GRADS OF
2016 Excerpt from the 2016 Graduating Cermony Good Evening. On behalf of the School District and the Ministry of Education I would like to welcome you to this year’s graduation ceremony and thank everyone for being here on this very special occasion. I would also like to start with what is most important and that is passing on our congratulations to the graduates of 2016. Graduates I have had the opportunity to speak twice already to students who were crossing the stage this year and as per usual I reflected back and connected something memorable to a piece of advice that I could pass on. The first comments were focused on diversity, human rights and inclusion. In summary the message stated that you are unique and deserve respect and dignity. The second speech highlighted the two common laws of achievement. Law one is that there will always be obstacles. Law two is that those who problem solve and find solutions will achieve. In summary you must choose to face and overcome barriers in order to be successful. I considered repeating either one of those speeches; however, it didn’t feel right. Instead what comes to mind for you tonight is the impact many of you had when you put on your gowns and toured the Elementary Schools. I only had an opportunity to be at one of the schools, but I heard children cheering, I saw adults crying and it struck me to the importance of tonight’s event. It also reminded me of how much influence each of you can have on your journey going forward. Over 750 elementary students shared your success on Thursday and I know many were inspired. I have no doubt that all will remember you in your gowns, high fiving them down the hallway. On behalf of the District and the Ministry of Education I would like to congratulate you and I would also like to thank you for already making a difference in some young people’s lives. We are very proud of each one of you and we wish you all the best. Congratulations. Stephen McNiven Superintendent of Schools School District No.58 (Nicola-Similkameen)
CONGRATULATIONS CONGRATULAT CONGRA CON NGRATU ION NS T TO T THE HE G GRAD RAD
F 2016 016 6
You Finally Made It! Here’s to a bright future ahead. From Merritt City Council and Staff
www.merritt.ca
B2 • THURSDAY,
GRAD 2016
June 30, 2016
Alexander, Dana
Anderson, Brody
Bansi, Sahil
Beatty-Smith, Pay
Bennett, Haley
Bent, Zena
Beswick-Butler, Shaylyn
Bhander, Manjot
Bienvenu, Karson
Broderick, Thomas
Burnham, Chloe
Campbell, Damien
Catenza Cyrene, Jonah
Chastko, Kris
Collins, Jayden
Collins, Wyatt
Colter-Jones, David
Costa, Tainah
Crick, Brad
Danielson, Elwin
Deane, Cameron
Dumais, William
Eaton, Wyatt
Evdokimoff, Ashley
Eves, Cassandra
Foster, Raistlin
French, Jasmine
French, Megan
Garcia, Teresa
Griep, Adrianna
Highland Valley Copper Partners in the Community
Take a moment to honor this important milestone in your life. An abundance of opportunities awaits and it is time to embrace your future. Congratulations to the Merritt Secondary Graduating Class of 2016
Grad 2016
Congratulations Jenna! Good Luck in your future adventures!
We are so proud of you
Love Mom, Dad, Avery & Owen
Jackson’s Welding would like to congratulate all of the
Grads of 2016! Good luck on all of your future endeavours!
Jackson’s Welding 1750 Hill Street, Merritt 250-378-4332
CONGRATULATIONS
RENÉE! We wish you the best of luck,
Congratulations to the 2016 graduating class AND SPECIAL CONGRATS TO GABRIELE ZABEK AND ERIN THOMSEN FOR WINNING TOLKO’S BURSARIES TO FURTHER THEIR EDUCATION.
