Special Features - Grads 2016

CONGRATULATIONS 2015 COMOX VALLEY GRADUATES

COMOXVALLEYRECORD.com

Thursday, June 16, 2015

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Congratulations Comox Valley Grads

2015

June 16, 2015

Quality Foods ~ Courtenay Store Graduates

Congrats!

from everyone at Landon Seeley

Emma Hill

Janina Brugman

Shelby Turnbull

Amelia Mann

Quality Foods ~ Comox Store Graduates

an Island Original.

Jake McKay

Gillian Silzer

Jenna Haaf

Shannon Dawson

Congratulations

2 ■ Thursday, June 16, 2015

CONGRATULATIONS 2015 COMOX VALLEY GRADUATES

TO THE GRADS FROM

COMOX VALLEY

Jake Catling HIGHLAND

Brett Weiss MARK ISFELD

Andrew Boyd MARK ISFELD

Travis Brown MARK ISFELD

Erin McClelland-Asu VANIER

Dakota McNamara VANIER

Jordenne Lalande VANIER

Brookelyn Mercer VANIER

Layne Penrice VANIER

Erik Pinherio VANIER

Kai Beaton ÉCOLE AU COEUR DE L'ÎLE

Cameron Cooper VANIER

COMOXVALLEYRECORD.com

2015

©2015 McDonald’s

Comox Valley ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP WINNER

Congratulations

MERSIA LESPERANCE VANIER

Mersia Lesperance VANIER

MOST LIKELY TO LEAVE A MESS BEHIND.

Hailey Phye VANIER

MOST LIKELY TO DO SOMETHING SWEET.

Tyler Seltenrich MARK ISFELD

MOST LIKELY TO BE A MORNING PERSON.

Catie Theos MARK ISFELD

MOST LIKELY TO TRY SOMETHING NEW.

Tyler Beaton VANIER

MOST LIKELY TO BECOME WORLD FAMOUS.

Tina Ly VANIER

MOST LIKELY TO BE PICKED UP.

®

restaurants at:

1799 Cliffe Avenue, Courtenay 3199 Cliffe Avenue, Courtenay #800, 444 Lerwick Road, Courtenay 727 Anderton Road, Comox

Come celebrate with us!

on winning the 2015 McDonald’s Comox Valley education scholarship!

We appreciate all of your hard work, and nothing makes us happier than being able to reward you for it.

Keep up the great work!

If you are interested in a career with McDonald’s visit mcdonalds.ca/careers

PROUDLY LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED BY STUART AND JESS ALDRED

CONGRATULATIONS 2015 COMOX VALLEY GRADUATES

COMOXVALLEYRECORD.com

Congratulations to the Class of 2015

1-866-210-6585 • Courtenay & Campbell River info@pacificsleep.ca www.pacificsleep.ca

Thursday, June 16, 2015

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Congratulations to the Graduating Class of 2015

KUTYN

property appraisals

45 Years of Values

We’re Here to Help

250.890.3320

Suite 302-1819 Beaufort Ave., Comox

www.kutyn.com

Comox Valley’s K-12 Independent School • Established in 1979

Excellence in Education Virtuous Foundations K-12 • 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 Gaglardi Academy | 1475 Noel Ave., Comox B.C. | 250.339.1200 | www.pjgaglardiacademy.ca

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Ocean Pacific Realty

Each RE/MAX office is independently owned and operated

Our Sincere Congratulations to the Comox Valley Graduating Class of 2015

Dr Mark Lawrence

Certified Specialist in Orthodontics 102 - 2100 Guthrie Road, Comox | 250-339-5775

Cinderella’s Orthodontist

4 ■ Thursday, June 16, 2015

CONGRATULATIONS 2015 COMOX VALLEY GRADUATES

GLACIER VIEW

COMOXVALLEYRECORD.com

SENIOR SECONDARY

Principal’s Message

It gives me great pleasure to officially congratulate Glacier View Secondary’s 2015 graduates. Grads please know that our staff members are very proud of your successes and your resiliency through what has been a journey full of challenges and accomplishments.

Glacier View Secondary hosts students from all reaches of the Comox Valley and surrounding communities. Our student body is a diverse and unique blend of youthful talent that in many cases, simply needs the right environment to flourish. This year our school experienced internal growth with the addition of new classrooms & programs and our students were quick to respond to these new opportunities. Our Youth Hub hosted a number of club meetings throughout the year, students were able to relax and unwind in our new student lounge and the addition of Navigate staff in our building supported a broader range of educational opportunities for our students.

As the end of the school year draws to a close, June is shaping up to be a very exciting time for our students, staff and parents. The upcoming 2015 graduation ceremony will host the largest grad class ever in Glacier View’s history. This is a testament to the growing commitment and drive of our students, and also reflects the unfailing dedication of our teaching and support staff.

Our students have experienced tremendous growth in confidence this year often in the face of numerous obstacles and adversity. For our students to triumph when the temptation for abandonment was ever present, speaks to their fortitude and internal pledge that they will succeed and experience all that life has to offer. The balance has truly tipped in favour of our graduating class, and the timing couldn’t be more perfect, as they embrace adulthood and continue to reach for their career dreams and aspirations.

On behalf of our entire school staff I’d like to acknowledge and applaud the graduates from Glacier View Secondary. We’ve watched you grow into the wonderful and unique individuals you’ve become and have the utmost confidence in the exciting journey each of you will soon travel. Now is the time to let that pride surge within - a time to say, I did it!

