June 18, 2013

H I G H L A N D S E C O N D A R Y • G E O R G E S P. V A N I E R • M A R K R . I S F E L D • G AT E W AY A C A D E M Y

2013

Graduation PRESENTING OUR 2013 VALEDICTORIANS

Carly Holmes, Highland

Michael Stubbs, Highland

Kassandra Sewell, Vanier

Scott Theriault, Vanier

Marisa Benisky, Isfeld

Brook Henry, Isfeld

A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO THE COMOX VALLEY RECORD

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TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 2013 • COMOX VALLEY RECORD

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I G H L A N D

P rincipal’s Message

Congratulations to the Highland graduating class of 2013! On behalf of all the staff, we wish you the very best for a bright and happy future.

We’ve enjoyed growing with you during your time at Highland. You were the first class to start Grade 8 here and after five years we’ve come to know you well. We hope you take with you the sense of community we have tried to instil within you, the resiliency you will need when you face your challenges, as well as a wonder for the beauty the world has to offer you.

During your graduation year, we’ve noticed how hard many of you have worked on your grad legacy: Projects to Inspire. You made a difference that will be remembered in the community, at the school and with your peers and we are proud of you.

You have left your mark and we won’t forget you. All of us look forward to your successful futures, but know you still have challenges ahead.

DR. ANDREAS

CONRADI

CERTIFIED ORAL MAXILLOFACIAL SURGEON Suite 303-1819 Beaufort Ave., Comox 250.890.0055

“Committed To Caring For Your Health”

Remember that whatever you do, you don’t do it alone.

Your accomplishments will come from your hard work and the support of your friends, colleagues, family and loved ones.

Take a moment, on this important occasion in your life, to recognize those who have helped you along the way and cherish these relationships for the future. Your chance to make a difference in the world is just beginning.

We know you can do it!

Lyneita Swanson Principal Highland Secondary School

Congratulations TO OUR

2013 GRADS ISABELLA CONRADI

INANNA SOKIL

HIGHLAND SECONDARY

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COMOX VALLEY RECORD • TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 2013

ALEDICTORIANS

Carly Holmes

Carly Holmes loves art.

Highland Secondary School’s female valedictorian was recently accepted into the Emily Carr University Bachelor of Fine Arts program offered via North Island College.

Holmes notes art is her favourite class at Highland, and she enjoys painting people’s portraits using acrylic paint.

“We got to do a series (in art class) and I picked elements, and I’m doing portraits of people and trying to capture everyone’s inner element,” says Holmes. “It’s fun — it’s really fun.”

She’s eager to develop her skills in other mediums and styles as well, including drawing and 3-D art.

English class is Holmes’ other main interest area in school, and specifically, she enjoys essay writing.

“Those are the (classes) that I really love,” says Holmes.

“But apart from that I like all the classes because…I really like being with people and talking to everyone.”

Outside of school, Holmes is involved in various youth

groups, and attends numerous activities throughout the week.

She’s part of the Comox Valley Youth for Christ group, and through her church, the Courtenay Fellowship Baptist Church, she’s involved in the Oasis Youth Group.

She attends church on Sundays, as well as Sunday school, and following that, she leads a bible study for younger kids.

She’s also part of a running group, enjoys painting outside of school and her and a friend spend time crocheting things like hats and sweaters for other friends.

Holmes says there are all sorts of different people in Highland’s 2013 grad class, and the class is accepting of one another.

“I think the biggest thing with our grad class is just how everyone’s really accepting of each other. We’ve got our different groups and everything but we’re all pretty at ease with each other,” she says.

“Everyone’s just kind of doing their own thing and it’s really nice.”

Michael Stubbs Highland Secondary School’s male valedictorian plans to go after a career in graphic design.

Michael Stubbs is certainly headed in the right direction for this career choice. He created posters for various events around the school, and he created Highland’s new school crest — which is an H with the school’s houses holding hands around it.

Though he says he may take some time off school before heading to post-secondary education, he plans build up his artistic talents at the University of Victoria within the next year or two.

“I wanted to go to UVic because it is a liberal arts school so I can take all the maths and physics still as electives,” he says, noting he enjoys math and physics because it feels satisfying to figure out the formulas, like solving a puzzle.

He also enjoys drawing and painting, and he wants to merge his love of graphic design, these other mediums and math.

“It’s kind of the combination of the two, like being able to synthesize painting and (Adobe) PhotoShop or like drawing and colouring and PhotoShop that is really the coolest,” says Stubbs. “I want to explore that math and art, and computer and traditional media connection.”

Stubbs also used independent study time to do leadership initiatives at Highland in an effort to unite the school and improve its culture. He organized, and played the role of MC for all the school assemblies this year — and of course, he made posters for each one.

He went to the global finals for Destination Imagination this year in Tennessee. His team was called the Moderate Party and his teammates were in Grade 10.

“A lot of it to me was just a learning experience, like being a mentor there for their learning experience so they can do better in future years,” Stubbs says of the team, noting he helps other people out, not for the sake of helping, but because he likes making people happy.

