The COVID-19 pandemic has changed just about everything in our lives, not the least of which is the way we honour our graduating students.
At Elliot Lake Secondary School of the Algoma District School Board, Principal Rick Juuti has announced that sixty students have been honoured for earning their Ontario Secondary School Diplomas (OSSD) this year. Because of the virus, it all took place virtually, online.
57 of the students in Juuti's charge earned their Ontario Secondary School Diplomas. Three others earned their Specialist High Skills Major Ontario Secondary School Graduating Diplomas. (SHSM OSSD)
Here is the complete list of ELSS grads, Class of 2020.
OSSD:
ARMSTRONG, Nathan
BEEMER, Kimmy
BELANGER, Ella
BERUBE, Brianna
BLAIR, Brooke
BLAIR, Ewan
BRENTON, Logan
BUDGE, Nyah
CARON, Nick
COLE, Richard
CROMBIE, Alexis
DAWLEY-COLE, Aaron
DEFOE, Mikayla
FARQUHAR, Spencer
FINCH, Jasmine
FITZPATRICK, David
FRASER, Curtis
FREITAG, Aidan
FRY-MCLEAN, Brody
GAGNON, Megan
GAGNON, Shayna
GEORGE, Maddison
GLEASON, Talbert
HACHEY, Nathaniel
HALLOCH, Jack
HARNELL, Will
HARWOOD, Alexander
HEALY, Sydney
HONEYSETT, Paige
HOULE-TYMECZKO, Julian
JOHNSTON, Taylor
LAFONTAINE, Tyler
MARTIN, Katlyn
MATTHEWS, Meegwunn
MC FARLANE, Mason
MC PHERSON, Colin
MC RAE, Owen
MEEKS, Jacob
MOORE, Devon
PATRY, Kelsey
PICHETTE, Gemma
POWELL, Brady
PRESCOTT, Jack
RANGER, Callin
RAYMOND-DUNCAN, Austin
RONGITS, John
ROY-VANLAEKEN, Isabelle
SAMPSON, Megan
SAN CARTIER, Avery
SCHELL, Alex
SENESE, Daniela
SMITH, Ryan
SOUTHWIND-DAY, Jolie
TIMERISKI, Izabel
TRUDEAU, Sasha
VALLEY, Hayden
WELLS, Noah
SHSM OSSD:
BOYLE, Adam
BUDGELL, Liam
MC SHEFFERY, Kiara
"The Construction SHSM enables students to build a foundation of sector-focused knowledge and skills before graduating and entering apprenticeships training, college, university or an entry-level position in the workplace," Juuti explained.
"According to the Ontario Construction Secretariat, the Construction Industry is one of Ontario's largest employers. The Construction Sector Council has created a province-by-province, trade-by-trade labour market forecast for the next nine years.
"In Ontario, it is estimated that 60,000 workers will be required to replace those retiring who will take essential technical, supervisory and management skills with them."
Juuti concluded, "It is interesting that an additional 75,000 workers will also be needed to fill positions related to new construction between 2019 and 2022."