––Murray McRae, Principal, Glacier View Elementary

ALANIS AITKEN

BRANDON AYRES

KATIE BARNES

DARIUS BRUMSEY

MONTANA DAVIS

JESSICA DINGJAN

BLAKE JOHNSTON

RIANNA LISCUM

MARCUS MAURICE

JERRY MCCOLL

PATRICK MCLEAN

DAMIEN MINTZ

NO PHOTO AVAILABLE JOSH ALLEN SHELDON HUBELIT SKYLAR NYGREN

AIDEN ROBINSON

DYLAN SIMSON

JAYDE SMITH

Congratulations to Our 2015 Grads

COMOX VALLEY

789 Ryan Rd E., Courtenay 250-338-9401 2451 Cliffe Ave., Courtenay 250-338-6728 394 Lerwick Rd., Courtenay 250-871-5039 727 Anderton Ave., Comox 250-339-3926

Megan Zieth MARK ISFELD

Marina Slater-Vick MARK ISFELD

Victoria Jancowski MARK ISFELD

Michael Taylor MARK ISFELD

Toni Smith G.P. VANIER

Nichole Rogers G.P. VANIER

Tonja Maslin G.P. VANIER

Tanner Patterson-Grunberg G.P. VANIER

CONGRATULATIONS 2015 COMOX VALLEY GRADUATES

G.P. VANIER

COMOXVALLEYRECORD.com

P

Thursday, June 16, 2015

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SENIOR SECONDARY

Valedictorian Madi Gold

rincipal’s Message

“And So It Begins”. This year’s graduation theme certainly evokes an interesting date stamp for this year’s graduating class. An ancient Roman writer once said, “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end” (Seneca). For this graduating class, the beginning that is ending is their long journey from Kindergarten through to Grade 12. It has been a journey of peaks and valleys, of highs and lows, and of happiness and sadness.

So what exactly is beginning? A new journey, with new highs and lows, new successes and failures, and new beginnings to end. It is our hope that the journey through G.P. Vanier has been a successful one for each graduate. We hope that we have prepared them for their new beginnings. G.P. Vanier is an exemplary school, staffed by passionate and caring educators for equally passionate and caring students.

When our graduates reflect upon their Vanier journey, what will they remember about being a part of the Towhee family? Chances are, they will remember the time spent with friends and the laughter and the tears that they shared together. They will remember some of the major events and how these events have impacted their lives to date.

It is our sincere hope that they will remember that school, and in particular, G.P. Vanier was a special beginning in their lives. It is a beginning that is ending. We believe that when they look back, they will feel pride that they were and always will be a Towhee. G.P. Vanier is an exciting place to learn and it contains staff that care. There is no way of knowing where they will go and what they will accomplish but this part of their journey is coming to an end…and so it begins.

––Darren Freeman, Principal, G.P. Vanier Secondary School

Nominated by her peers, Madi Gold says there were many different factors that went into becoming a valedictorian, including grades and school activities, but one of her favourites is sports - particularly rugby. “I love the competition and the girls are super welcoming,” she explains. “They help you try and get ahead, they’re cool people and the game is pretty fun too,” she adds with a laugh.

“I gained 40 sisters and two coaches, which made my high school experience amazing.”

Moving to the Comox Valley when she was six years old, the grad attended Tsolum and Huband Park Elementary before Vanier.

Madi’s passion for the sport works well for her career ambitions - sports medicine. She’s looking forward to leaving the Island for a little bit in September to attend UBC so she can “experience a few more things” and enter into their kinesiology program.

Eventually, she adds, she would like to find a job in rehabilitation therapy connecting with hospitals.

Another reason for choosing UBC for her post-secondary school is their history in having a strong rugby team.

In order to apply to be the female valedictorian, Madi says she was nominated by her peers, but needed to present a speech to her class. While she’s looking forward to graduation night, she admits public speaking isn’t her favourite, and will be looking to her fellow valedictorian for support for the speech. “If you’re in the front rows, you might see some sweat,” she adds with a laugh.

Valedictorian Jared Heavener

Jared Heavener knew he always wanted to take to the skies. The G.P. Vanier Secondary School male valedictorian, who was born in the Comox Valley, knew from a very young age he always wanted to fly.

“I am going to go into the Royal Military College for aeronautical engineering,” he says.

Heavener spent five-and-a-half years as an air cadet in the Valley, and recalls one of his first flights - and most memorable - was in a glider plane. “I’m really excited,” he adds. “It’ll be the longest time I’ve been away from home, but I’m looking forward to the fun of meeting new people. I always like a challenge.”

Although he leaves shortly after graduation for Kingston, Heavener notes the he’s really looking forward to the four-year program, and the years of training that comes afterwards. His ultimate goal though, is to return to the Comox Valley.

“I’d really like to stay close,” he adds. “I would like to become a Buffalo pilot for search and rescue.”

While he’s enjoying his last weeks in the Valley before school, the valedictorian says he will take with him to post-secondary only positive memories of his high school experience. “I always thought high school was this big scary place where kids get pushed into lockers and teased. I have no negative memories of Vanier. It’s a very inclusive place, and there’s always a spot for everybody.”

Along with his fellow valedictorian Madi Gold, Heavener says he’s looking forward to their speech as is putting any possible nerves about public speaking at bay. “I’m excited; I like public speaking. The ceremony is mostly for parents, so we’re making sure the speech is for students - we’re going to keep it light and funny.”

