Graduation 2017

Class of 2017

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Elkford Secondary Class of 2017 Elkford Secondary Graduation

Elkford Secondary School Principal’s Message

W

armest congratulations to you on your outstanding achievement as members of the Graduating Class of 2017. For many of you graduation seemed like a distant dream when you first began your journey here at ESS. Through your own resolve, your commitment to personal growth, and the support of your teachers, families and friends, you have completed this part of your journey.

As you move on, ensure that you are ready to take advantage of the opportunities that do arise. The future is an amazing place. Your success is not guaranteed by being a graduate.

The changing world offers you many opportunities and some difficult challenges. Follow your passion, but when you are determined you will be able to handle anything that comes your way. Allow yourself to engage and hone your newly developed critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Whatever path you may choose, stay positive on the promise of a brighter tomorrow.

GRADS!! On behalf of all the ESS staff, Erin Hay our vice principal and myself, we extend sincere congratulations to you, the class of 2017. ~ Doug Bolander Principal, Elkford Secondary School

Dana Barclay

Sarah Bohn

Gage Desteur

Jenna Diederich

Kira Gamache

Artur Gergely

Alex Gruber

Jacey Hargreaves

ConGRRRRatulations!

Best wishes to the graduating class of 2017

from the Mayor, Council and Staff at the District of Elkford.

The Free Press

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Thursday, June 15, 2017 Page C3

Elkford Secondary Graduation Elkford Secondary Class of 2017

Jaelum Held

Triston Hooper

Dakota Ingham

Kyle Klippenstein

Keely Paton

Jake Rogers

Trey Traverse

Erica Vogt

Keelan Watson

Brittany Williams

Brandon Wilson

Celebrate, stay safe and enjoy yourself. You’ve earned it!

Congratulations and best wishes to all the graduates!

12 Water Street P.O. Box 36 Elkford, BC V0B 1H0

Sparwood - 743 Douglas Fir

250-425-6535

Elkford - 1 Front Street

250-865-4622

Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm Phone: 250-865-2223 Fax: 250-865-7515 Website: www.usw7884.com

Local 7884

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Well Done Grads!

Fernie Secondary Graduation 2017 Graduates of 2017...

2017

Best of luck, and best wishes from Dr. Soetaert & staff at the

Leroux Clinic

www.thefreepress.ca

Box 1648 1301 Railway Avenue, Fernie V0B 1M0

All the best in your future endeavours!!

1650 Railway Ave, Fernie www.ferniereadymix.ca ph: (250) 423-6174 fax: (250) 423-6251

250.423.3416 Fax: 250.423.3517 tjsautobody@shawcable.com

Monday – Friday, 7 am – 5 pm

Fernie Ready Mix is a division of Interoute Construction Ltd.

Fernie Secondary School

Principal’s Message

Valedictorian’s Message

O

n behalf of Fernie Secondary School, staff and students, I wish to extend my congratulations to the Class of 2017.

The Class of 2017 entered Fernie Secondary School as a young group of children looking somewhat overwhelmed.

These past years, I have seen the graduates work exceptionally hard to make the best of themselves. They have persevered and worked towards their goals in a determined way. They arrive at graduation as a skilled and valuable group ready to tackle the next set of education, career and employment challenges.

It is my hope, graduates that you recognize the community, family, friends and teachers that have helped you reach this milestone. As you move forward, treasure the memories you have made and value the experiences you will make. We challenge you to continue with your journey of learning and growth.

Thank you to the Class of 2017 for your leadership and contributions to the Fernie Secondary Community.

You have made us proud. Congratulations to Fynley Kuijt, FSS Class of 2017 Valedictorian.

Fernie Secondary Commencement Ceremony will be held on Friday June 30, 2017 at 2:00 pm in the Fernie Memorial Arena. We will be celebrating the accomplishments of our students as well as publicly recognizing the generosity of our local community members who provide bursaries and scholarships for the betterment of our youth. We invite all to our celebration.

