Class of 2019 celebrates Graduation from St. Thomas Aquinas
Another school year has come and gone and that means it was time for the Grade 12 students to make their way across the stage last night at St. Thomas Aquinas High School as they proudly moved their tassels to the other side of their graduation caps.
"Today, a new branch of your journey awaits you," said Principal Victoria Swejda during her address to the grads. "Some of you will enter the workforce as employees and apprentices while others will continue your 
schooling at college, university or here at St. Thomas Aquinas. You may again feel a little bit afraid and a whole lot excited or the other way around about your future like you did 14 years ago, but my wish for you is that you feel the same wonder at the possibilities that lay ahead like you did on that first day of school and that you experience the love, peace and grace that a faith-filled life can bring."
The gymnasium was filled with family and friends as 88 students graduated from STAHS. Member of Parliament for the Kenora Riding, Bob Nault, was on hand to address the Class of 2019, as well as Director of Education Derek Haime.
"I am humbled to have served you, albeit briefly, in the role of Director of Education. Know that you are always welcome here. Thank you for leaving this place a better place than you found it. We look forward to hearing all about how you use your gifts to make this world better for everyone. May God continue to bless and keep you all," said Haime.
Overall more than $45,000 in scholarships was handed out as well as a number of prestigious awards. This year's winner of the Director's Awards of Excellence in Academics, Athletics and the Arts was Ben Viinikka.
"I was really surprised and I'm very grateful," said Viinikka. "There are a lot of amazing teachers helping us and they really prepare us for what's next."
Viinikka plans to come back for one more semester before moving on to university or possibly traveling before more school.
This year's Valedictorian was Dominique Novelli, who's speech had many people smiling and laughing.
"We've had a lot of fun over the years. I think we've ruined the elementary school experience for every child for decades to come by getting all of the fun activities banned before we left. (Grounders, mini sticks, football, Pokémon cards, snow jumps). Seriously… how has any kid had any fun in the aftermath of us," he said during his speech. "But in all seriousness, the special and unique quality about our class is that we've grown up in a close community with one another. Each and every one of us has had the privilege to grow and share our God-given gifts together."
After the graduation ceremony students loaded onto the buses and traveled to the Kenora Rec Centre for Safe Grad.
Awards of Distinction:
FNMI AWARD OF ACHIEVEMENT -- Nodin Carlson and Mariah White
SISTER ANNE LIVING ENGLISH AWARD -- Cambrya Swejda
FRENCH IMMERSION POUR EXCELLENCE EN FRANCAIS -- Madeleine Graham
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER AWARD --Daniel Kurtz
CATHOLIC STUDENT AWARD-- Cambrya Swejda
DIRECTOR'S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN ACADEMICS, ATHLETICS AND THE ARTS -- Ben Viinikka
PRINCIPAL'S AWARD Male - John Lee Female - Avery Kasprick
PRINCIPAL'S ACADEMIC MEDALS; Bronze- Madeleine Graham Silver-Olivia Ura Gold- Matthew Camire
JAMES DAVIDSON AWARD OF MERIT -- Matthew Camire
GOVERNOR GENERAL'S ACADEMIC MEDAL -- Olivia Ura
STUDENT TRUSTEE -- Dominique Novelli
SUZANNE GAUDRY MEMORIAL AWARD -- Madeleine Graham
KNIGHTS OFCOLUMBUS CHRISTIAN ATTITUDE AWARD(S)- Antonio Caruso- Lucian Mandamin- Nodin Carlson- Lena Ellice- Danial McNeil- Aidan Shumka- Sarah From- Mariah White- Chelsea Henderson- John Lee
STUDENT COUNCIL PROFICIENCY AWARD -- Cambrya Swejda
RON MAGNUSSEN MEMORIAL AWARD -MOST IMPROVED STUDENT --Summer Gauthier
CATHOLIC GRADUATE EXPECTATIONS AWARD- A discerning Believer/Love -- Dominique Novelli
An Effective Communicator/Respect -- Parker Stevenson
A Reflective, creative and holistic thinker/Truth -- Terrell Mandamin
A self-directed,responsible lifelong learner/ Honesty -- Olivia Ura