CLEO AGAR

ROBERT ALLISON

HELEN ANDERSON

ALEXANDRA ARLITT

ADEL ARNDT

BRAYDEN AUSTIN

CHLOE BAIRD-TITCOMB

ZLATAN BAKOVLJEV

BAYLEE BALON

BRANDON BALON

DOMINIC BARNES

KELSEY BARTON

TERYN BATES

TYLER BEATON

JENNA BEHAN

GEORGIA BELLAMY

JESSE BELLEY

COLIN BERNARD

BRANDI BERRY

KAITLYN BLYTH-HAZELMAN

DAVID BOUWERS

ANDREW BOUZANE

ALEXANDRA BRETT BOUTET

JONALYNN BRITTON

BRAYDON BROUWER

JANINA BRUGMAN

JULIAN BRYAN

JACIE BUCKINGHAM-CHARTIER

SIERRA BURTCH

KYNAN CALVERT

FARRELL CAMBREY

JORDAN CAMPBELL

BRONWEN CARBERRY

RACHAEL CASANAVE

NICHOLAS CHANG

ANALISE CHERRY

AURORA CHENG

ERIKA CHEUGOUA-KAMGA

JENNA CHOE

AZAK CHOWNS

SARAH CHUDLEIGH-HILL

LOGAN CLARK

MIKHI CLARK

KRISTI CLARKE

SHELBY CLARKE

JAMES CLARKE

AUSTIN COATES

DYLAN COBURN

JARED COLLIN

ALISON COLLINGE

DRAKE COLLINGS

RYAN COOMBER

CAMERON COOPER

KAYLEE CRISFIELD

KOBE CROSBY

6 ■ Thursday, June 16, 2015

CONGRATULATIONS 2015 COMOX VALLEY GRADUATES

TATJANA CUNCU

CAMERON CURROR

JEFFERY DANIELS

COURTENAY DAVIS

CYRUS DENNISON

SARAH DENNY

JUSTIN DOIG

JACOB DOLL

MAITE DUHAIME

BLAKE DUNCAN

JOEL DYCK

ALICIA EDWARDS

GINA FILIPPONI

GWENDOLYN EVANS

JILL FRANCESCHINI

CHEYENNE FRENETTE

KYLE FUKUI

MERRICK DE CENT

COMOXVALLEYRECORD.com

JENNA DEWITT

SOPHIA DIGUISTINI

SAM DIGUISTINI

BRIANNA DILKS

OCEAN EPHGRAVE-OLSEN

NATALIE EVANS

NICHOLAS EVERILL

DAVID FAAK

LAUREN FARRELL

DORIS FULLER

MARLENA FUNK

TAYA GAGNON

CURTIS GAUDREAU

HADEN GIBBONS

LIAM GIBLIN

BRADLEY GIBSON

TALIA GILMORE

KOLBY GIRARD

SAVANNAH GLENNIE

BREANNA GOFFMAN

MADI GOLD

KATHLEEN GOUDIE

JESSICA GRAVELLE

KENTON GRAVES

NASEEM HABIBI

SARA HALL

LYDIA HAMILTON

ALEX HANCOCK

TYLER HANDLEN-SIMPSON

CONNOR HARDY

CROSS HARRISON

CIERA HAUGHTON

JARED HEAVENER

KAITLIN HILLARD

MAGGIE HILLIS

KARI HUTTON

LUKE IRWIN

Congratulations Class of 2015!

Courtenay-Alberni

North Island-Powell River

glennsollittgpc.ca

participatory democracy sustainability ecological wisdom social justice non-violence respect for diversity

Wishing you a lifetime of successful moments.

greensofnorthisland-powellriver.ca/

Congratulations

to the Graduating Class of 2015 ULATIONS TO OUR 201 5 GRADS CONGRAT

Downtown Courtenay • 250-334-4523

Shania Bodungen HIGHLAND

Ocean Smith HIGHLAND

Rachel Jantzen MARK ISFELD

104-727 Anderton Ave, Comox 250-941-1293

CONGRATULATIONS 2015 COMOX VALLEY GRADUATES

COMOXVALLEYRECORD.com

Thursday, June 16, 2015

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DION IVISON

JONATHAN JESTICO

JAMES JOHNSTONE

YURIAH KASKA

AUSTIN KEDDY

EZRA KLASSEN

CAMILLE KLASSEN

MICHELLE KLOUCEK

CAMERON KNOX

CHRISTOFER KRISTOFF

KYLE KRYZANOWSKI

RAYELLE LACOURSE

JORDENNE LALANDE

KYANA LAROCQUE

MORGAN LARSON

TYLER LATHIGEE

NELVIN LAW

KATIE LEARY

KEVIN LEBRUN

DJ LEE

TYLER LEES

JAKE LEFLEY

MERISA LESPERANCE

JOHN LEVIGNE

JEREMY LEWIS

ZACHARY LEWIS-CHASE

BROOKE LINDAL

DYLAN LINDE

DARCY LINDQUIST

MACKENZIE LISCH STADNICHUK

SHANE LONGLAND

TINA LY

MADYSON MACINTYRE

TAYLOR MACKINNON

BRADLY MACMILLAN

BROOK-LYNE MACMILLAN

EMILY MARSH

TONJA-LYNNE MASLIN

IAIN MASTERTON-LAWRENCE

ORESSA MATHERS-CYR

ERIN MCCLELLAND-ASU

HALEY MCGILL

SEAN MCGINNIS

MICHAEL MCGIVERN

BRANDON MCLAREN

IAIN MCLEAN

KYLA MEARS

BROOKELYN MERCER

REECE MEYERHOFF

ETHAN MILLER

DARBY MISENER

CHRISTIAN MITCHELL

TLELL MOONEY

TRAVIS MOORE

GEORGIA MORRIS

A World of

Class of 2015 Graduates, the world is at your feet.

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

ons!

lati Congratu

Opportunity Awaits You!

320 - 5th Street, Downtown Courtenay

250-334-2611

smiles every day.