Good Luck in the future, Graduates. Have a Safe and Fun Graduation! ~ Linda Christenson

D

o you remember how it felt, walking into FSS as a new student six years ago? Everything seemed so massive, imposing and unfamiliar, especially the teachers and the other students. Today, none of that even crosses our minds. We know every teacher in the school, have built friendships with many of those same students we were scared to talk to at first and FSS no longer seems so massive now that we can touch the top shelf in our lockers. We have come so far from grade seven, when we hugged the edges of the hallways from class to class. Now, we walk those hallways with all the confidence in the world. High school doesn’t last forever, but the lessons you learn and the memories you make affect you for a lifetime. I can’t imagine a better group of people to grow up with. It was full of laughter, last minute studying in the hallway, stress, weeks with more tests than there are days, freezing classrooms, boiling classrooms, and bus trips. Together, we have seen each other through some of the most challenging, stressful, and memorable moments of high school and I am honoured to represent such an amazing group of people as Valedictorian.

Best of luck, wherever your dreams may take you! ~ Fynley Kuijt

Congratulations Grads!

We wish you the best of luck on your road to success.

Where Quality & Service Meet Without Compromise 6165 Brenners Road, Fernie - 250-423-9211 641 Sparwood Drive, Sparwood - 778-518-5006 15 Bear Paw Crescent, Elkford - 778-519-0025

The Free Press

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Thursday, June 15, 2017 Page C5

Fernie Secondary Graduation 2017

Dameeka Abrahamsen

Seth Amundsen

Hunter Bezak

Clay Birch

Matthew Buchan

Liam Bush

Greyson Carr

Lania Cook

Sarah Croteau

Taitum Doering

Brianna Durham

Charlie Durham

s n o i t a l Congratu

!

S E T A U D GRA YOU F O D U O R P WE ARE

From all the staff at

792 2nd Ave., Fernie 250-423-4607

Cameron Prest

Hayley Kons

Jarrod Elliott

Colton Hutchinson

792 2 Ave, Fernie, BC • 250-423-4607

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Fernie Secondary Graduation 2017

Megan Durham

Megan Gigliotti

Kara Goodman

Celeste Hart

Robyn Howard

Colton Hutchinson

Ethan Ingham

Shaylyn Johnson

Mekaela Kallies

Taryn Kelly

Haylie Kons

Fynley Kuijt

Bailey Labelle

Will Le Moine

Aiden Levesque

Brea Malmas

Kirsten Mcleod,

Sonia Mende

Hannah Morris

Micah Morris

Taylor Moulton

Kaleb Neufeld

Narnia Organ

Juliana Pater

Congratulations to all the graduates on your accomplishments!

Best wishes for your continued success.

Alexandra Stephenson

Sparwood, B.C.

The Free Press

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Thursday, June 15, 2017 Page C7

Fernie Secondary Graduation 2017

Jessica Payne

Andre Pelletier

Blake Plummer

Austin Poirier

Pierce Potyok

Morgan Price

Daniel Reay

Michael Reay

Elyse Richmond

Dylan Roesch

Lisa Ross

Garrett Salanski

Owen Salanski

Damon Scheller

Ryan Sieler

Owen Smith

Alexander Soukoroff

Donovan Starr

Jodi Stemberger

Alexandra Stephenson

Missing: Savanna Goossens Sydney Morgan

Alise Ungaro

Dylan Waligorski

Congratulations 2017 Elk Valley Grads Best of luck for the future.

Pizza and wings – the perfect grad party food!

1221 7th Avenue, Hwy 3 Unit B Fernie, BC 250-423-4231 www.ferniepizzaandpasta.ca

Josh Yost

Best wishes to the graduating class of 2017!

For “ALL” Your Technology Needs www.isosceles.ca

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Sparwood Secondary Graduation 2017

Sparwood Secondary School

Principal’s Message

I

t seems like we were just starting the year and here we are getting ready to celebrate Sparwood Secondary School’s class of 2017 Commencement. The Grad Banquet took place in the Sparwood Leisure Center Curling Rink on May 26, and The Class of 2017 Commencement Ceremony took place May 27, also in the Sparwood Leisure Center Curling Rink.

Congratulations to Noah Devine, who will represent the SSS Class of 2107 as Valedictorian!