A collaborative contributor/ Humility -- Daniel Kurtz
A caring family member/ Bravery -- Cambrya Swejda
A responsible citizen/Wisdom -- OliviaFriesen-Kroeker
Forgiveness -- Dorothea Assin
Subject Awards:
Business Leadership -- Chelsea Henderson
Mathematics - University -- Matthew Camire, Chelsea Henderson
Mathematics - Workplace -- Dorothea Assin
Mathematics - College -- Ashley Lindsay
Biology - University -- Olivia Friesen Kroeker, Madeleine Graham, Elise Hummelbrunner, Paige Stevenson, Olivia Ura
Chemistry - University-- Matthew Camire, Olivia Ura
Physics - University -- Matthew Camire
Physics - College -- Daniel Kurtz
Construction - College -- Douglas Kardal
Technological Design -- Douglas Kardal
Communications -- Joseph Morrison
T-Joints Welding -- Jason Lafreniere
Dual Credit Construction -- Mason McEwan
Dual Credit -- Dakota Cameron
Co-op -- Paige Stevenson
Canadian and World Issues -- Erica Burgess
Law -- Allyson Manzie
Religion -University/College -- Paige Stevenson, Madeleine Graham
Religion - Open -- Danial McNeill
Families in a Diverse Society -- Cambrya Swejda, Allyson Manzie
Equity and Social Justice -- Erica Burgess
Philosophy -- Matthew Camire
Physical Education -- Brett Riehl
Exercise Science -- Brett Riehl
Outdoor Education -- Danial McNeill
Visual Arts -- Antonio Caruso
Film & Video -- Avery Bond
Aboriginal Art -University/College -- Alissa Rampanen
Painting & Drawing-Murals -- Mariah White
English - University -- Madeleine Graham
English - College -- Brayden Jackson, Erica Burgess
English - Writer's Craft -University -- Cambrya Swejda
English - Writer's Craft -College -- Bryson McDonald
Literacy Course -- Mariah White
Francais- University -- Olivia Friesen-Kroeker
French Immersion Pour Excellence En Francais -- Madeleine Graham
Native Language -- Mariah White
Journalism -- Cambrya Swejda
Music -- Olivia Ura
Music - Percussion -- John Lee
Music- Guitar -- Brayden Jackson, Daniel Kurtz
List of Graduates (Last name alphabetical order);
Alcock, Beth Ann
Allan, Nathaniel David
Assin, Dorothea Siobhan Nichelle
Beaucage Edison, Sha-lyn Elizabeth Ann
Bechard, Chantal Marie
Bell, Lillian Rosemary
Bender, Tristan Joshua
Bennett, Monica Taylor
Blackwood, Tyler Duane Forest
Bond, Avery Kathleen
Bourgeois, Jordan Lynn
Brown, Jordan Nicholas
Burgess, Erica Suzanne
Burt, Dawson Nicholas
Bush, Jacob Joseph
Button, Jaxon William
Cameron, Dakota Charles Frederick
Camire, Matthew William
Carganillo, Aaron
Carlson, Nodin Patrick
Caruso, Antonio
Cherry, Terrance Jacob
Demers, T'Motei James Patrick
Derouard, Sarah Jean Winnifred
Desanghere, Benjamin Ronald
Dufresne, Leia Dawn
Ellice, Lena Ruth
Everson-Corriveau, John William
Favell, Jaden Christopher
Ferguson, Nicholas Johnathan Jeffery
Ficek, Rebekah Rayne Primrose
Frankcom, Jacob Thomas
Friesen-Kroeker, Olivia Grace
From, Sarah Anne Margaret
Gauthier, Summer Kristie Leona
Goodsky, Mahengun Daniel Jr.
Grafham, Averie Isabella
Graham, Madeleine May
Hanson-Munn, Rayleh Irene
Harasemchuk, Spencer Emilee
Hayton, Elliott Norman Thomas
Henderson, Lyla Chelsea
Henley, Christina Ray-Lynn
Herr, Jamie Brooke
Holmstrom-Indian, Karson Ty
Hummelbrunner, Elise Anne
Illman, Alexandra Elizabeth Mary
Jackson, Brayden Jason Lee
Kardal, Douglas Arnold Michael
Kasprick, Avery Heather
Kurtz, Daniel Thomas Joseph
Lachinette, Emily Agnes
Lafreniere, Jason Richard
Lee, John
Lentz, Connor Cole
Lindsay, Ashley Rae
MacDougall, Rheanna Jessica
Mandamin, Lucian Jurell
Mandamin, Terrell James
Manzie, Allyson Georgia
McDonald, Bryson Wyatt
McEwan, Mason Andrew
McNeill, Danial Andrew
Morrison, Joseph Ernest
Neniska, Logan Charles
Novelli, Dominique Enzo David
Pahpasay, Tyler Reese
Palmer, Kate Lynn
Parnell, John Phillip
Pellerin, Michel
Rampanen, Alissa Leigh
Read, Hannah Rae-Lyn
Riehl, Brett Allen
Seymour, Maximos Makwa
Shumka, Adam Michael
Shumka, Aidan Marcus
Smilski, Mason Matthew
St. Germain, Jordan Reese
Stevenson, Paige Hannah
Stevenson, Parker James
Stoliker, Alyson Delaney
Swejda, Cambrya Fayth
Turner, Maren Ruth
Ura, Olivia Lemay
Viinikka, Benjamin Sveinn
White, Mariah Shaylen
Yaremko, Hannah Frances Sophie
Zdrill, Victoria Irene