Diverse group graduates from local high school

Wes Gilbertson
Summer Reporter

Tamara Gibbins is off to study at Cambrian College in Sudbury.
Giselle Bonot has already claimed her seat at Thunder Bay’s Lakehead University.
And the next time valedictorian Kyle Kuzyk writes a quiz or turns in an assignment, he’ll do so as a first-year pharmacy major at the University of Manitoba, where Jamie Hall and Jamie Vandenbrand are enrolled as well.
Jocelyn Gosselin picked Niagara College, Stacey Olson and Allison Wolanicki chose Red River College and a half dozen of them are signed up for courses at Confederation College.
Others still are set to join the workforce and some have a few high school classes left to be completed. A handful of them haven’t quite decided their next move.
But one thing is certain – the 32 students that make up Rainy River High’s Class of 2005 will soon be headed in a variety of directions. That in mind, it seemed only fitting that last week’s graduation ceremony – likely the last time the teens would be united as a group – served as both a look back as well as a look ahead.
Principal Bob McGreevy told the enthusiastic group of graduates to cherish the friendships they forged at RRHS, but he also encouraged the students to make the most of their next step, making new friends and gaining new experiences.
“As you move forward, more and more of your learning will come outside the classroom,” McGreevy said with a grin. “You’re ready to enter the school of life.”
And the affable principal assured them they have all the tools necessary to find success in the “real world.”
“Your journey of self-discovery has created a strong foundation on which you will be able to continue to achieve successes – both large and small,” he said. “You will need to be resourceful, diligent, hardworking and creative, but you should be confident that your time spent at Rainy River High School has given you the skills and knowledge to succeed in whatever path you choose to follow.”
“Your education, beliefs, values and social skills will provide a vehicle to carry you to your destinations,” he added. “You may make the occasional wrong turn, but I’m confident that you will find the way back to your chosen path.”
When his turn came, Kuzyk brought bright smiles to the faces of all of the graduates and the many proud parents, siblings, and other relatives and friends packed into the muggy high school gym for last Wednesday’s ceremony.
Kuzyk compared the class’ maturation process to learning how to swim – progressing from the kiddie pool (Grade 9) to the marina dock (Grade 12), or “big dock,” as he affectionately referred to it.
“We have come to the point where the big dock is too small and we need other bodies of water to explore,” Kuzyk enthused, urging each of his peers to make the most of the years ahead of them.
“Each one of us has the ability to make a big splash,” he said. “As we leave Rainy River High School today, let’s remember no matter what we do, we are all strong swimmers.”
School council chair Mike Neilson and students’ council president Jay Neilson also stepped up to the microphone at the graduation ceremony to congratulate the students on their accomplishment. A pair of videos were also shown. Also at the Wednesday evening ceremony, Bonot, Nicole Burner and Hall were recognized as Ontario Scholars, an honour bestowed upon any graduating student who finishes with an average of at least 80 per cent in their top six Grade 12 courses.