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HIGHLAND SECONDARY

TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 2013 • COMOX VALLEY RECORD

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CHANCE BAINARD

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MOLLY BARR

GABRIEL BEAR

DALLEN BELANGER

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JORDAN DUNCAN

ALEXANDRA EDGAR

ALEXANDRA ELLIOTT

MITCHELL ELLIS

THOMAS ELLIS

THOMAS FARRELL

GEORGINA FOSTER

TAYLOR FRAWLEY

NICOLE FRISSON

MARSHAL GILES

SCOTT GOEBEL

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ADAM GREEN

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BRETT GUDBRANSON

JESSI GUYNUP

MANDYMAE HACKERT

KARISSA HAMBLEY

ABBY HARTMAN

AUSTIN HARVEY

Congratulations to Our 2013 Grads

Comox Valley

Look out world, here you come!

Sloan Hansen Isfeld

Aleesha Hutmacher Isfeld

Taylor Frawley Highland

Georgia Courtney Highland

HIGHLAND SECONDARY

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COMOX VALLEY RECORD • TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 2013

BRANDON RACINE

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CONGRATULATIONS FROM ALL OF US!

Perseverence

Believe in yourself ~ you can do it!

VANIER GRAD

Thanks Laura!

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EMILY CADIEUX

#7 2225 Guthrie Rd, Comox • 250-339-4563

JEMMA HICKEN

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BRIANNA HINKE

JACOB HOLDING

CARLY HOLMES

OLIVIA HUARD

AARON HUNTER

RYAN JELLIE

JAKOB JENSEN

JI-YUN JEONG

JAMES JERCZYNSKI

KYLE JOHNSON

NAKUL JOSEPH

MIN HEE KANG

NICOLE KARDOS

HE YEON KIM

AMY KING

TAYLOR KOBYLNYK

TREVOR KRINBILL

JONATHAN KRUGEL

YU HIN LAU

DARALYN LEACH

ROANNE LEMIRE

CHIA-HAO LI

BREANNA LUTZER

MADISON MAILHIOT

TYLOR MARKS

NICHOLAS MATOUS

ELIZABETH MAYBURY

RODERICK MCDONALD

JOHN MCKINNON

QUAYD MCLELLAN

KIRA MCLEOD

DAREION MCPHERSON-ZARUK

SHERIDAN MECKERT

PAIGE MONTGOMERY

RANDELL MOQUIN

EVIE MORIN

JESSE MUNROE

SAMUEL NESBIT

WILLIAM NEWTON

KAI YIP NG

ALYSSA-LYNN O’BLENIS

HEATHER ORR

DANIEL OVIATT

MICHAEL PALMER-JONES

COLTON PANKHURST

HUGH PARK

LIAM PARKER

BRODY PEACOCK

Congratulations to Our 2013 Grads

Comox Valley Sarah Stinson Vanier

Lydia Temple Vanier

Raeanne Munro Vanier

Anita Topolko Vanier

Taylor Jarvis Vanier

HIGHLAND SECONDARY

TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 2013 • COMOX VALLEY RECORD

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Congratulations Grads

TOWN OF COMOX

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of Highland Secondary, Mark R. Isfeld Secondary and Georges P. Vanier Secondary.

On behalf of Council and the citizens of the Town of Comox, we extend our very best wishes to all the grads in the Comox Valley.

Paul Ives MAYOR, TOWN OF COMOX

Congratulations & very best wishes to

OUR Grads!

FROM ALL THE STAFF AND RESIDENTS AT BER WICK

BERWICK COMOX VALLEY Mikayla Mulgrew

Johanna Weber

Mark R. Isfeld

Mark R. Isfeld

JILLIAN PEACOCK

VERONICA PLIHAL

AYDRIAN POLLARD

DYLAN REIMER

MIRANDA SIMPSON

GRAHAM SNOW

TANNER SOPP

PAUL STAINSBY

STEPHANIE WATSON

RHEA WHITEHEAD

Matt Vrabel

Jacob Coats

Mark R. Isfeld

Highland Secondary

MYCHAELA ROELANTS VAN BARONAIGIEN KATHLEEN RUSHTON

CATRINA STEINHAUER-WEBB

TAYLOR WHITEWAY

SHAUNA STEWART

SHYLA WILLIAMS

Sheridan Meckert Highland Secondary

250-339-1690

1700 Comox Avenue, Comox, BC

www.berwickrc.com

NATSUKI SARAYAMA

JORDAN SERAFINI

CODY SHARRON

CALEB SHORT

GALA STEWART

ARDEN STORIE

REX SUN

NICHOLAS TURNHAM

KAYLEE WOOD

ALEXANDER WOZNOW

HOBIN ZINCK

BEST WISHES to our

2013 GRADS!

SHYLA WILLIAMS HIGHLAND

COLTON PANKHURST HIGHLAND

KYLE JOHNSON HIGHLAND

JAMES JERCZYNSKI HIGHLAND

ARIANA DIETRICH MARK R. ISFELD

RASHEEDAH WHITE MARK R. ISFELD

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COMOX VALLEY RECORD • TUesday, June 18, 2013

Congratulations to OUR 2013 Grads!

