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UP IN SMOKE
This week
DAR R E L L N E SBIT T / CR O SSR O ADS T H IS W E E K Firefighters of the Shoal Lake Emergency Response Team were summoned to a fire at Blades Pizzaria at 402 Station Road in Shoal Lake early in the morning of Tuesday, June 16. Fire Chief Alex Menzies stated the structure was fully engulfed upon arrival, prompting a mutual aid call to Strathclair and Hamiota. Firefighters were on scene throughout the day Tuesday checking for hot spots within the building, which was built in 1949.
Gra d sea son kicks off a cross P W SD RAC HEAL FLIN TO FT Cro ssro a d s This W e e k
It is once again grad season, and over the next two weeks gymnasiums and community halls across the Park West School Division (PWSD) will fill with families, decorations, and a few nervous speeches as the Class of 2026 crosses the stage. At Hamiota Collegiate (HCI), this year’s ceremony carries some
extra meaning for Principal Beccy Ardiel-Voth. It will be her first time hosting grad inside the school itself. Last year’s class was large enough that the ceremony had to move to the local rink, she said. This year’s group of 20 students, 19 of whom plan to take part, will fit comfortably in the HCI gym on Tuesday, June 23 at 1:00 p.m., with Kaylie Whelpton serving as grad advisor. A grand march and community parade through Hamiota
will follow. “The staff of HCI are very proud of our graduates and wish them the best of luck in their plans for the future. High school grad is a special milestone and there are many family members, friends, and community members who are very proud of the class of 2026,” ArdielVoth said. Birtle Collegiate’s (BCI) ceremony also falls on June 23, starting at 1:30 p.m. Twenty students will
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graduate, with principal Stacie Stonehouse doing double duty as MC. She said BCI takes its time with each grad, building a moment around who they are and what they’ve meant to the school. “Our ceremony acknowledges each student individually with their awards, etc. for the audience to get an essence of who they are and what they have meant to our school community. I believe this is unique to our building,” Stone-
house said. “We are incredibly proud of this group of graduates. We have students that excel in all different areas from academics, to apprenticeship, extracurricular, social justice – the list is endless. We are excited to watch them move onto their next chapter whether that is to work, continue in apprenticeship, or post-secondary. Congrats kids!”
SEE CE L E BR AT IN G , PAGE 2