Management & Staff wish the Comox Valley Graduating Classes of 2015 a

healthy & prosperous future

660 England Ave, Courtenay, BC (250) 338-1383

444 Lerwick Rd., Courtenay, BC (250) 331-5101

8 ■ Thursday, June 16, 2015

CONGRATULATIONS 2015 COMOX VALLEY GRADUATES

COMOXVALLEYRECORD.com

BLAINE MORROW

DANICA MULLER

KEELY MURRAY

KAITLYN NAGY

JAMES-AMZIN NAHIRNICK

KATINKA NEUMANN

ANDREA NEWMAN

RYLEE NEWSOM

TYSON NGUYEN

EMILY NOVAK

DOMINIK OPATRIL

KEELY ORRICK

MARY PARKER

TAYLOR PARKER

JOHN PARKIN

JOSIE PATTERSON

TANNER PATTERSON-GRUNBERG

EVAN PEARCY

LAYNE PENRICE

CHANEL PETTERSON

EMILY PHALEN

BRYCE OLSEN

BRADEN PHILLIPS

HAILEY PHYE

KYRA PIERCY

ERIK PINHEIRO

RORY POZZOLO

SOPHIE PUNGENTE

DANIKA RAY

KYLE RAYNER

CASSANDRA RECINOS

KENNEDY RIEDLINGER

LOGAN RILEY

ROHNAN RILEY

QUINN ROGERS

NICHOLE ROGERS

ELIZA ROSS

MEGAN ROUSSEAU

JEREMY SAMPSON

JEMMA SAMUELS

SHAY SANDIFORD

SASHA SANVIDO

LAUREN SARGENT

TSUBASA SARUBAYASHI

ALEX STEVENS

COLE STEVENS

GEORDIE SAVOIE

BLAIR SCHMELZ

BRAYDON SHERWOOD

DUNCAN SIMPSON

HAILEY SKINNER

Hard Work

1000 OFF

$

for Qualifying Grads

COURTENY SLONSKI

WILL SMITH

TONI SMITH

Pays Off Swap our your cap and gown for a new set of keys and wheels with Scion’s Grad Program. Get a $1000 allowance towards the purchase or approved lease of a vehicle from Scion’s stellar lineup as you enter life’s next chapter.

We want to put you behind the wheel, even without an established credit history. Lease or Finance through Toyota Financial Services (TFS) and you may also be eligible for the TFS Grad Program, providing a reduction to your lease or finance rate IN ADDITION to the Scion posted rate.

Plus, qualifying Grads that prefer to lease can ‘waive’ “Goodbye” to the security deposit and say “Hello” to savings.

Scion TC

Scion FR-S

Arriving in July

www.CourtenayScion.com

445 Crown Isle Blvd. (250) 338 6761

#7478

TY SATHER

CONGRATULATIONS 2015 COMOX VALLEY GRADUATES

COMOXVALLEYRECORD.com

Thursday, June 16, 2015

■9

SAMANTHA SPODZIEJA

DEREK STEPHENS

EMILY STEVENS

LIAM STRACHAN

JUSTIN STREETON

JESSICA STRONG

JOE SURGENOR

NICK SWITZER

ERIC TACCOGNA

ALEXA TANTRUM

ALISA TATHAM

ASHIANNA TEARNE

MAAZY THOONG

ANNA TILLEY

MELISSA TOWNSEND

DANNY TRUONG

COLTON TUKA

SHELBY TURNBULL

BRIANNA URDEA

DEAN URDEA

ALEX VAN BOURGONDIEN

RILEY VARKONJA

Way to go!

TABI WALL

CHLOE WATKIN

COLTON WEGER

ALEASHA WIEBE

BRADEN WIEBE

RACHEL WILLIAMS

Congratulations to the Class of TAYLOR WORKMAN

GEOFFREY WRIGHT

BREANNE WRIGHT

VICKY WU

2015

GABRIEL YAKIBCHUK

Taryn Papineau

NO PHOTO AVAILABLE AURORA CHENG OCEAN EPHGRAVE-OLSEN DRAKE PATTERSON-COLLINGS

RYAN YEOMANS

MORGAN YOUNG

TERRY ZHOU

Mark R. Isfeld

250-338-5695 Mon-Fri 8:00-5:00 2995 Moray Ave., Courtenay

BRENNAN ZILKIE

Best toWishes our

Wonderful Grads!

Zoey Mayenburg Gabrielle Swann-Ouellet Brendan Mulgrew Eli Simcoe-Metcalfe Highland

Mark R. Isfeld

Mark R. Isfeld

from the Residents and Staff at

Mark R. Isfeld

Katinka Neumann

Julie Picket

G.P. Vanier

Ecole au-Coeur-de-L'ile

Taylor Vaandering

Garret McBride

Mark R. Isfeld

Mark R. Isfeld

BERWICK COMOX VALLEY

BERWICK COMOX VALLEY

1700 Comox Avenue, Comox BC V9M 4H4 | Tel: 250-339-1690 www.berwickretirement.com

10 ■ Thursday, June 16, 2015

CONGRATULATIONS 2015 COMOX VALLEY GRADUATES

MARK R. ISFELD COMOXVALLEYRECORD.com

SENIOR SECONDARY

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 2015. Every graduating class seems to acquire its own identity, and this group of students have come very far as a cohesive group. As a dual track school, it is easy to drift into solitudes of French and English streams, and while these streams largely merge through senior courses, it is not uncommon for social factions to form and persist.

Over the course of this year, one thing I have found particularly gratifying is the open and welcoming way our grads have treated each other, blurring social lines to a point where we can say that they have truly gelled as a grad class.

The Class of 2015 has honoured the traditions of past classes, maintaining high standards for our Fashion Show, Terry Fox Run, Grad Dessert night and most notably, their commitment to Relay for Life. It can be daunting to meet the academic, artistic and athletic demands of a grad year, and then discover the heavy commitment expected around citizenship. This grad class stepped up, and then stepped further by committing to fill a trailer truck with food for the local Food Bank last February.

As giving as our graduates have been in the community, we also expect them to give back to the students at Mark Isfeld that they leave behind. In this, the Class of 2015 has continued to exemplify the caring, maturity and responsibility we want for all of our students. They have inspired our current grade 11s and next year’s grad class to look upon their last year with hope and opportunity, even knowing it will be incredibly hard work. They have supported and guided our youngest students both overtly and through their example.

The staff have enjoyed working with these graduates because they have always been pleasant, respectful, fun and interesting individuals. On their behalf, I would like to thank the Graduating Class of 2015 for the time we have shared together and wish all of you the best in your future.

