As with schools throughout Canada, Elliot Lake’s Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School (OLOF) celebrated this year's 27 graduates virtually with parents, guardians and staff. The graduation this year was held on June 23.
The event started with a pre-recorded virtual ceremony complete with recognition of student accomplishments, diplomas and awards, slideshows and memories of the past year.
“The introduction of this year's Valedictorian was given by Brooke Patrie, followed by the valedictory address by Matteo Di Genova. Graduates and families heard speeches by the HSCDSB (Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board) director of education, the Board of Trustees, Principal Andrew Chi and Grade 8 teacher Mark Frolick, along with greetings from school staff wishing our graduates well.
“The ceremony featured our Fatima School Song, an opening prayer and land acknowledgement, O Canada, a special blessing for graduates, and a thank you to parents, guardians and families for their ongoing support throughout elementary school,” said Frolick. “There was also a special presentation of individual Spirit Awards for each Gr. 8 student, highlighting their unique and personalized qualities and characteristics. The virtual ceremony was shared with families, friends and staff, and was also posted on the OLOF Facebook page and HSCDSB YouTube channel.”
Earlier in the day, each graduate was invited to the school during a scheduled time slot to personally receive their diploma, grad sweater and lawn sign, class picture, special graduation cupcake, and a few other special keepsakes for the evening ceremony. Graduates and families also had the chance to take pictures with staff, safely and according to public health guidelines.
"We were so happy to be able to truly celebrate each graduate’s accomplishments face to face. We wanted to make it special, in light of current restrictions, with music and fanfare, to allow graduates to have their ‘walk across the stage moment’ with both their Fatima School family (and their own families) cheering them on." said Frolick added.
Principal Andrew Chi expressed his gratitude to families for all their support and wished our graduates well.
"We are so proud of them all," said Chi.
Frolick expressed that it's been "quite a challenging year.”
“We especially want to acknowledge how hard students have worked and adjusted to change, and how far they have come with all the uncertainties along the way. They really rose to the occasion, and succeeded with hope, strength and determination during this rollercoaster of a year,” Frolick said. “Congratulations to our second graduating pandemic class in our school's history. Go Fatima Saints."
Special awards were presented to:
- Academic Achievement Award – Brooke Jordan and Megan Frolick
(with congratulations from the Knights of Columbus) - OECTA Leadership Award – Matteo Di Genova
(with congratulations from the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association) - Most Improved Award – Brayden McInnis
(with congratulations from former Principal Maria Young) - William Lozier Memorial Christian Attitude Award – Jennifer Fan
(with congratulations from the Lozier Family) - Gregory Clegg Memorial Diligence Award – Manon Rouillard
(with congratulations from the Clegg/Young Families) - Never Give Up Award – Natasha Gonzalez
(with congratulations from Emily Windle and the Di Genova Family)
Our Lady of Fatima graduating subject awards:
- Mathematics Award – Matteo Di Genova
- English Award – Megan Frolick
- Science Award – Brooke Jordan
- History Award – Manon Rouillard
- Geography Award – Jennifer Fan
- Religion Award – Megan Frolick and Matteo Di Genova
- Physical Education Award – Matteo Di Genova
- FSL Award – Jennifer Fan
- NSL Award – Madlynne Gagne
- Arts Award – Megan Frolick
- Computer Technology Award – Logan Robinson
- Online Learning Award – Brooke Jordan and Manon Rouillard
- Learning Skills Award – Brooke Patrie and Logan Robinson
With pandemic restrictions slowly being lifted, staff, students and family are confident the 2022 graduation will return to the same way graduations were held prior to the pandemic.