Kelley & Dan
250-378-5217
#120 1700 Garcia St. Railyard Mall
1750 Lindley Creek Rd., Merritt
250-378-2224
THURSDAY, June 30, 2016 • B3
GRAD 2016
2016 Valedictorian speech While the dictionary has a set definition for success, I believe that success has a different meaning for everyone. Success does have some common underpinnings attached to it, such as working hard towards something and achieving it, but each of us will now be working towards something different. help make you successful. Good judgement, however, is clearly the result of the second piece, which is “experience.” Only through experience and gaining some appreciation for the world’s idiosyncrasies can we consistently make those “good judgements” required for success. What so many of us seem to forget though, is that “experience” is often the result of the third and final piece of the puzzle: “bad judgement.” When you make your errors, learn from them. Always remember that there is no shame in making mistakes. The only shame comes from refusing to learn from them. Now that we are graduating and beginning this next part of life’s journey, the reality is that we are going to make many mistakes. There is no “save” and no “reload” when it comes to real life. So accept your mistakes and ensure that you benefit from them. Because, in many ways, each of us is now on our own. But, we shouldn’t be too frightened by this idea, for this is also our chance to explore the world and grow as individuals. To the grads of 2016 I say take risks and don’t be afraid of failure. Life is full of second chances; we just have to be willing and courageous enough to take them. To paraphrase Shakespeare, “The world is our oyster.” It means that we can achieve anything because we have the ability to do so. But I would rather look at it as
if we are the oysters. If we look at success as the pearl we wish to create, then it is up to us to work for it, to grind it out, to create it. The world will, no doubt, have its obstacles and challenges for us, but if we are determined, willing to work with others and to learn from our mistakes, we can and will overcome them. Just remember that pearls are not made overnight. I recently partook in the Merritt Country Fun-Run. The last stretch travels along the river walk and I noticed that on the ground volunteers had written various inspirational sayings such as “keep going,” “almost there” and “don’t stop.” As I was running and thinking about grad, I realized that I wasn’t just running towards the finish line, I was running towards the next chapter of my life. We can look at the past thirteen years of school as a run, with kindergarten at the starting line and graduation at the finish. We had a strong start that shifted into a comfortable midstride and now we are pushing ourselves across the finish line. The road has been long but, in many ways, it has gone by so quickly. I encourage every graduate to never stop running the next race to your own success. Use today and this feeling of accomplishment as a reminder to never slow down, to approach each challenge with confidence and to have the courage to learn from each stumble.
Grads of 2016, this particular finish line – high school graduation - has arrived. The road to a successful life lies just beyond. Our families, friends, teachers, mentors and coaches have pushed, pulled and carried us this far, and now it is up to each of us to make our own way in this world. Please, sometime tonight, take a moment to sincerely thank those around you today who have helped bring this momentous journey to such a worthy conclusion. And, in the future, never underestimate your ability to make the essential changes in your own life to help you achieve your personal success. It is up to you. I wish each and every one of you a very long and successful life. Congratulations! ~Gabby Zabek, Valedictorian
Congratulations Keneesha Joe, Colton Sterling-Moses & Wyatt Collins Wishing you a lifetime of happiness!
Love from your family
Home
hardware
building centre 1701 Voght St., Merritt, B.C. www.merritt homehardware.ca
Pauline Jung
Haley Bennett
Keneesha Joe
Colton Sterling-Moses
Wyatt Collins
Congratulations to our Home Hardware team: Pauline Jung, Haley Bennett and Brendan Curnow your hard work and dedication has paid off.