––Mr. Jeff Taylor, Principal, Mark R. Isfeld Secondary School

Valedictorian Adam Humphry

Adrian Humphry has been around — the world, that is. At age five, he and his family drove to Central America where they spent a year-and-a-half before moving from Vancouver to the Comox Valley. “We like to travel a lot. We’ve been to Africa and Italy, but Central America was the biggest trip,” he said, recalling watermelon slurpees and early morning hikes to temples where they would watch the sunrise.

Adrian also likes soccer, played on the school rugby team and performed with the jazz band. He and the Isfeld robotics team have twice competed at the world championships. Two years ago, they placed about 40th out of roughly 400 teams. Then last year, the squad placed third at the competition in Anaheim, Calif. “That was very exciting.” The team again qualified this year but decided not to attend when one member could not make the trip.

In the fall, Adrian will be at the University of Toronto studying engineering sciences.

His message to his peers is to do as many things as you can, and figure out what it is you like. “Like trying to get involved with a lot of school activities. They offer a ton of really cool stuff like woodworking classes and the jazz band and choir. So try and get involved with things that seem interesting to you, and that will help you find maybe what you want to do further on in life for your job.”

Valedictorian Emma Jaquier

Emma Jaquier has been at Mark Isfeld Secondary just two years but is nevertheless one of two valedictorians for Isfeld’s graduating class of 2015.

Born in Switzerland, she had an opportunity to travel at a young age, largely in Europe, particularly in her home country as well as France.

“Combined, we’ve probably seen most of the world,” she said about herself and fellow valedictorian Adrian Humphry.

“I’m not athletic in any way, but I’m in choir, and I just joined when I moved here, so that was pretty cool.”

She has also been active in the school’s life skills program which assists students in all grades.

“That’s where I spend the majority of my time,” said Emma, who has her sights set on nursing sometime down the road.

“But I want to hopefully combine nursing with special education in some way.”

After graduating, Emma plans to spend a year in Switzerland.

“I got a job there working in a school for children who are special needs, ages four and five,” she said.

As she prepares for life beyond secondary school, Emma stresses the importance of involving oneself with activities of interest.

“Experience is a good way to find people that have things in common with you too,” she said. “And find a good social group.”

CONGRATS TO Cailean Switzer

ions t a l u t a r g Con

Graduates of

2015

from Highland

Don McRae, MLA Comox Valley

Congratulations high school graduates!

Emma Jaquier

Derek Mellish

Best wishes from all the staff.

Courtenay branch / 200 - 470 Puntledge Road / T. 250.334.8888 / cwbank.com

Monday to Friday, 9AM - 4PM

www.donmcraemla.bc.ca

Congratulations Grads

#121-750 Comox Road, Courtenay • Comox Mall • Driftwood Mall PH 250-334-3124 • TF 1-800-638-4226 • FX 250-334-1901 www.royallepagecomoxvalley.com

Constituency Office 437 5th St., Courtenay BC V9N 1J7 Phone: (250) 703-2422 Fax: (250) 703-2425 Email: don.mcrae.mla@leg.bc.ca

