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Our Lady of Fatima celebrates virtual graduation with two valedictorians

Valedictorians, Stephanie Corbin and Braidon Jordan, offered words of encouragement to their classmates
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This year’s Grade 8 graduates at Elliot Lake’s Our Lady of Fatima Catholic (OLOF) School marked two different milestones in the school’s history on Wednesday.

The 16 graduates, staff and families celebrated a bit differently this year with virtual distancing on ZOOM and speeches by two valedictorians.  

“Graduates gathered on Wednesday, June 24 for a special ZOOM meal (by video conference) to celebrate with their families, fellow classmates and staff with food from Fireside Restaurant. Following supper, other staff, family and special guests joined in on the school's Facebook live stream to watch the awards ceremony, held at Ste. Bernadette Catholic Church. The grads remained on ZOOM so they could be central to the action and continued to 'be present' for the ceremony that followed,” Grade 8 teacher Mark Frolick told ElliotLakeToday.  

“Father Tony Man-Son-Hing led everyone in prayer and offered a special blessing for the graduates. Diplomas were distributed, along with Catholic School Council spirit medals, various subject awards for academic achievement, and special school plaques that are traditionally given out every year.” 

Graduates listened to speeches by their principal, Andrew Chi and teacher Frolick, along with special video greetings from the director of education and chair of the Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board. Grads also viewed video greetings to all 2020 graduates from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Past school graduate, Wesley Langemann, addressed this year's class with motivational words of encouragement for years to come in high school, and offered congratulations for their accomplishments. And, of course, the graduates listened to the words of this year's co-valedictorians, Stephanie Corbin and Braidon Jordan, both chosen by their peers to represent the class of 2020.

2020 graduates include; Hailey Antoine, Lucas Bain, Rebecca-Lynn Barry, Stephanie Corbin, Akota Eshkibok, Chloe Goulet, Jaime Grier, Braidon Jordan, Jaydin Lafontaine, Andrew Massicotte, Brody Robinson, Evan Szieber-Daly, April Totten, Lennox Trudeau, Sydney Tynan-Byrd-Owen and Bailey Youngson.

Special school award winners:
    •    Academic Achievement Award (sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Council 4499) - Stephanie Corbin
    •    Most Improved Award (sponsored by former Principal Maria Young) - Braidon Jordan
    •    William Lozier Memorial Christian Attitude Award (sponsored by the Lozier Family) - Jaydin Lafontaine
    •    Gregory Clegg Memorial Diligence Award (presented for the first time this year) - Brody Robinson
    •    OECTA Leadership Award (sponsored by the Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association) - Sydney Tynan-Byrd-Owen
    •    Never Give Up Award (sponsored by former Teacher Emily Windle) - Hailey Antoine
    •    Religion Award (sponsored by the Paroisse Ste. Bernadette Parish Catholic Women's League) - Chloe Goulet
    •    FSL Graduating Scholarship Award (sponsored by Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School) - Brody Robinson
    •    NSL Graduating Scholarship Award (named in honour of Charlie Hunter and sponsored by the Ontario Indian Residential School Support Services) - Jaime Grier and Lennox Trudeau

Special deliveries of roses were dropped off earlier to each graduate's house to be presented to their parents and guardians for their love and support. Class composites and graduation portraits created by North Shore Advertising were gifted to each student by the school, along with lawn signs designed by Brad Parsons of Big Fish Graphics, who also designed lawn signs for graduates at Our Lady of Lourdes school that were hand delivered to homes after being displayed in front of the school along Hillside Drive North. Each graduate was also featured on the school's Facebook page in the days leading up to the ceremony on June 24.

“While we at the school knew that this year was going to be very different, we wanted to make sure our 2020 graduates had a chance to celebrate and mark this event in a special way,” said principal Andrew Chi.  

"Our Lady of Fatima Catholic school is very proud of all of our graduates for their dedication and hard work throughout this challenging year.  Each student has made a positive impact on our school community and their respective high schools are very lucky for the talents and amazing personalities they will be sharing. We wish them all the best of luck in their futures and know that Our Lady of Fatima Catholic school will always be home to them."​

"Congratulations to the Grade 8 Graduating Class of 2020,” Frolick said. “This certainly has been a most unusual school year for all of us! During these challenging and unprecedented times, you share the special recognition of being one of the graduating classes that made history. You made it by working together with strength and determination. On behalf of all the students, staff, families and volunteers of our school community, know that we are very proud of each of you, and all your accomplishments.”

In his speech to his classmates, Valedictorian Jordan said, “I had a great year at Fatima School. It’s too bad that it’s all ending, but that’s how life goes.  You have to move on, and that’s what I plan to do, and that’s what we are all doing tonight… celebrating our accomplishments and looking to the road ahead. I hope your final year of elementary school was as great and memorable as mine, and I wish everyone all the best for next year.”

A similar greeting was given by Valedictorian Corbin in her speech. “This school year of 2019-2020 has given us quite a challenge. We have gone from being together as a whole, learning in our classroom, to staying home and learning separately online, while social distancing, but that didn’t stop us. Even though we were unable to attend school, we stayed strong and confident doing our part, battling the virus through online learning.”



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About the Author: Kris Svela

Kris Svela has worked in community newspapers for the past 36 years covering politics, human interest, courts, municipal councils, and the wide range of other topics of community interest
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