2016
infants we all achieved the goal of standing up and taking our first steps through trial and error. Since then, many more goals have been set for us, and we have each been working towards them and achieving them one by one. Now, after thirteen years of academia and socialization, we can congratulate ourselves for achieving the goal of graduation. While the dictionary has a set definition for success, I believe that success has a different meaning for everyone. Success does have some common underpinnings attached to it, such as working hard towards something and achieving it, but each of us will now be working towards something different. There are those of us who will find success when we have worked towards and attained good jobs, homes and nice cars. There are those of us who will find success in the decisions we make and in knowing that we are making a difference for others. And there are those of us who will find success in living quiet and peaceful lives. Regardless of our aspirations, each of us will now be working towards our own individualized definition of success. I think that you can break down “success” into the following three-piece puzzle: the first piece is “good judgement.” Success clearly comes from making good judgements. If you have good judgement, you have the ability to make the right decisions at the right time, and this ability will
CLASS OF
Good evening parents, family and friends, Board members, Merritt Secondary School faculty and staff, and my fellow graduates. My name is Gabby Zabek and it is my pleasure to be the valedictorian of this year’s graduating class. Over the last thirteen years of school we have grown so much and now, with our education fueling us, we are ready to embark on our own, down the road to success. We have learned about the importance of working with passion and dedication from Mrs. Andersen, with perseverance and humour from Mr. Cavaliere, and with kindness and constant support from Rita and Ms. Larson. And, of course, we have also learned about the most important figureheads of the Second World War – Mr. Suzuki’s family members: Admiral Nintendo and General Teriyaki. Some of us will head off to university to further our education. Others will take the year off to save up or travel. And some will begin their careers almost right away. Whatever endeavor each of us chooses, we are all now headed towards making our own lives successful. But what is success? Why is it so puzzling and, for some, elusive? The dictionary defines success as “the accomplishment of one’s goals.” The definition gives the impression that if we put all of our effort into the attainment of something specific and attain it, then we are successful. When we were
B4 • THURSDAY,
GRAD 2016
June 30, 2016
Grismer-Voght, Dakota
Heyes, Linus
Isaac, Paige
Isaac, Tashanna
James, BJ
Jarvis, Nathan
Joe, Keneesha
Jones, Austin
Joseph, Cassandra
Jury, Dalton
Justice-Wood, Nyssa
Kempston, Zoe
Khan, Shamveel
Lao, Michael
Leier, Keenan
Lindley, Dallas
Lund, Nathan
Malloy, Tanner
Manuel-Gottfriedson, Kwem
Marshall, Katie
McClure, Shadin
McCormack, Cohen
Mosley, Travis
Narciso, Tyrel
Neighbor, Quinn
Neill, Robert
Nelson, Brianna
Ng, Jasmine
Noel, John
Park, GaYoung
Dream Big
CONGRATULATIONS
GABBY! We wish you the best of luck,
The sky’s the limit, we know you’ll go far!
Kelley & Dan
250-378-5217
SHAI THOMSON STORE HOURS 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM 7 Days a week DRUGStoreâ„¢ Pharmacy Hours Monday - Friday 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM Saturday 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Sunday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
'PSLTEBMF "WFOVF t
#120 1700 Garcia St. Railyard Mall
Congrat ulat ions
Norgaard Ready Mix wish to Congratulate the Grads of 2016!
Savannah!
Love Mom, Dad, Kelsey & Kristen
Serving the Nicola Valley since 1960.
THURSDAY, June 30, 2016 • B5
GRAD 2016
Grand March
Congratulations,
Congratulations Grads of 2016!
we wish you success and happiness in your future. Best Valu Glass
2663 Granite Ave., Merritt, BC 250-378-4531
250-378-2030 2338 Nicola Ave.
Johnny’s on the Rez would like to congratulate all graduates of 2016 !!!!!! Special Recognition going out to Dana Alexander !!!!!
May you all achieve your goals and dreams !!!!!!
Sun Country Optometry 2051 Quilchena Avenue, Merritt t XXX FZFDBSFJONFSSJUU DB
Adrianna Griep Congratulations on your achievement! Love from Mom, Dad & Zachery
B6 • THURSDAY,
GRAD 2016
June 30, 2016
Quilliam, Jordan
Schmidt, Dallas
Scott, Brittany
Shea, Madison
Sigurdsson, Jenna
Simon, Seth
Snee, Cameron
Steel, Gina
Sterling-Moses, Colton
Stewart, Delayla
Stewart, Savannah
Stockwell, Renee
Stoltzfus, Resa
Strayer, Taryn
Suzuki, Sam
Thomsen, Erin
Thomson, Shai
Tom, Nathan
Tom, Sam
Turko, Brooke
Weeks, Burleigh
Wheeler, Julie
Wizniak, Maia
Wray, Bryce
Missing Photos Beitel, Brooklyn Berg-Daniel, Jonathan Bourassa, Zabrina Brkich, Hollie Charlie, Vera Cisco, Justice Curnow, Brendan Yamelst, Anthony
Dan, Austin Dunn, Teisha Grainger, Kayla Leverre, Montana Little, Chuck Little, Chelsey Mack, Elijah
Martin, Naomi McDonald, Kayla Miller-MacKay, Genaya Opper, Austin Thom, Elizabeth
Zabek, Gabby
Tashanna
Isaac Grad 2016
Congratulations Tashanna With your strong spirit, open heart and willingness to carry on. You have succeeded and GRADUATED Tashanna and her parents would like to thank all her teachers, MJ Berezan, Darlene Lewis as well as many others who have helped along the way, and most especially her fave teacher Ms. Tamarra Foster
Congratulations
to our Baker Brooke!