TOWN OF COMOX 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

Y

CONGRATULATIONS 2015 COMOX VALLEY GRADUATES

COMOXVALLEYRECORD.com

Thursday, June 16, 2015

■ 11

NICHOLAS ANTAYA

KARENA AUSTIN

TREVOR BAYNTON

MICHAEL BENISKY

TAYA BEZANSON

MAGGIE BIRD

WILLIAM-PATRICK BLOUIN-COMEAU

ANDREW BOYD

CONNOR BROWN

TRAVIS BROWN

MAGGIE BRUCE

EMMA BRUSCHETTA

CHANTELLE BURGESS

JOSH BURNEAU

JADE CALLAHAN-AUGER

ISABELLE CAMPBELL

DANIEL CATTELL

GRAYSON CHALIFOUX

KAREN CHEUNG

JANET CHOW

KATHARINE CORMAN

BRADLEY CRISP

CASSIDY CRISP

MELISSA CROOKALL-FRASER

BRAYDEN DAIGLE

AMIKA DAVIES

RYAN DAWSON

SHANNON DAWSON

LAUREN DE GOEDE

MICHAELA DEMEO

DOMINIC DIETRICH

JOSHUA DOLMAN

BRIANNA DONNELLY-JOSEPH

MADISON DUECK

KIM EDMUNDSON

GILLIAN ELLSAY

LAURENA FAIRBAIRN

MADELEINE FLAHR

KAITLIN FORTIER

COLE FREEMAN

NATHAN FREIHEIT

CAMERON GAGNE

BLAZE GAILLOUX

JORDAN GARDNER

BEN GASTIS

MAX GEE

NICHOLAS GIBBS

YANINA GOSHA

KARLEY GREENLAW

JENNA HAAF

HEATHER HARWIJNE

ROY HEMMERICH

RYLAND HENDERSON

JAKE HESELGRAVE

EMMA HILL

KATIE HOERBURGER

SEAN HOESSMANN

CHRIS HOWARD

CHELSEA HOWLAND

ADRIAN HUMPHRY

KRISTOPHER HURWORTH

MATTHEW IRVINE

VICTORIA JANCOWSKI

RACHEL JANTZEN

EMMA JAQUIER

MAX JEKABSON

KATELYNN JENSEN-SMYTHE

JACOB JONES

WILLIAM KATERBERG

MARIAH KLUS

MEGAN KOCHANUK

MEGAN KOMORI KENNEDY

JORDAN KOSTER

JARED LEBLANC

ALICIA LECOMPTE

KENNEDY LEDINGHAM

EMMA LEEVERS

AUSTIN LEGENDRE

AUDREY LUI

MUKRADA MA

CONOR MAC NEIL

ALLANA MACKINNON

JESSICA MACLEAN

KEZIAH MAGOR

AMELIA MANN

GARRET MCBRIDE

VIOLET MCKENZIE

KATE MCKEOWN

DEREK MELLISH

KELSEY MIDDLETON

JUSTIN MIRABELLI

LIAM MOISE

COLE MOORE

BEN MORIN

KELSEY MORRIS

DEVAN MORRISSEY

CARSON MOYES

BRENDAN MULGREW

LOGAN MUNROE-GRAVES

MARNI MURPHY

TENNIEL MURRAY

BRADY MYERS

TARYN PAPINEAU

NICOLAS PARLEE

LINDSAY PETTIS

MARCIA POUND

MILENA MCNIFF RESTAN

COLTON RICARD

HALEY RICHARDSON

TRISTAN RIDDY

PAIGE ROBSON

CAITLYNN SADEGHZADEH

ISABEL SANDER-SEGRIFF

NOVA SARFI WOOD

MORGAN SCHAFER

COLE SCRASE

ELI SIMCOE-METCALFE

JASNA RAMSDEN-MORELLI

HAYDEN SCHECK

SOPHIE REIMER

KYLE SCHLEIBINGER

12 ■ Thursday, June 16, 2015

ARRON SLACK

TYSON SLATER

GABRIELLE SWAN-OUELLET

BRANDON TASSE

ALAN WEST

LILA WISEMAN

CONGRATULATIONS 2015 COMOX VALLEY GRADUATES

MARINA SLATER-VICK

MEGHAN TAYLOR

GRANT WOODS

THOMAS SMITH

AVERY SNIDER

MICHAEL TAYLOR

CATIE THEOS

NICHOLAS XYLINAS

WINSTON SONG

TAYLOR VAANDERING

RAINBOW ZHAO

MEGAN ZIETH

BRITTANY SPONSELEE

KIA VAN DER VLIET

KENDRA ZIMMERMAN

COMOXVALLEYRECORD.com

SHAELYN SPOWART

DAISY SQUIRES

KYLE WADE

No Photo Available: Salvadore Burchill Tom Fetherston Boyd Hoggan Sage Leone Jason Li

JAKE WALKER

Dylan Loyst Riley Mathieson Holly Murray Damon Scrase Tyler Seltenrich

DAMON STANGHERLIN

TAMSYN STEVEN

DANIEL WEATHERALL

BRETT WEISS

Wooster Seo Julian Wear Emily Willis Jacky Xin

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE

Grad Class of 2015 from

Bert & Keith and all the staff at

Bert Heeringa

Keith Pistell

STORE: 250.338.0101 | SERVICE: 250.338.655

278 Old Island Highway, Courtenay

ÉCOLE AU-CŒUR-DE-L’ÎLE Principal’s Message Au nom du personnel de l’école Au-cœur-de-l’île et de la communauté francophone de la Vallée de Comox, je KAI BEATON félicite nos finissants d’avoir complété leurs études secondaires et leur souhaite bon courage et bon succès avec les projets que l’avenir leur réserve. Ces 10 finissants ont servi et continueront à servir de modèles pour la jeunesse francophone de la région et de la province. Ils ont travaillé fort et ont démontré beaucoup de persévérance en atteignant leurs objectifs. De Yaakaar au Guatemala, de la France à Bamfield, de Victoria à Vancouver, des Jeux francophones au Parlement Jeunesse, ce groupe dynamique a vécu de merveilleux moments avec nous et ensemble. Nos finissants MÉLANIE RUTHERFORD laissent surtout un bel héritage d’excellence académique, artistique et sportif en plus d’un esprit communautaire exemplaire. Chacun des 10 finissants poursuivra ses études postsecondaires à l’automne et nous sommes confiants qu’ils continueront à briller dans leur nouvelle communauté.

On behalf of the staff of École Au-cœur-de-l’île and the Comox Valley’s francophone community, I want to congratulate our Class of 2015 graduates and wish them success and courage in their future endeavours. Their energy and boundless enthusiasm for learning and for adventure have left an indelible mark on our school community.

All 10 will be attending post-secondary institutions in the Fall and they will undoubtedly continue to be leaders in their new environment.

KENZA BELHADI

CHRISTIAN CARON

SÉBASTIEN LAVOIE

ERIKA MASSICOTTE

AGATHE MONIER

JULIE PICKETT

Congratulations to the Grads of 2015 from everyone at Searle’s May your dreams and wishes come true!

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

SAMUEL ST-DENIS

“Serving the Comox Valley for over 80 Years”

250 Fifth Street Courtenay 250-334-3178

Stéphane LeBlanc Directeur/Principal

Open Monday to Saturday 9:30-5:30, Friday Till 9:00pm

AMANDA SYLVESTRE

“Searle’s for that hard to fit foot”

www.searlesshoes.com

HIGHLAND CONGRATULATIONS 2015 COMOX VALLEY GRADUATES

COMOXVALLEYRECORD.com

Principal’s Message

Congratulations to the Highland graduating class of 2015!

On this important occasion take some time to celebrate your accomplishments, pause to thank those that have helped you along the way, and then move towards your next goal in life. In many respects your education is just beginning. The ‘real world’ will provide many lessons in many different forms. Just keep in mind that anything of value will come from hard work and sacrifice.

Graduation is a rite of passage; it’s the day we recognize not only their academic accomplishments but one which marks the transition from one phase of life to another. Our valedictorians, Cassie Jeffrey and Liam Galway described this perfectly in their speech to the graduates, “We walk through the halls of Highland, wearing a backpack. In it contains the things necessary for the school day ahead: pencils, paper, textbooks and lunch. But it also carries something more. This something is not a physical object; it is an identity, one that is created through the artificial environment of high school. We challenge you, upon graduation, to take off your backpack, take off the identity that school has made you wear, and adopt your own way of being.” And later, “So take off your backpack, leave behind your pens, paper and personality that aligned itself with high school, and pick up your own identity, and fill it with whatever makes you, you.”

