Sky’s the limit for Haliburton Red Hawks
| By Mark Arike - Staff Writer | July 6, 2017 |
This year’s Haliburton Highlands Secondary School graduating class was encouraged to face their obstacles head on and dream big.
“Forging ahead makes the bad days easier and the good days brighter,” said principal Dan Marsden during the commencement and awards ceremony on June 29 in the gymnasium.
Marsden quoted popular songs as he told this year’s 113 Grade 12 graduates to take control of their lives and “live by choice, not by chance.”
“All of you will make the world better,” he said.
Dave Waito, vice principal and master of ceremonies, described the event as a rite of passage for graduates.
“This symbolism of this walk [across the stage] is important,” said Waito.
This year’s valedictorian, Victoria Archibald, asked fellow graduates to make a difference by volunteering to better the lives of others.
“I hope we can all realize that we can receive so much joy, happiness and fulfillment through donation,” said Archibald.
“Everything we do throughout our lives can have a domino effect on those around us.”
Outside of the classroom, Archibald has volunteered at Medeba Adventure Learning Centre and is an active member of her church. She has completed two mission trips to South America to repair wells.
New this year was the presentation of scholarships, which used to take place during the fall. More than $17,800 in graduate scholarships were presented and another $27,000 in bursaries will be mailed out to successful applicants. Other graduate awards, totalling $4,700, will be handed out during a school assembly in the fall.
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MARK ARIKE is a reporter for The Highlander. |
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