ADAM PETERSON VANIER

PHILLIP BOISSEAU ISFELD

TINO LY VANIER

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JADE HEAVENER VANIER

JAIDEN HOFMAN ISFELD

TOAN TRAN

VIVIAN NGUYEN VANIER

TAYLOR BREUKERS

ISFELD

AINSLEY SHEA

CODY BROWN

KAITLIN NICKERSON

ISEFELD

LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED

BY JOHN McINNES AND STAFF

ISFELD

ISFELD

ISFELD

IZZY LORD VANIER

TEARA ARMSTRONG VANIER

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TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 2013 • COMOX VALLEY RECORD

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EORGES

P. V A N I E R

Principal’s Message

It has been my privilege to serve as the principal to Vanier’s graduating class of 2013. As their principal for the past four years I have witnessed their journey of educational success and growing maturity. It has truly been a pleasure to see their growth.

This year’s grad theme, “We are young tonight,” tells me the kids are excited about graduating but wish to hold onto their youth for at least one last night before entering the “adult” world.

Vanier has an excellent reputation for its strong programs and long-standing traditions. Our newest this year was the X block each Friday. I was pleased to see how many grad students took advantage of the time to complete assignments and to seek assistance from staff to better their grades.

Our year has experienced excellent achievements in the areas of academics in school and provincial exams; the performing arts has impressed audiences throughout the province and the States; many athletic teams placed well in their divisions and many did well provincially; technology continues to grow and our students won medals in the trades during the Skills Canada competitions; examples of quality student leadership has been

Congrats to all the Grads from the staff at

Gqouer Conthe ! d l r o w

Marisa Benisky MARK R. ISEFLD

Bethany Jane G. P. VANIER

witnessed throughout the year through the various clubs and class projects.

This year’s grad theme song, “We are Young,” simple in lyrics, points to setting high expectations: “We can burn brighter than the sun.” It also promotes the idea of supporting each other in times of need, “I’ll carry you home.”

The staff of Vanier believes in each and every one of our grads and feels they are well prepared to be successful in the tasks and journeys that lie ahead in their future.

On behalf of the school administration, teaching staff and support staff of G.P. Vanier, I’d like to congratulate all the students of this graduating class. I trust the staff of Vanier have prepared you well for the many adventures in life you are about to take on. Good Luck!

Charlie Schellinck

Principal, Georges P. Vanier Secondary School

Emma Rigsby G. P. VANIER

Dayton Turchenek MARK R. ISEFLD

Cedar Rumsey MARK R. ISEFLD

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GEORGES P. VANIER SECONDARY

COMOX VALLEY RECORD • TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 2013

ALEDICTORIANS

Kassandra Sewell

To say Georges P. Vanier Secondary School’s female valedictorian likes sports is a bit of an understatement.

“I was captain of the field hockey team, and the co-captain of the senior girls basketball team and I played rugby,” says Kassandra Sewell.

“I just like being part of a team,” she continues, noting she meets many new friends through sports. “They’re just good people and it’s fun and it’s a good way to be involved.”

Sewell also coaches Grade 6 and 7 students in basketball.

Though she enjoys chemistry, math and English, she’s really interested in biology, and was involved in Vanier’s environment club.

“We’ve done stream cleanups, we did the Earth Day here, and we’ve done some fundraisers,” she says of school’s environment club. “I’m interested in the environment. I guess that would be the science I’m more interested in, biology — the way the planet works and everything, and how it all relates to one another.”

Sewell has been accepted to Quest University, which is in Squamish and is very outdoor activity oriented. She plans to take a year off to work, possibly in Alberta, so she can save money to start her first year of studies in September 2014.

“In my four years there I’ll be getting my Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science so I can get two degrees,” she says, noting the school is completely different from other universities.

Class sizes are 20 students large at maximum, and students take only one condensed course at a time.

“And then I’d love to go to Dalhousie School of Law at some point,” she continues, noting she would like to learn about environmental law.

Sewell will remember her time the school’s Explore program for Grade 11 students, and her senior year of basketball the most.

“I just came out of (Explore and basketball) meeting a lot of new people that I think made me a better person,” she says.

Scott Theriault Georges P. Vanier Secondary School’s male valedictorian describes himself as a guy who’s “into pretty much everything.”

Scott Theriault likes sciences, math, robotics, music, acting and sports, and he’s used his time in secondary school to experience all of them.

“I’m happy that I’ve gotten involved in so many different things in school,” says Theriault. “I feel like I’ve experienced a little bit of everything from the school and it’s definitely helped me…become a more rounded person in a way, because I’ve learned different skills from different aspects of life.”

Theriault has been in band programs at school since Grade 7. He now plays the baritone saxophone, and when he started on the smaller alto saxophone in Grade 7, he says it was bigger than him.

He plays with the jazz band, concert band, the wind ensemble and the R&B band.