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. We hope you take with you the sense of community we have tried to instill 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.

Thursday, June 16, 2015

■ 13

SENIOR SECONDARY

Valedictorian Cassie Jeffrey

Cassie Jeffrey’s family moved to the Comox Valley when she was in Grade 4, and entered Highland Secondary in Grade 8. She said the setting for her high school years was about the only consistency of the past half decade. “My interests and activities changed all the time and the reason for that is because I am constantly changing what I want to do when I graduate.”

When Cassie first arrived at Highand, her focus was science, because she wanted to be a veterinarian. “As I moved on, I realized that I just love animals, but I don’t necessarily want to go that route as a career. As I got older, I realized how creative I am and how intuitive I am with people.” That intuitiveness steered her toward human studies.

“When I first took psychology, I absolutely loved it. It’s mind-blowing. So it encouraged me to think about pursuing that as a career.” True to the adage that it’s a woman’s prerogative to change her mind, Cassie changed course again. “I also love make-up, and make-up artistry, and the art of that. I also love videography and photography. So I am kind of in a weird crossroads between two very different careers. But if I have a dream, it is totally make-up, and working with movies, and TV shows and travelling with it.” Cassie did the makeup for the Highland Grad Fashion Show in both 2013 and 2014. She was also a makeup artist for this year’s Highland production of The Addams Family. “It made me realize how much I love the stage. I love being on stage; I love being around the stage. I danced for nine years, so it was nice to be backstage and see how it works.” Her goal is to attend Blanche MacDonald Centre Makeup School in Vancouver. She will start with a term of university studies at North Island College, just to see “If what I want to do is really what I want to do.” As she leaves Highland, she has a parting message for her peers. “I just want everyone to realize that Grad, it’s a good day. But it’s not going to be our best day. This is not the beginning, this is not the end - it’s just a continuation. Embrace it, but have faith that there will be a lot of good days to come.”

Valedictorian Liam Galway

It will come as no surprise to anyone who knows Liam Galway that his future plans surround theatre. It has always been a big part of his life, and it was a very big part of his five years at Highland Secondary. “The most memorable times for me at school are definitely being in theatre, on stage, and the memories and friends I have made through that.”

Liam will be heading east this summer, to Toronto, for a joint drama studies program, at the University of Toronto and Sheridan College.

“It’s a bachelor of arts honours degree and a professional acting diploma. It’s a four-year program.” Liam first got into theatre at the age of nine, after watching his sister, Hannah, on stage. “I was inspired by the way she made the audience feel - like the way she would make my family feel. I wanted to make my family feel that way as well.” He started with dancing, and then “fell in love with acting.” He has spent much of his time at Highland on stage, as captain of the improv team, and as the lead in the school’s production of The Addams Family.

He was also heavily involved with community groups, such as Comox Valley Youth Music Centre and Rainbow Youth Theatre. With Hannah now at the National Ballet of Canada, and Liam following suit, stage performance runs in the family - but it doesn’t run deep. “People in may family try to lay claim to it, saying ‘I used to dance…’ and we’re just ‘no you didn’t. You didn’t.’”

Liam said other than theatre, his experience with the International Baccalaureate Program really stands out as memorable. “It completely opened my mind - it — Dean Patterson, Principal, Highland Secondary School was such a different way of learning. It was a real intimate relationship with education. It was an amazing experience being part of the IB program.”

Liam’s message to his fellow grads is simple. “The world is out there waiting for you.”

independent ndependent JOHN’S

YOUR INDEPENDENT GROCER

O P E N S E V E N D AY S A W E E K 8 A M T O 1 0 P M .

Fridrikka Wright

Mikayla Graves

Sarah Kaiser-Pardiac

Tomekia Edwards

Morgan Longland

HIGHLAND

HIGHLAND

HIGHLAND

HIGHLAND

HIGHLAND

Bryan Dickson

Kelsey Morris

Michaela Demeo

Damon Stranghlerlin

ISFELD

ISFELD

ISFELD

HIGHLAND

Dalton Pearson

Daniel Pasaluko

HIGHLAND

HIGHLAND

Melissa Crookall-Fraser Iain Masterton–Lawrence

Congratulations to the Class of 2015!

