Feature Article October 10, 2001
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Sharbot
Lake High School commencementby David
Brison
Commencement is a time for heartfelt advice to the recent graduates
from adults; stocktaking by the graduates themselves including a
public recounting of memories (only the positive ones are usually
shared); a time to celebrate the achievement of graduating, and those
who graduated with special distinction.
The adults were there in force with advice. Principal Tom Taylor said
that in a time of crisis it is good to focus on the good things that
happen everyday in our schools. Director Barry OConnor had five
points the last being, To keep a grip on your definition of
success. MPP Leona
Dombrowsky, who noted that it was 25 years since she graduated from
high school, (did you think she was older, younger, or about that
age?) had general words of encouragement.
There were 49 students receiving high school diplomas or certificates,
and 59 awards of merit in special fields or for general scholarship.
Louise Dignum, Della Scott, Christina Card, and Jason Monreal were
singled out by their peers and teachers for special consideration.
Della received the Governor Generals Academic Medal Award in
addition to several others, Christina Card the K.A. Alexander Trophy
for highest proficiency in the OAC year in addition to the writer
of the year award and several others (fitting for The News youth
reporter); and Jason had five awards for leadership and contribution
to the school.
What was most impressive about Louise Dignums awards was the
versatility they represented --
she had awards for general academic scholarship, such as the highest
average grades in six OAC subjects; and special distinction in
physical education, the arts (the Kingston Regional Arts Council
award), science (for having the highest overall average at the OAC
level in biology, chemistry, and physics), and special recognition of
leadership and contribution to the life of the school.
In all she received nine awards.
Trustee Ann Goodfellow told the graduates and their friends and
families that she personally had become very frightened about the
future in the days following the attacks on the Pentagon and the World
Trade Centres. She told
how she overcame this fear. By thinking about her young friends and
acquaintances, she has found that she is less frightened and more
secure about the future.
Louise Dignum, Valedictorian for the class, is a prime example of what
Ann was talking about. In
a very thoughtful and considered valedictorian address she reminisced
about her high school days and put these memories in a meaningful
context. She even managed
to have some good advice for her peers.
We
print her address in full on page
because we think it deserves to stand on its own not just
to be reported on.