Theriault decided to join the school improv team this year, and the group went to Ottawa for the Canadian Improv Games.

“That was exciting,” he recalls. “I really connect with the people in it and improv has become one of the things I really love to do now.”

He also plays volleyball and basketball at Vanier, and was manager of the senior boys basketball team last year.

Meanwhile, Theriault is keenly interested in robotics.

He and his friend Jaron Piercy qualified for the VEX Robotics World Championship in 2011, and went Florida to compete.

“We definitely learned a lot from that experience so I think we’ve grown, not just in skills with robotics, but also as people, because of that experience,” he says.

Theriault will head off to the University of Victoria in September for first-year studies in engineering.

He’s interested in a career as an astrophysical engineer but he’s also interested in chemistry and will see which direction he wants to take after his first year of schooling.

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TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 2013 • COMOX VALLEY RECORD

Good Luck in your future career.

GEORGES P. VANIER SECONDARY

www.comoxvalleyrecord.com

Congratulations to the Graduates of 2013.

Best Wishes

Don McRae, MLA Comox Valley

from the staff at

Constituency Office: 437 5th St., Courtenay BC V9N 1J7 Phone: (250) 703-2422 Fax: (250) 703-2425 Monday to Friday, 9AM - 4PM

CODY JOHNSON VANIER

Email: don.mcrae.mla@leg.bc.ca | www.donmcraemla.bc.ca

FRANKIE ADAMS

JORDON ALLEN

COURTNEY ANDREWS

TEARA ARMSTRONG

JESSICA ASTURI

MARKETTA AUSTIN

WYNONA BALAAM-HESS

MARINA BALL

MATHEW BANNER

KATELYNN BAREFOOT

MARIAH BARTH

ADREA BARTLETT

AUSTIN BASSETT

KELVIN BEECH

MICHELLE BERGER

JOCELYN BERNS

BRANDON BIRD

DAVID BLACKBURN

MICHELLE BOHAM

BREANNA BOMBACK

AIDAN BRADFIELD

CHEA BRASSEUR

EMILY BRYANT

THOMAS BULLARD-SMITH

KATELYN BUTLER

AARON CAMBREY

RUBY CHAN

EUNBIN CHO

ZAK CHRISTIANSEN

MIKAYLA CHRISTIANSON

SIQUOYA CLARK

STEPHANIE CLEMENTS

TYLER COBURN

ASHLYNNE COCHLAN

APRIL COCKERILL

ANTHONY COMEAULT

ISABELLA CONRADI

LISA COX

CODY CUNNINGHAM

CODY CYR

MORGAN DAVIS

MAYA DE VOS

SAMANTHA DEAN

EVERETT DECOCK

TRUE DENNISON

SOLARIS DEY

LEVI DICASTRI

TENEA DILLMAN

SAMANTHA DIMERY

KRIS DING

Wishing our Grads the Best!

MICAH MESSENT

BRANDON TOONE

SCOTT STEVENS

KELVIN BEECH

MARIANNA SIPIONE

From the staff and management!

GEORGES P. VANIER SECONDARY

www.comoxvalleyrecord.com

COMOX VALLEY RECORD • TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 2013

Congratulations

Daelyn Anderton-Cahoon Mark R. Isfeld

to our

Unit 2-145-19th Street, Courtenay, BC

2013 Grad

For a free consulation call 250-871-1121 or email us at daybreeze@shaw.ca

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BREANNA DOYLE

TESSA DURRANCE

GRAHAM DYER

TEASHA DYER

BRITTANY EMBREE

MARTIN ERIKSSON

CARSON EVANS

CICILY EVANS

DEAN FAAK

ALLAN FAIRHURST

LUCAS FALCONER

MADDISEN FARRELL

AMBERLEY FERGUSON

MACKENZIE FERNS

RANDI FINLAYSON

JESSICA FITZGERALD

CODY FLETCHER

NICOLE FOLSTER

DREW FORBES

TYSON FOSTER

TIANNA FRANKLIN

ERICH FRANKS

JENSEN FRANKS

GABRIEL FROST-MITCHELL

JAYCIE FRY

ALIYAH FUGLE-SMALL

MICHELLE GAMBACORTA

DECLAN GARROOD

BRYNN GAWLEY

CIERRAH GIBBS

DAVID GIESBRECHT

KAELA GIOMO

NIKOLAS GLENNIE

DAKOTA GORMLEY

KOLBY GRAHAM

ROBERTO GRANADOS

TYLER GRANT

VANESSA GRAVES

MIKAYLA GREEN

JAYDEN GRIEVE

ERIK GWYNNE

ZACHARY GYORFFY

NATHAN HAMILTON

SALLY HANG

JOE HARPER

ALANNA HARRIS

DESTANEE HARRISON

JADE HEAVENER

ASHLEY HENDERSON

JORDAN HENDRY

Congrats from the staff and management!

CONGRATS TO OUR GRADS

JORDAN McDERMID

GLENN CHRISTENSEN

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TUesday, June 18, 2013 • COMOX VALLEY RECORD

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Congratulations 2013 Graduates!

