BARRY’S BAY – A total of 76 students, decked out in their graduation stoles and hats, gathered at Madawaska Valley District High School to say goodbye and reflect on their high school years.
Hundreds of family members and friends packed into the school’s auditorium on June 25 to take part in the Class of 2015 graduation ceremonies.
Hannah Dombroskie read the beatitudes, in memory of Ann Marie Bloskie.
Afterwards, Renfrew County District School Board trustee David Kaiser was invited to share some words with the graduated.
“These graduates are the future architects of our society,” he began.
Kaiser asked graduate Theresa Peplinskie to stand up for some recognition. Paplinskie was the elected student trustee representative for the Renfrew County District School Board this year.
“You ask great questions and you are a great listener,” he said to Paplinskie. “I know it is not politically-correct to say this, but I can say Theresa was the most outstanding student trustee representative we had at the board since the inception of the student trustee model.”
As a trustee, Kaiser said he has been to many graduation ceremonies around the region.
“I have to say, year after year, the MV grad stands out for me,” he said. “I believe it’s because of the way this school feels like a community on its own.”
He credited the students for creating that community spirit, and touched on the upcoming renovations to MVDHS to accommodate Sherwood Public School.
Get your July 1, 2015 edition of The Valley Gazette to read the full story.