The class of 2017 is a versatile group of students. They are athletically inclined, they are academically inclined, and they are artistically inclined. At Sparwood Secondary we believe in lifelong learning, and every year our graduation class leaves with the knowledge that they have not only graduated but they are prepared to deal with change in this ever changing world. Class of 2017 you have made us proud.

Your future experiences will be filled new choices, but I ask you to remember your roots.

Be proud of where you came from. Keep the memory of your graduation ceremony with you always.

On behalf of the administration and staff of Sparwood Secondary School, as well as, all the other teachers (both Elementary and Secondary) who have contributed to your education, I would like to offer the Sparwood Secondary Class of 2017 our congratulations!

REMEMBER PLEASE HAVE A HAPPY AND SAFE GRADUATION!! ~ Frank Sopko

Kevin Arend

Winston Blair

Bradley Bodie

Tyler Bruce

Bailee Casselman

Congratulations Grads!

FERNIE 250-423-4467 BLAIRMORE 403-562-7144 ELKFORD 250-865-2022

Congratulations Class of 2017 The District of Sparwood wishes you success in your future endeavours!

Kyle Chatterson

The Free Press

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Thursday, June 15, 2017 Page C9

Sparwood Secondary Graduation 2017

Malorie Demers

Nick Demers

Ariel Devine

Noah Devine

Jessica Dowling

Kyle Egan

Jarrod Elliott

Olivia English

Rayne French

Joey Godin-Rusnak

Cassie Goulet

Zachary Halko

William Hesketh

Odessa Huzina

Markie Klafki

Paige Laidlaw

Amanda Liebe

Kiara Lindley

Ethan Lukkar

Kiana Matatall

Joshua Matt

Austin Molley

Emily Moses

Rylee Olden

Sparwood Dental Clinic

We are so proud of you, Grads!

250-425-7772 Sparwood BC

139 Centennial Square, Sparwood 250-425-7081 | Toll Free1-877-325-7081 www.sparwooddental.com

Garrett Ready Mix is a division of Interoute Construction Ltd.

Congratulations to all the hardworking graduates in the Elk Valley!

From the staff at the Sparwood Public Library

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The Free Press

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Sparwood Secondary Graduation 2017 Keep On

Growing

Now that you’ve graduated, the next level awaits! You’ll reach great heights of success, as you start this exciting new chapter in your life.

Best Wishes & Congratulations to All Our Elk Valley Graduates!

Jaden Olinyk

Nikita Paskiewich

Caterina Payette

Congratulations to the graduates of 2017!

YOU ARE ONLY ONE DE C I S I ON AWAY FROM A TOTAL LY DIF F E RE NT L I F E -U N KN OWN

cotr.ca

Dominic Plourde

Cameron Prest

Tristan Randell

Frederick Riedel

Tianna Schacker

Jessica Smith

Jaden Staples

Levi Strom

Hayden Syrja

Jared Thompson

Stephan White

Darren Wittfoth

Wyatt Wyld

Congratulations to our grads!

Sparwood - 2-101 Red Cedar Dr. 250-425-6489

Nick Demers

Eric Riedel

Malorie Demers

Zachary Halko

Jessica Dowling

The Free Press

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Thursday, June 15, 2017 Page C11

The Fernie Academy Graduation 2017

BEST WISHES!

Congratulations to all of our Elk Valley Graduates!

Best Wishes for All Your Future Endeavours ~ 2017 Grads ~

from the Doctors and staff of

Sparling EaSt MEdical cEntrE

Downtown Fernie www.givershirts.com

Here’s hoping your graduation day exceeds your greatest expectations! May all of your hopes and dreams come true.

Dr. Jensen, Drs. Kahane Dr. Peach & Staff 292 - 2nd Ave Fernie (250) 423-6838 dentist@kahane.ca www.kahane.ca

The Fernie Academy Head of School Message

I

n celebrating the conclusion of our 15th school year, we recognize the accomplishments of our seventh graduating class! Together they have learned, travelled and grown as they made their way to this important day as a supportive group of classmates and friends.