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Dr. Paul J. Helpard Inc.

Certified Specialist in Orthodontics

COMOX VALLEY RECORD • TUesday, June 18, 2013

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TUesday, June 18, 2013 • COMOX VALLEY RECORD

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www.comoxvalleyrecord.com

Congratulations 2013 Graduates!

Here are a few of the smiles we have created together.

A Smile is Forever...

Dr. Paul J. Helpard Inc.

Certified Specialist in Orthodontics

COMOX VALLEY RECORD • TUesday, June 18, 2013

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TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 2013 • COMOX VALLEY RECORD

GEORGES P. VANIER SECONDARY

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Congratulations Maxime, GEORGES P. VANIER GRADUATE

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GRIFFIN LINDQUIST

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DEVIN LYNCH

KELSEY MACCUSPIC

COURTENAY HIGH SCHOOL

Class of ’63 (50th Reunion Committee)

SENDS BEST WISHES & CONGRATULATIONS TO COMOX VALLEY GRADUATES OF 2013

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from our family to you and yours!

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GEORGES P. VANIER SECONDARY

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COMOX VALLEY RECORD • TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 2013

Congratulations Austin!

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“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”.

Nelson Mandela

MARK R. ISFELD GRADUATE

Website: www.CourtenayToyota.com Mobile website: m.CourtenayToyota.com 445 Crown Isle Blvd. • Call 250-338-6761

AYRIENNA MACGREGOR

JANESSA MACINTYRE

RICHARD MAJOR

YAASEEN MALL

OLIVIA MANDIN

MARK MARALDO

BRITAINI-LYNNE MASLIN

REEVE MATHERS-CYR

KRISTEN MAWLE

ALEXANDRIA MCCAULEY

ALIX MCCUBBIN

JORDAN MCDERMID

DANIAL MCGUIRE

KELSI MCINTOSH

TRAVIS MCKEE

CAITLIN MCKENZIE

LISA-BETH MCLEAN

MADISON MCRAE

ERIC MCWILLIS

MICAH MESSENT

CHELSEA MILLAR

RAVEN MILLS

KEENAN MISKENACK

NICK MITCHELL

WILLIAM MOFFAT

SIENNA MOIR

PAIGE MOODY

AMY MORRO

JADE MOSS

RAEANNE MUNRO

ALISHA MURRAY

JADE MYERS

DAVID NAKASHIMA

GRAEME NEEDHAM

TORI NEWSOM

SANDRA NGO

ALEXIS NGUYEN

VIVIAN NGUYEN

SARAH NICOL

PATRICK NIXON

Congratulations to the Grads of 2013 from everyone at Searle’s

Congratulations to the Graduating Class of 2013

Downtown Courtenay • 250-334-4523

May your dreams and wishes come true!

A special thanks to our International Students that help us grow.

“Searle’s for that hard to fit foot”

“Serving the Comox Valley for over 80 Years”

ya w

Open Monday to Saturday 9:30 - 5:30 pm Fridays till 9:00 pm www.searlesshoes.com

250 Fifth Street Courtenay

250-334-3178

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GEORGES P. VANIER SECONDARY

TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 2013 • COMOX VALLEY RECORD

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The Future Looks Sweet!

Congratulations

D O W N TOWN C OURTE NAY ~ OPE N 7 DAYS A W E E K

TYLER ODLAND

JOEY OSADUIK

DONALD OTTOSEN

BRAYDEN PAISLEY

COLE PATTERSON

HAVEN PATTERSON

MICHAEL PATTERSON

THOMAS PEDERSON

ADAM PETERSON

SON PHAM

JARON PIERCY

MAYA POZZOLO

HANNAH PUNGENTE

BRANDON RACINE

SOPHIA RAE

AVERY RANKIN

ARIANNA RAPIN

NICOLE REDEKOPP

LEAH RENNIE

EMMA RIGSBY

OLIVIA ROCKWELL

KATIE RODGERS

ZACKARY ROGERS

MIKE ROLLER

CHARLOTTE ROSS

SAMANTHA RUMNEY

ALICIA SAUNDERS

KRYSTEN SCARSBROOK

MAXIME SCHROEDER

JEFFREY SCHULTZ

KASSANDRA SEWELL

EMERALD SHERMAN

DEVON SIGURDSON

AARON SLOBODIN

MICHAEL SLOTA

TRISTAN SMITH-KLOOSTER

VICTORIA SMITH-SURU

ALEXANDER SNADEN

INANNA SOKIL

COLE SOMERVILLE

RYAN SOMMEN

ELSA SPANGENBERG

KIMBERLY STEACY

JOHNNY STEVENS

SCOTT STEVENS

SARAH STINSON

TAMARA STOTTS

MICHAELA STRAIN

PETER STUBBS

ALYSSA STUPENDICK

Congratulations to the Graduating Class of 2013

Tatyanna Kurucz

Steffany Ford

Arden Storie

Samuel Nesbit

Matthew Sadler

250.331.4365 or 250.331.1183 4646 Headquarters Road, Courtenay casalomaseniorsvillage.com