Julie Wheeler & All the Grads of 2016
ulations t a r ng
! e k o o Br
Co
We are so proud of you and the amazing young woman that you have become!
We know that you will accomplish all you set out to do. Remember to live every day to the fullest! 3561 Voght St. Merritt BC
Love you so much! Mom, Dad and Trey xo
THURSDAY, June 30, 2016 • B7
GRAD 2016
Grand March
Congratulations! We are very proud of you! Love from, Mom, Dad, Gramma, Papa & Jamie
Congratulations to the 2014! graduating class of 2013! 2016!
JAYDEN
From everyone here at (250) 378 6808 Located at 1951 Garcia Street
“Success for ALL Learners ~ Today and Tomorrow” Congratulations to the Class of 2016 The Board of Education of School District No. 58 (Nicola-Similkameen)
“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.” Henry D. Threau
We are so proud of you! The future is yours! Good Luck at UVIC!! Lots of Love from your Family!!!
B8 • THURSDAY,
Achievements GRAD 2016
June 30, 2016
THURSDAY, June 30, 2016 • B9
GRAD 2016
2016 Scholarship RECIPIENTS
Adrianna griep
cyrene catenza adrianna griep delayla stewart shamveel khan
• Adventure Management Ltd.
Shai thomson cohen mccormack
seth simon cassandra eves
• Merritt Sikh Society
• Nicola Valley Teachers’ Union Scholarship
haley bennett gabby zabek
• Grad 2015 Legacy
• Alberta Fraser
jordan quilliam dallas lindley
sahil bansi gabrielle zabek
savannah stewart
jasmine ng
• Merritt Volleyball Association
• Nicola Valley Women’s’ Institute
resa stoltzfus
dana alexander
• Mohinder Basi Memorial
• NVIT
jordan quilliam
jordan quilliam
• Nicola Valley Community Arts Council
• Old Time Fiddlers
• Patricia Rebekah Lodge #33
• Hospital Employees Union
jasmine ng
• Aboriginal Advisory Council Cherish Oppenheim Memorial
• Interior Savings Credit Union
Sunny park
Michael Lao
• C.M. Suttie Memorial
• Jamara Joyal Massage Therapy
gabby zabek
john noel
• Catholic Women’s League Mary Caruk Memorial
• Jamie Gillespie
madison shea jasmine ng haley bennett
Jenna sigurdson
• Nicola Valley Health Care Auxiliary
cyrene catenza
savannah stewart • Nicola Valley Farmers Market
gabrielle zabek seth simon
savannah stewart
• Rotary Club of Merritt and Rotary Club of Merritt Sunrise
cohen mccormack
• Jeremy Bain Memorial
• Coopers
Cohen mccormack
chloe burnham • Kamloops Blazers Hockey Club Award
• CUPE - Local #847
delayla stewart
• Pharmasave
seth simon
renee stockwell jasmine ng
• Eastern Star
• Merritt Centennials Booster Club
adrianna griep
• Royal Bank Scholarship
cameron deane
hailey bennett
• Nicola Valley Principals & Vice Principals Association
delayla stewart
• Elks Lodge #441
• Merritt Firefighters/ Monte MacLean memorial
brooke turko Jenna sigurdsson jasmine ng cohen mccormack
sunny park john noel • Merritt Seniors Centre
• French Immersion Program
Congratulations
• Nicola Valley Kennel Club