ISFELD

VANIER

LOCATED AT COMOX CENTRE MALL 215 Port Augusta Street, Comox

14 ■ Thursday, June 16, 2015

MICHEL ANDRADE

CONGRATULATIONS 2015 COMOX VALLEY GRADUATES

PERRY ASSU

TRISTAN AVERY

SIMONE BARDONNER

JULIANA BARTEMUCCI

MALLARI BAZIEL

TYREL BEATTIE

JANEY BRASSARD

OLIVIA BRUNT

SANDY CAGOCO

JAKE CATLING

THOMAS CHARLES

WIL CHERSINOFF

BRYAN DICKSON

COLIN DIXON

KELSI DUNCAN

TOMEKIA EDWARDS

JESSIE ELLIOTT

LIAM GALWAY

TY GRAHAM

MIKAYLA GRAVES

ADAM GREENE

ANDREW JUTTE

SARAH KAISER-PARDIAC

CHLOE KETECA

CONOR LUTY

MARGARET LYSTER

JEREMY MCMAHON

COMOXVALLEYRECORD.com

MICHELLE BEAULE

SHANIA BODUNGEN

RYAN BORSCHNECK

TOM BRAILEY

CARA COMEAU

KATYA CRAATS

LIAM CROTTEY

ASIA CROWTHER

TRAVIS CURTIS

KEVIN FANG

KAYLEH FARNHAM

KIENAN FOGTMANN

KEITH FORSBERG

KIRSTEN FORSBERG

NATTI GAGNE

COURTNEY HAINES

JADEN HAMBLEY

KATRINA HAMILTON

SHANE HATCHARD

BILLIE HEINPALU

CASSIE JEFFREY

NICOLAS JORDAN

VALERIE KNOWLES

JORDAN KUBIAK

BENJAMIN LANGILLE

ERIC LEBLANC

KIRSTYN LEE

MACKENZIE LESLIE

KRISTY LLOYD

MORGAN LONGLAND

NATHAN MANUEL

TAYLOR MARCICKI

LAINE MARTIN

LUCIEN MAURICE

ZOEY MAYENBURG

RILEY MCEACHNIE

DRAYA MCFAYDEN

SARAH MCINNES

JAKE MCKAY

TRAVIS MINTA

NOAH MOISE

TAYLER MORTON

EMMA NEUFELD

KRIS OLYNYK

KATHERIN OUELLETTE

CHELSEA PACE

DANIEL PASALUKO

DALTON PEARSON

JAYDON POLSON

JONATHAN REID

LAUREN RENSVOLD

WILLEM ROELANTS

EMMA RUDOLPH

LAEL RUTHERFORD

PHIL SCHAFFHAUSER

COLE SCHOEMAN

RACHEL SCOTT

LANDON SEELEY

DHRUVAL SHAH

NATASHA SHAMBROOK

GILLIAN SILZER

DAKOTA SJODIN

KENDRA SMITH

OCEAN SMITH

ALY STARLING

MEILLA STERZENBACH

CONNOR STEWART

CAILEAN SWITZER

FIONA SZILAGYI

BRENNAN TACK

NICHOLAS TEWINKEL

FRANCES THERON

EMILY TONEFF

GARRETT TORTORELLI

ROYCE WARD

LAURA WATSON

LEANN WIERINGA

FRIDRIKKA WRIGHT

CHANCE YANKE

JACK YEO

ADRIAN YIM

TRISTAN ZABORNIAK

No Photo Available: JUSTIN BERG ALEX BROWN BRETT DALTON

KYLE FALLOWFIELD ALEXANDER LYTTLE JAMES MCKINNON

DALE NEWMAN LEILANY PEREZ BENJAMIN RUSTON

ARJUN SAGER KA CHING SUNG SIMON TREIBER

ZIQING WEI

CONGRATULATIONS 2015 COMOX VALLEY GRADUATES

COMOXVALLEYRECORD.com

Thursday, June 16, 2015

■ 15

PHIL & JENNIE

GAGLARDI ACADEMY Our Graduates Principal’s Message On behalf of the staff and students of Phil & Jennie Gaglardi Academy, we extend our heart-felt congratulations to each of you. You’ve finally made it! After thirteen years of preparation and schooling, you’ve reached the end of this part of your life’s journey and will now begin a whole new adventure. We are proud of you, and we honour your dedication, hard work and pursuit of excellence.

All of you will travel a different path from here; some to work and some to further education; some will remain in the Valley, and some will move away. Regardless of the places you will go, seek God and His kingdom first, then all things will be added. Ask for His guidance in your pursuits and plans. Don’t make His guidance complicated. It is actually not hard to hear God if you diligently seek Him. You have been given many great gifts and talents, and we anticipate seeing the wondrous things you will do with your future.

Bernadette Pitcher - Principal, Phi & Jennie Gaglardi Academy

TOM BEACHAM

JOSIAH GYTENBEEK

Valedictorian Tom Beacham

NATHANIEL JOHNSON

CAMPBELL OLMSTEAD

LIAM OLMSTEAD

CARMEN STEVENS

We’re Very Proud of Our Grads.

I have attended Phil and Jennie Gaglardi Academy for all thirteen years of my education. After graduation, I plan to work on my family’s farm for a year before taking courses in industrial mechanics at North Island College. At school, I have taken a variety of courses that I saw would benefit my future career choice such as chemistry and physics, but I have also taken courses that interest me such as history and photography. Outside of school I have mainly worked on the family farm, where I am continually learning more things about myself and work-related activities. I am glad to be graduating this year with such a diverse class whose interests range from drama to ecology to history to welding! These students write poetry, lead improvisation teams, work with kids at camp, and pursue service to others both within our school community and within our local and global communities.

One thing I have really learned about my faith at Gaglardi Academy is that there is no limit to how big it can grow because in Christ anything is possible. Jesus says in Matthew 17:20, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” As a graduating class, we learned about this kind of faith as we faced the huge task of raising money to be part of a missions trip to Tanzania. It took faith to believe that the money would come in, and it did. I think we grads will remember to take this important faith lesson with us as we leave our secondary school education and go on to the next phase that life holds for us. When we have faith in Christ, nothing will be impossible for us!

Emily Toneff Highland

Iain Mclean Vanier

Brooke Lindal Vanier

Brook-Lyne MacMillan Vanier

White Spot Restaurant 2299 Cliffe Ave., Courtenay 250.338.8474 whitespot.ca | tripleos.com

Congratulations to our Graduating Employees!

We are very proud of you.

Michel Andrade Highland

Cameron Knox Vanier

Logan Clark Vanier

Jesse Belley Vanier

Emma Brushetta Isfeld

Justin Mirabelli Isfeld

Grayson Chalifoux Isfeld

Jake Walker Isfeld

Jessica Maclean Isfeld

Roy Hemmerich Isfeld

Ben Morin Isfeld

Dylan Zanpilowicz Glacier View

COME AND SEE WHAT WE HAVE IN STORE FOR YOU 757 Ryan Road, Courtenay

757 Ryan Road, Courtenay • 250-334-6927

16 ■ Thursday, June 16, 2015

CONGRATULATIONS 2015 COMOX VALLEY GRADUATES

COMOXVALLEYRECORD.com

NIC’s class of 2015

North Island College congratulates all our Comox Valley graduates We recognize their hard work and achievements in becoming the North Island’s newest professionals in the fields of arts, sciences, business, fine arts and design, health, community care, tourism, trades and technology.

www.nic.bc.ca

We wish you every success in your career.

www.nic.bc.ca | 250-334-5000