A Retirement Concepts Community

GEORGES P. VANIER SECONDARY

www.comoxvalleyrecord.com

COMOX VALLEY RECORD • TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 2013

17

EISEI SUGIMOTO

SYDNEY SUPER

SAM SURGENOR

GREGORY TALBOT

TAMARA TASCHE

REID TAYLOR

SCOTT THERIAULT

JOSHUA THOMAS

KATHERINE THOMAS

JILLIAN THOMPSON

BEN THORNTON

ANITA TOPOLKO

NATHAN TOUGH

MEREDITH TOWNSEND

IDA TSE

JOSHUA TUCKER

RYAN TUKA

YIP VAN MUIJLWIJK

STEFANIE VANDERHORST

EMALEE VANDERMALE

GRYPHON VESTER

MARIE VITAL

ASHLEIGH von KAMPEN

EMILY VOSSLER

LIAM WALKER

BRENNAN WALSTROM

CHELSEA WATKINS

JANNA WATSON

TRAVIS WEBBER

KAYLI WEINSTEIN

SAFRON WELLS

AUSTIN WHITE

MEREDITH WICKLUND

MILLIE WILKINSON

MIKHAYLA WILLIAMS

BRETT WILSON

KARL WILSON

TYSON WILSON

DAVID WONG

DAKOTA WORKMAN

XUAN REX WU

SEBASTIAN YAKIBCHUK

Please Don’t Drink & Drive!

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TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 2013 • COMOX VALLEY RECORD

www.comoxvalleyrecord.com

ARK

R. ISFELD

Principal’s Message

On behalf of all staff of Mark R. Isfeld Secondary School, I would like to congratulate each member of the class of 2013. This group of students has risen to the challenge of maintaining Isfeld’s high standard in academics, athletics, citizenship and the arts.

They came together early in the year to put on a spectacular fashion show and continued to gel with the many grad activities that followed, including the penultimate event, Relay for Life. Soon they will walk the same stage, leaving behind them a student population who has greatly benefited from their example.

At graduation, it is fashionable to invoke trite phrases about entering the adult world or beginning a new journey.

I like to think of our grads as bringing who they are right now into a world that needs what they bring. In many respects, this grad class showed a committed and caring maturity that suggests their transition into adulthood cannot be defined by an event.

I have been impressed by their ability to juggle so many competing demands and still excel while accomplishing all

of them. This can be seen in their academic achievement, (more than half the grad class is on an honour roll), their athletics, (three teams made it to provincials), and the innumerable hours they have dedicated to support school and community causes.

If the status of adulthood is yet to be bestowed on these highly motivated young people, they are ready to take on the role.

Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to this grad class for their many contributions as leaders in our school community. We thank you and your families for the time we have spent together.

Jeff Taylor Principal, Mark R. Isfeld Secondary School

Congratulations & Best Wishes for Success in the Future!

Michaela Strain

Randi Finlayson

Tamara Tasche

Rae Anne Munro

Braydon Cochrane

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MARK R. ISFELD SECONDARY

www.comoxvalleyrecord.com

V

COMOX VALLEY RECORD • TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 2013

ALEDICTORIANS

Marisa Benisky

From competitive skiing to classical piano, Mark R. Isfeld Secondary School’s female valedictorian has plenty of interests, in and out of school.

Marisa Benisky plays valve trombone in concert band and jazz band at Isfeld, and she used to play in the Strathcona Symphony Orchestra. She has also taken classical piano lessons outside of school since Grade 7.

“My favourite composer is probably Mozart,” says Benisky.

“He’s such an amazing composer and it’s just unbelievable that he could write at such a young age, and that his music is so vast.”

Benisky also loves sports, and she plays on Isfeld’s field hockey team, as well as a league team called the Comox Valley Eagles. She has been on the girls soccer team at Isfeld since Grade 8.

Benisky also spends plenty of time on the slopes of Mount Washington. She skied competitively with the Mount Washington Freestyle Club, and competed in the B.C. Winter Games a couple of years ago, earning a silver medal in slopestyle. Though she no longer skis competitively, she

now coaches kids aged seven to 12 on weekends.

Her favourite classes in school are biology and English — though she is fluent in French as she has been a French immersion student since she entered school at Robb Road Elementary.

Benisky has been accepted into North Island College’s University of Victoria dual admission program and will start her first-year science-centred studies in September.

She may go on to UVic to do a major in biology with a minor in music or writing, or, she may work towards a degree in nursing.

First, she will head off to Europe male valedictorian Brook Henry for a five-week backpacking trip. The two have been friends since they met in kindergarten at Robb Road Elementary School, and Benisky says she’s looking forward to the trip.

“I’m looking forward to seeing all the history monuments that we’ve learnt about in school, and getting lost and not knowing what to do and having to really be independent,” says Benisky.