robert neill cohen mccormack haley bennett • Nicola Valley Teachers’ Union -Service -Tutoring/TA -Kennedy-Hughes
renee stockwell
• “Smitty” the Baker Memorial
seth simon cyrene catenza sunny park • Spectra Energy
Principal Colleen Mullin, the staff of the Kengard Learning Centre, the SCIDES P.A.C., and the CLC P.A.C. would like to congratulate…
CLC: John Antoine, Maryann Coldwell, John Dawson, Teisha Dunn, Charlene Dyck, Cheryl Gilmore, Julz Hall-Moses, Selena Henry, Jacob Jameson, Garrett Johnstone, Cassandra Joseph, Ashley Jupp, Joseph Mack, Colton McDonald, Kayla McDonald, Reg McLeod, Genaya Miller-MacKay, Fabian Oppenheim, Gwayne Point, Brittany Scott, Anneka Stroes, Aaron Tippe, Sarah Voght, Bill Willey SCIDES: Cecil Adams, Raymond Chen, Michael Gillis, Connor Hills, Aaron Holbrock, Duane Hughes, Mariya Johnson, Pauline Jung, Yongjae Kim, Aliya Krill, Beck Malenstyn, Shannon Matthews, Maxwell McDermott, Christopher Pollock, Payton Reese, Jayanti Robillard, Sierra Schroeder, Mark Scrivener, Chantel Shymkowich, Noor Wariach
DISTRICT AUTHORITY AWARDS:
Charlene Dyck - Applied Skills Cheryl Gilmore - Community Service Pauline Jung - Technical & Trades Joseph Mack - Technical & Trades Reg McLeod - Technical & Trades Jayanti Robillard - Fine Arts Anneka Stroes - Community Service
PAC Scholarship: Jayanti Robillard - Technical & Trades PAC Bursary: Mariya Johnson - Fine Arts / Film SCIDES Staff Scholarship - $350: Mark Scrivener
kris chastko • Suki Randhawa Memorial
brooke turko • Teck Highland Valley Cooper
gabby zabek erin thomsen • Tolko
resa stoltzfus • Douglas Lake Agriculture Future or Background
erin thomsen haley bennett cohen mccormack robert neill cameron deane cameron snee shai thomson gaYoung ‘sunny’ park jenna sigurdsson chloe burnham jasmine ng brooke turko cyrene “yen” catenza cassandra eves resa stoltzfus renee stockwell gabby zabek • School District Scholarship
B10 • THURSDAY,
June 30, 2016
Thomson’s Truck Parts & Sales Ltd. s $OUGLAS 3TREET
GRAD 2016
GRAD 2016
THURSDAY, June 30, 2016 • B11
Grad Parade
GRATULATION ON SU UC
The Future Looks Bright
Teresa Garcia
May all of your hopes and dreams come true graduates!
GRADUATE of
MERRITT SECONDARY SCHOOL
FROM ALL OF US AT
DREAM
BIG.
Congratulations on this milestone achievement, graduates. We salute your hard work and dedication!
2152 Lauder St 250-378-2929
Tainah Costa We enjoyed having you in Merritt as this year’s Rotary Exchange Student.
From Rotary Club of Merritt and Sunrise Rotary Club of Merritt
fountaintire.com
2649 Granite Avenue, Merritt r 250-378-2442
B12 • THURSDAY,
June 30, 2016
Grad Parade
GRAD 2016
grad parade pictures
It’s Your Day! Congratulations 2016 Grads!
OFFICE HOURS: MONDAY - FRIDAY 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Stoyoma Dental wishes Merritt’s graduating class of 2016 CONGRATULATIONS!
