: Erin Sloboda; Abby Wiens; Heaven Graham; Ariel Henderson; Louisa Morin; Todd Nawrocki; Raeanne Kozar; Taylor Oliynyk; Madison Mihalicz; Will Hatherly; Kristen Hartl; Darcy Holmen; Myla Bridgeman-Forbes; Anna Quick.
Grade 10 honour roll: Kiele Kittle; Jordyn Petryk; Indra Wood; Wendy Corden; Austin Dubreuil; Ryan Diakow; Casey Cooper; Brandon Kolt; Hasana Church; Calli Lenderbeck; Danielle Nelson; Matt Kozar; Jamie Anaka; Mike Whitbread; Andie Shaw; Parker Mathews; Beth Anderson; Taylor Lawrence; Eric Rutherford; Stephanie Novosel; Jenell Mantyla; Hannah Lahonen; Brooke Johnson; Imogen Hyndman; Kaitlee Sevold; Wyatt Pelletier; Zoey Haugerud; Keegan Roy; Makenna Muench; Talyah Harrison; Lindsey Loder.
Grade 9 honour roll: Nathan Whitbread; Hanna Baynton; Rachel Hyska; Maddy Lies; Jayde Boyd; Gemma Davis; Tessley Korchinski; Lalain Bashir; Mitchell Reid; Jordyn Rosvold; Trish Agpalza; Tyler Highfield; Haven Vankoughnett; Myles Quick; Caitlin Henderson; Naomi Rempel; Haleigh Belcourt; Jayla Wilson; Jesse Hedman; Jayden Laliberty; Mikylo Odut; Destinee Lahonen; John Yarowy; Cherish Lewis Tremblay; Kalena Kittle.