Brook Henry Science, math, sports and music are some of Mark R. Isfeld’s male valedictorian Brook Henry’s interest areas.

Henry played on the school’s soccer, volleyball and football teams, as well as playing hockey outside of school.

The team spirit developed in these sports is part of what attracted Henry to them.

“Everybody can have a good time and just the team aspect, everybody working together,” he says of why he likes these sports. “And I like high-adrenaline situations — it’s fun.”

Henry plays drums in the school jazz band, enjoys creative writing and performed this year in the school’s play, Blood, Lust and Rhetoric: Four Shakespearean Tragedies and an Encore.

Henry also contributed to the school’s weekly television show, Mark Isfeld Television.

“My segment is Girl Gossip and Pop Culture,” Henry says with laugh, noting the entire show is designed to be funny.

“I talk about stuff that’s happening in the pop culture world, like popular boy bands and fashion, just like, funny, girly stuff.”

Henry also has a serious side, and in September, he

will head off to Victoria to take his first year of engineering at the University of Victoria.

Though he’s not sure which type of engineering he will specialize in, he’s interested in civil engineering and software engineering, which he notes are very different.

Before he starts his university studies, Henry and Isfeld’s female valedictorian Marisa Benisky will backpack around Europe. The two have been friends since they were in kindergarten together at Robb Road Elementary School and both are French immersion students at Isfeld.

“We’re just going to go to as many places as we can,” says Henry of the five-week trip.

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MARK R. ISFELD SECONDARY

TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 2013 • COMOX VALLEY RECORD

www.comoxvalleyrecord.com

HEJIRA ACHESON MACNEIL

DAELYN ANDERTON-CAHOON

THOMAS ANDREW

MAIRI ARTHURS

JAMES ASHCROFT

EMMA BALNEAVES

ARIEL BECHERER

MARISA BENISKY

WILLIAM BENNETT

BRENDAN BENNEWITH

SAMUEL BERNARD

HAYLEY BEZANSON

KERR BILSLAND

PHILLIP BOISSEAU

JOEL BOOD

ANDY BORAY

MATTHEW BOWEN

MILO BOWMAN

TAYLOR BREUKERS

CODY BROWN

LENARD BROWN

EZRA BUKACH

JAMES CAREW

CHRIS CARLOS

DANIEL CARLSON

EMMA CARR

KELLY CHEN-MCDONAGH

KYLA CORDICK

BRIONY CREBA

KALIN CREBA

TARRIN DAVIES

MICHAEL DEMONE

AUSTIN DEWITT

ARIANA DIETRICH

KENTON DUNCAN

JULIA EILERTS

DEVON FAIRWEATHER

KYLE FARQUHARSON

BRIANNA FAUCHER

JOSHUA FITZPATRICK

STEFFANY FORD

MELISSA FREEMAN

KAYLA GAIGA

BRADIE GAILLOUX

MADELINE GALLARD

EMILY GLOWACH

GEMMA GOLETSKI

ZACHARY GORDON

JORIE GOUGH

RODERICK GRAVOUEILLE

JESSE GRENIER

JUSTIN GUO

ERIN HALLIER

GARRETT HALLS

SLOAN HANSEN

KENZIE HANSON

DAVID HARMSWORTTH

JAKE HARRIS

KYLE HEDICAN

MAX HEMMERICH

Management & Staff wish the Comox Valley Graduating Classes of 2013

a bright & prosperous future.

smiles every day.

MARK R. ISFELD SECONDARY

www.comoxvalleyrecord.com

COMOX VALLEY RECORD • TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 2013

21

Congratulations FROM ALL OF US!

Congratulations!

MEGAN LAWRENCE

Ashlynne Cochlan

Georges P Vanier Secondary

Proud producer of fresh, heart-healthy salmon.

mainstreamcanada.ca

BROOK HENRY

ALICIA HIGGINS

JAIDEN HOFMAN

ROSEMARY HOLLAND

KANISHA HOLT

ALEXA HORNSTEIN

LUNA HUEBCHEN

KYRA HUMPHREY

CHASE HUTCHINGS

ALEESHA HUTMACHER

ALEX JACOBSON

EMILY JACQUEST

MEGAN JANTZEN

ERIC KILIAN

BAILEY KRAMER

TATYANNA KURUCZ

JONATHAN L’HEUREUX-HACHE

MEGAN LAFITTE

MEGAN LAWRENCE

KYLE LEBLANC

COLTON LECLERC

REBECCA LEET

ERIC LEWIS

GRAHAM LOONEY

JONNY LU

TRAVIS MACLEAN

ALEXANDRA MALTON

CASSIDY MARINUS

EMILY MARSTON

GABRIELLE MATHESON

JENNA MATKOSKI

CASEY MATSUDA

JASPER MAXWELL

MADISON MAYHEW

JOSH MCKEE

SHEA MCKEOWN

WILLIAM MEYER

BEN MILLER

EMMA MILLER

EMILY MIRABELLI

MACKENZIE MOOERS

KAYLA MOYES

MIKAYLA MULGREW

DOMINICK NADEAU

JENVY NGUYEN

VAN NGUYEN

KAITLIN NICKERSON

BROOKE NIEBERGAL

ROWAN O’BRIAN

JAMIE O’HARA

A World of Opportunity Awaits You!

