North Star High School celebrates first-ever graduation ceremony

education for the students, and it was important to thank their parents, grandparents and guardians for their efforts and support.

“Many of you come from different backgrounds,” said DeBruyne, noting whether they were Bulldogs or Warriors, they graduate as Wolves.

There were a lot of challenges along the way, DeBruyne added, and the graduates overcame those challenges. DeBruyne said she hopes they take what they learned and use it going forward.

“We hope all of your experiences will guide you to good choices in the future,” said DeBruyne.

and have even better experiences going forward. She said she would like to see them look back on their high school years fondly, but not as the best years of their lives.

“Don’t let these four years be the best ones of your lives,” Hawkins told her fellow graduates.

Hawkins thanked her family and teachers, and said it was the unplanned moments that stood out to her.

“Don’t forget your roots. That’s what made it possible for you to soar,” said Hawkins.

By Ron Giofu

The latest group of public high school students in Amherstburg completed the next leg in their educational journey and made some history in the process.

The first-ever graduation ceremony was held for North Star High School last Wednesday night at the Libro Centre. The school combined General Amherst High School and Western Secondary School and opened last September.

A total of 169 students crossed the stage and, according to guidance counsellor Chere Tulett, will head to 15 post-secondary educations, 12 apprenticeships and numerous different places of employment. She noted they graduate as Wolves, North Star’s nickname, but pointed out they still carry some Bulldog and Warrior in them, in reference to the team names at General Amherst and Western respectively.

Tulett added the graduates earned over $100,000 in scholarships and bursaries this year. She said it was a joy seeing them succeed but added there was “melancholy” as the school will miss them.

“You are the first graduating class of North Star High School,” she said.

North Star principal Melissa DeBruyne asked the graduates to stand up and look at their parents, grandparents and guardians. She said it is the culmination of about 14 years of