PHONE: 250-378-5877 1999 Voght Street (next to the Credit Union) PO Box 3090, Merritt, BC V1K 1B8
THURSDAY, June 30, 2016 • B13
GRAD 2016
grad parade pictures
A Heartfelt
Thank You
The 2016 Grad Committee would like to thank everyone involved in making the Grad Ceremony and Prom Night such a memorable experience. • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Elaine Gill Rotary Clubs of Merritt Merritt Liquor Store Merritt Secondary Staff & Teachers Julie Musgrave A&D Property Maintenance Dave Thomson Walk of Stars Q-101 Radio Station Merritt Herald RCMP Trinity United Church Return-It Bottle Depot
• • • • • • • • • • • • •
Canadian Tire H.Silvey Distributing Triple G Logging Merritt Speedway Tolko Industries Ltd. City of Merritt Wydan Ventures Ltd. Merritt Printing Extra Foods Save On Foods Merritt Minor Hockey Association Merritt Ladies Hockey The Grand Pub & Grill
• • • • • • • • • • • • •
Work N’ Play Mongos Subway Bob Turko Russ Willey Planet Hair Kruse N’ Style City Furniture Yaki Joe’s Nicola Valley Aquatic Center Flowers in Motion Purity Feeds VSA Highway Maintenance
• • • • • • • • • • • • •
Godey Paint Balls Rob Wray Michelle Shaw School District #58 Debbie & Pam Chastko Angie Haller The Source Doug Ladoski Ministry of Transporation Donny Lean Bobby Garcia Shelly Bradley Johnny Jackson
Also, thank you to all scholarship/bursary sponsors & presenters, grade 11 parents & family members, and all community members that purchased fundraising products and tickets. Our sincere apology to anyone missed.
B14 • THURSDAY,
GRAD 2016
June 30, 2016
Graduating
Congratulations
Congratulations
Congratulations
,"
to the graduating Class of 2016
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3623 DeWolf Way
250-315-0208
2190A Voght Street
250-378-3646 Merritt, B.C.
,, //\ĂŠĂ“xä‡ÎÇn‡ÓäÓäÊÊUÊÊÓ£ÇÇÊ+Ă•ÂˆÂ?VÂ…i˜>ĂŠ Ă›i° ĂœĂœĂœÂ°`ÂœVĂŒÂœĂ€ĂƒiĂžiV>Ă€i“iĂ€Ă€ÂˆĂŒĂŒÂ°Vœ“ *, /" \ĂŠĂ“xä‡Ó™xÂ‡ĂˆĂˆ{äÊÊUĂŠĂŠÂŁĂŽÂŁĂŠ6iĂ€Â“ÂˆÂ?Â?ÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠ Ă›i°
Maia niak Wiz
All of us here at Copper Valley Mechanical wish to congratulate Maia Wizniak on her 2016 Graduation! All the best to you in all your future endeavours!
$PVUMFF "WFOVF t coppervalley@uniserve.com
THURSDAY, June 30, 2016 • B15
GRAD 2016
Class of 2016
CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES
Class of
2016
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2016. MAY YOUR FUTURE BE FILLED WITH HAPPINESS AND PROSPERITY. DAN ALBAS, MP
Best wishes for your future!
Central Okanagan Similkameen Nicola.
From Dr. Todd Smith and staff at
Cascade Dental Care
#110-1700 Garcia St.
378-4000
2562-B Main Street, West Kelowna,B.C. V4T 2N5
TOLL FREE: 1-800-665-8711 DAN.ALBAS@PARL.GC.CA • WWW.DANALBAS.COM
Hack Electric 2865C Pooley Merritt, B.C. 250.378.5580
A local name you can trust
June 30, 2016
Delayla Stewart
Save On Foods would like to congratulate Delayla who is part of our Save on Foods Team as well as the entire Graduating Class of 2016.
Congratulations to our Grads!
: Grad: Same as last year with these changes: Change Coopers to Save On Foods, take out A food store ďŹ rst of all, and replace it with Involved in your Community. ere is only one Grad, elayla Stewart. Her picture can be used, I guess you will have to stretch the text. the text, take out Coopers Foods and Coopers Foods team and 2015 and replace with Save on Foods & 2016.
Graduating Class of 2016
B16 • THURSDAY, GRAD 2016