As a unit, we continue to prepare our graduates for the future and encourage lifelong learning by asking our community of students, their families and our teachers to work together. We have built a strong liberal educational experience emphasizing academics, athletics and arts – most of our busy graduates leave us with over 150 credits, exceeding the 80 required by the Ministry of Education. Academy students are challenged to learn and develop in venues beyond their regular classroom through public speaking, science fairs, debates of topical issues, international travel, local field trips and community involvement, athletic competitions, school plays, international academic competitions, volunteering and raising awareness about those less fortunate.

Our determined team of staff are committed to the complete education of every student. Their care and attention has laid the foundation for the future success of our graduates. I would like to thank and recognize all members of our team for their hard work and dedication to each individual student.

As our graduates approach the close of their time at the Academy, we trust that they have had the opportunity to gain the tools necessary to be confident and prepared to succeed in their chosen fields.

I wish all the graduates of 2017, a happy, healthy and prosperous future.

Valedictorian’s Message

T

hirteen years ago I started Kindergarten at The Fernie Academy. TFA has been my home for the majority of my life and the thought of not coming back next year is daunting. I call the Academy home for many reasons, one of them being the teachers and staff. Instead of just teaching the students here school subjects, they are extremely invested in making sure we are successful in whatever we choose to do. I would like to thank all the teachers for supporting us in all of our endeavours and caring about each and every one of their students.

However, it is really my class that makes TFA family. We have been through challenging circumstances and amazing adventures from Peru to Paris, and many, many school competitions. All of these individuals combined together creates a great combination, one that I would call a family. While I am sad that we will all be moving on to different things next year, I know that I will always have my classmates whenever I need them. So thank you to The Fernie Academy for giving me a family that I will be forever grateful for and for giving all of us the foundation from which we can launch our individual aspirations.

~ Sophia Loewen

~ Jocelyn Sombrowski

TFA Mission Statement: Through active learning experiences, in partnership with the family and community, each student is encouraged to achieve their full potential in academics, arts and athletics.

Wishing all graduates happiness and success in the future!

Fernie Mountain Lodge Each Best Western hotel is independently owned and operated

Western FINANCIAL GROUP

1622-7th Avenue, Fernie BC 250-423-5500 • Toll Free: 1-866-423-5566 www.bestwesternfernie.com

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The Fernie Academy Graduation 2017

See the Possibilities Congratulations to the Class of 2017

Robert Angus

Liam Cote

Donovan Gostick

Sophia Loewen

Cheyenne Marriott

Anthony Milligan

Taylor Moulton

Zac Watson

Congratulations to all the Graduates!

EDUCATION IS THE KEY TO YOUR FUTURE.

The Free Press

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Thursday, June 15, 2017 Page C13

Graduation 2017

YOUR ONE STOP SHOP for all your grads needs!

Ann’s Independent would like to congratulate the graduating class of 2017 and our grads for their achievements.

We wish them all the best!

f o s s a l C 017 2 kes a c m o t s Cu rder o o t e l b a l avai in store From cards, to flowers and of course for pre-booking your party platters - WE DO IT ALL!

Caterina Payette

Olivia English

Winston Blair

Stephan White

Ethan Lukkar

Tristan Randell

Meghan Durham

Bailey Labelle

Kirsten Mcleod

Owen Smith

Call us to place your PLATTER ORDER!

250-423-7387

OPEN: Sunday - Saturday • 7am - 10pm HIGHWAY 3, FERNIE

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Graduation 2017

Sparwood Secondary

2016

2016

2016 The Fernie Academy

2016

Past Graduations Fernie Secondary

2016

2016

2016 2016

2016

Elkford Secondary

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The Free Press

Thursday, June 15, 2017 Page C15

Graduation 2017

Honouring Our Graduates

At this exciting time, we’d like to offer our congratulations to all of this year’s hardworking graduates. We hope you are as proud of yourselves as we are of you.

Good luck & best wishes to the Class of 2017!

From all of us at

The Free Press

Page C16 Thursday, June 15, 2017

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Graduation 2017

Congratulations to the grads of 2017!

We know how hard you worked to reach graduation day, and now it’s time to celebrate your accomplishments.

Please, celebrate safely!

A message from your teachers, members of the Fernie District Teachers’ Association