Class of 2013 Graduates, the world is at your feet.

Dream big and work hard, and success will be your reward.

Congratulations!

320 - 5th Street, Courtenay, BC 250-334-2611

22

MARK R. ISFELD SECONDARY

TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 2013 • COMOX VALLEY RECORD

www.comoxvalleyrecord.com

MELLISSA PELLETIER

HOLLY PHILLIPS

BRIANNA PIERCE

BLAKE PLAYFORD

ROSALIE PRICE

MALI PRZY

JOEL REGEHR

HEIDI REISS

JACOB REISS

JACQUELINE REYNOLDS

DANIELLE RICARD

SALLY RICHARDSON

GRAYEME RITCHIE

PHILIP ROMANOV

ADRIANA ROSENDO GUERRERO

CEDAR RUMSEY

SEAN RUTHERFORD

MATTHEW SADLER

KALI SCHECK

HAILEY SCHIEVINK

ZACHARY SCHILLING

CALLUM SEAL

AINSLEY SHEA

STIRLING SHEARS

AMBER SHETTERLY

CAMERON SIM

SCOTT SINCLAIR

MARIANNA SIPIONE

COURTNEY SMITH

EMILY SMITH

RYAN SNOOK

SERINA SPICHTIG

KYLE STEVEN

MASON SUTTON

KAYLA SWING

ALEM TAMEZ GONZALEZ

LEAH T’IEN

JORDAN TAYLOR

BRANDON TOONE

TIFFANY TRAN

TOAN TRAN

DAYTON TURCHENEK

DREW VACCHER

JAKE VAN DER VLIET

KELSEA VEALE

MATHEW VRABEL

LAUREN WAIN

MALIA WEAVER EALES

JOHANNA WEBER

DYLAN VAN WIERINGEN EMMA VANDUYVENVOORDE

JOSHUA WEST

RASHEEDAH WHITE

KIERNAN WILKIE

NOAH YOUNG

Congratulations to our 2013 Grads ALEXA HORNSTEIN ISFELD

MARKETTA AUSTIN VANIER

ANASTASIA JORDAN VANIER

COURTNEY ANDREWS VANIER

www.comoxvalleyrecord.com

25% off tuition

Gateway Academy

for new enrolling families 2013-2014 school year.

For more information or to arrange a school tour contact Tami Dyble at (250) 339-1200 or email inquiries at Office@cvchristian.com

Established in 1979

Gateway Academy Excellence in Education Virtuous Foundations K-12

COMOX VALLEY RECORD • TUesday, June 18, 2013

Comox Valley’s K-12 Independent School

Mercedes Gaglardi When I began attending Gateway in grade 8, I instantly felt connected and fell in love with this school. I am so grateful for what I’ve learned in these past 5 years, and for the people I’ve met and have had relationships with. In July, I am heading off to Austrailia for 1-2 years of Bible college before pursuing a career in neonatal nursing.

Claire Janssen I began kindergarten at Gateway Academy and have had the privilege of attending Gateway for ten of my thirteen school years. The staff here at Gateway have been incredibly supportive and I will miss them next year when I am attending North Island College.

I intend to begin my post-secondary education here in the Valley and pursue a degree in business.

Established in 1979

Natalie Laviolette I came to this school for my grade 12 year, and I’ve loved every minute of it! The memories I made here have been some of the greatest from my time in high school. In the coming fall I will be moving to England to work as an au pair for a year - afterwards, I plan on pursing a career in film and theatre.

• Excellent academic foundations • Balanced class sizes • Excellent programs including technology, music, athletics, fine arts, performing arts, photography, trades apprenticeships and more • Certified, dedicated and caring faculty • Multi-denominational faith-based school community • Tax deductible tuition • Opportunities for parent involvement

Tyson Gilroy I have attended Gateway Academy from grades 5-12.

I chose to stay at this school because of the people.

I love everyone from the teachers to the students.

Teachers invest in students as much as friends invest in each other. After graduation I intend to work for the summer then invest my time into becoming a social worker for the ministry of children.

Kate Beacham

Gateway Academy | 2085 Wallace Ave, Comox, B.C | 250.339.1200 | www.gatewayacademy.ca

Congratulations To the 2013 Graduating Class!

I have attended Gateway Academy since Grade 2. Throughout these 11 years of schooling, I have had so many interesting experiences and created tons of memories. I am planning on working for a year before attending post-secondary school in the science field.

Jaewon Kim I attended Gateway Academy for Grades 11 and 12.

I appreciated all the support from teachers because I left school for a time and they helped me jump back in and graduate in record time.

Since I graduated in January, I am already enrolled in North Island College and planning on being a pharmacist.

23

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TUesday, June 18, 2013 • COMOX VALLEY RECORD

www.comoxvalleyrecord.com

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