Sitting atop the stage with gleaming smiles, members of Hapnot Collegiate’s Class of 2014 were honoured for reaching the milestone of graduation.
Last Thursday evening, June 26, saw 48 graduates celebrate their achievement, saying goodbye to high school and hello to the world before them.
For the young men and women, the evening represented the culmination of 13 years of work, and with this being a smaller graduating class, it was evident just how close the students had become.
That’s something valedictorian Peter Ryan made mention of in an address delivered before hundreds of parents, friends, teachers and other guests at the Whitney Forum.
He told the audience that they were so close that even all the girls could get along in one room – an icebreaker that elicited laughter across the arena.
Guest speaker Chelsea Russell, a former Hapnot teacher, offered encouraging advice to the grads.
“Trust yourself and listen to your heart,” said Russell, herself a Hapnot graduate. “In the famous words of Dr. Seuss: ‘Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”
Russell urged the graduates not to let life’s inevitable failures define them.
“There will be failures, but that is okay,” she said from the podium. “Get up, brush yourself off, and try again. Failure gives you knowledge that you can successfully apply to the future.”
Success
Success certainly appears to be in the future of graduate Shannah Fisher, who received Hudbay’s W.A. Green Bursary worth $3,500 a year for up to four years.
Fisher completed the school year with an average of 98 per cent – also earning her honours for the highest marks and overall proficiency.
Fisher also earned a single entrance scholarship worth $40,000, among other scholarships.
Some parents beamed with pride while others dabbed away a tear or two as large paper balloons – in the Hapnot colours of red, black and white – hung overhead.
Awards
Governor General’s Bronze Medal (highest academic standing among graduates): Shannah Fisher
Sparling Trophy (student who contributes most to school life while maintaining good academic standing): Shannah Fisher
Cailie Rae Church Memorial Bursary (student entering Grade 9 band program): Myles Quick
Manitoba Métis Federation awards: Krista Beck, Austin Carriere, Hanna Hvidsten, Tieryn Steele
Scholarships
Hudbay W.A. Green Bursary ($3,500 a year for up to four years): Shannah Fisher
Dorothy Jean Liss Scholarship ($1,200): Shannah Fisher
Cailie Rae Church Memorial Music and Theatre Bursary ($1,000): Kellie Beck
Harry Yee Memorial Bursary ($1,000): Krista Beck
Harry Yee Memorial Bursary ($1,000): Hanna Hvidsten
Neil McLennan Memorial Bursary ($1,000): Sydney Schiltroth
Flin Flon School Division Scholarship ($1,000): Andrew Schwartz
Flin Flon Fire Department Dustin Thompson Memorial Bursary ($1,000): Nick Andres
Ruth Betts Memorial Bursary ($1,000 and plaque): Tieryn Steele
RM and Ellen McIsaac Memorial Bursary ($1,000): Cristina Hogarth
Steve Ewing Memorial Bursary ($1,000): Kyle Reierson
Rotary Red Nose Scholarship ($1,000): Rebecca Jackson
Victor Hook Memorial Bursary ($1,000 and plaque): Chase Pabianek
Herb Simms Endowment Fund Bursary ($1,000 each): Joel Galbraith, Janelle Wride and Olivia Dayman
Steelworkers Local 7106 Bob Imrie Memorial Bursary ($750): Tieryn Steele
Knights of Columbus No. 2746 Bursary ($750): Luke Blouin
North of 53 Consumer Co-op Bursary ($750): Jordy Ayling
Shane Pearson Memorial Bursary ($750 each): Peter Ryan and Taylor Purvis
Safe Grad Committee Bursary ($600): Taylor Davidson
Tri-Service Bursary ($600): Nicole Storey
Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 73 Bursary ($500 each): Kellie Beck, Chase Pabianek
Trey Wheeler Memorial Bursary ($500): Sydney Schiltroth
Legion Ladies Auxiliary No. 73 Bursary ($500 each): Blake Wallaker, Shannah Fisher
International Associational of Machinists and Aerospace Workers 1848 Bursary ($500 each): Brett Muench, Nicole Storey, Sydney Schiltroth, Dustin Hartery
Hon. F.L. (Bud) Jobin Memorial Bursary ($500): Shannah Fisher
North Star Rebekah Lodge Bursary ($500): Caitlin Bradt
Alexander’s Auto Ranch Bursary ($500 each): Derek Novosel
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 1405 Bursary ($500): Rebecca Jackson
Joe Brain Memorial Bursary ($500): Lance Hartl
Operating Engineers Local 828 Bursary ($500): Danielle McDonald
Class of 2014 Bursary ($500): Hanna Hvidsten
Flin Flon Arts Council Bursary ($500): Cristina Hogarth
Flin Flon Health Auxiliary Betty Johnson Memorial Bursary ($500): Krista Beck
Rotary and Elks George VI Memorial Bursary ($500): Taylor Purvis
Dorion Simon Memorial Bursary ($400): Luke Blouin
Dustin Thompson Memorial Bursary ($400): Zach Reykdal
Friendship Centre Art Wahlenberg Memorial Bursary ($350): Krista Beck
Flin Flon Motorcyclists Association Bursary ($350): Hanna Hvidsten
United Steelworkers Local Union 7975 Bursary ($350): Lance Hartl
Inner Wheel Citizenship Scholarship ($300): Janelle Wride
Dorothy K. Ash Memorial Award ($200): Shannah Fisher
