Elk Valley Graduation 2016

GRADUATION KEEPSAKE 2016

and so the adventure begins

Fernie Academy Elkford Secondary Sparwood Secondary Fernie Secondary CONGRATS GRADS!  banking anywhere, anytime

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B2 THE FREE PRESS, JUNE 2016

The Fernie Academy Graduation 2016

BEST WISHES!

Marian B. Gravelle

Congratulations

Notary Public

Here’s hoping your graduation day exceeds your greatest expectations! May all of your hopes and dreams come true.

All the best in the future

Dr. Jensen, Drs. Kahane Dr. Peach & Staff

Sparwood Office: 114 Centennial Square Phone: 250-425-2114 Fax: 250-425-2204

292 - 2nd Ave Fernie (250) 423-6838 dentist@kahane.ca www.kahane.ca

Fernie Office: 78 Ridgemont Drive Phone: 250-423-2161 Fax: 250-423-6149

The Fernie Academy

Head of School Message

O

ur sixth graduating class is comprised of the first group of students who attended the Academy from Kindergarten to present! New members joined along the way, among them, our first French Immersion participants. Together they have learned, experimented, travelled and played as they forged their way to this special TFA celebration of graduation.

We continue to prepare our graduates for the future and encourage lifelong learning by asking our community of students, their families and our teachers to work together. We have built a strong liberal educational experience emphasizing academics, athletics and arts – most of our busy graduates leave us with over 150 credits, exceeding the 80 required by the Ministry of Education. Academy students are challenged to learn and develop in venues beyond their regular classroom through public speaking, science fairs, debates of topical issues, international travel, local field trips and community involvement, athletic competitions, school plays, international academic competitions, volunteering and raising awareness about those less fortunate.

Our determined team of staff are committed to the complete education of every student. Their care and attention has laid the foundation for the future success of our graduates. I would like to thank and recognize them for their hard work and dedication to each individual student.

As our graduates approach the close of their time at the Academy, I trust that they feel confident and are well prepared to succeed in their chosen fields. We have challenged, nurtured and respected these lovely individuals and have truly had the pleasure of watching them grow. We wish all the graduates of 2016, a happy, healthy and prosperous future. ~ Jocelyn Sombrowski

Valedictorian’s Message

I

am extremely grateful to be graduating from The Fernie Academy this year. I have attended the school since

kindergarten, and it has been a pleasure to watch the school grow and flourish as I have developed myself. I have been able to create strong friendships with my classmates through a variety of unique experiences. Not only did we spend countless hours together in the classroom, solving problems and conjugating verbs, but we endeavoured in many excursions and even world travels. Most notably, during academic based trips to Peru, Germany and France, our lists of memories and inside jokes grew longer and we got to know each other even more intimately. I have learned many valuable lessons and skills from interacting with this diverse group of people and our experiences together have had a great impact in shaping my personality and outlook.

The accommodating nature of TFA has made my entire school experience unique and extraordinary. I was able to pursue my passions and still keep up with the extensive education that the school offers. The dedication of the entire faculty cultivates an environment where students are given endless opportunities and I have been lucky to share so many of them with my classmates. Despite the many harsh criticisms that I endured as the daughter of the principal, I am proud to become an alumni of TFA and to have participated in its development. Even though it is hard to let go of the place in which we have spent so much time and experienced so much evolution, we are all ready to move forward in our lives and use that which we have learned during our time at TFA to help us in the future. ~ Eva Sombrowski

Wishing all graduates happiness and success in the future!

Fernie Mountain Lodge Each Best Western hotel is independently owned and operated

1622-7th Avenue, Fernie BC 250-423-5500 • Toll Free: 1-866-423-5566 www.bestwesternfernie.com

Western FINANCIAL GROUP

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The Fernie Academy Graduation 2016 Congratulations to the Elk Valley's Class of 2016!

Best of luck for the future.

Pizza and wings – the perfect grad party food!

Best Wishes for All Your Future Endeavours ~ 2016 Grads ~

1221 7th Avenue, Hwy 3 Unit B Fernie, BC

from the Doctors and staff of

Sparling EaSt MEdical cEntrE

Gillian Craig

Camila Ordonez

Sean Hardy

Eva Sombrowski

250-423-4231 www.ferniepizzaandpasta.ca

Maria Landa

Keegan Street

Mira Macnair

Evan Traverse

Sebastien Yvon

FERNIE

CHRYSLER

Always on Your Side!

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Elkford Secondary Graduation 2016

Elkford Secondary School Principal’s Message

T

o the Elkford Secondary School graduating class of 2016; revel in this moment and take the time to thank all who have been instrumental in helping you achieve this milestone. Graduation is a benchmark of achievement and symbolizes the support each student has received from parents, siblings, relatives, friends, employers, classmates, teachers and those of you that have the good fortune of having grandparents. The traditional African proverb, ‘It takes a village to raise a child’ has been widely quoted, and the Elkford community wishes you the best in all your future endeavours. Personally I want to thank you for all your efforts in making our school a great place to be. On behalf of all ESS staff, Erin Hay our vice principal, and I would like to extend sincere congratulations to the graduates on your accomplishments and successful completion of your high school education. We would also like to wish you success with your future endeavours. Wonderful opportunities are available to those who boldly go into the future with the right mindset and right work ethic. Congratulations to the graduation class of 2016. ~ Doug Bolander Principal, Elkford Secondary School

Dylan Atherton

Sarah Barclay

Blaine Bernhart

Aniessa Bowen

Cruz Canlas

Adriana Darling

Tate Everett-Kenny

Kaelyn Finlay

David Gold

Kyle Haugo

Robin Hillier

Clarissa Hollowink

Rudra Joshi

Nicole Klein

Maygen Maartman

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Elkford Secondary Graduation 2016

Congratulations

Today you’ve completed the first step toward your future goals.

Congratulations, graduate, and best of luck to you!

to all the hardworking graduates in the Elk Valley!

From the staff at the Sparwood Public Library

C.J. Mayne

Evan Pumphrey

Donovan Smithies

Follow Your

DREAMS

Adrianne Mitchell

Congratulations to the graduates of 2016!

YO U A R E O N LY O N E D E C I S I O N AWAY F R O M A TOTA L LY DIFFERENT LIFE – U N K N OW N

cotr.ca

Joel O’Sullivan

Dan Rookes

Cody Sword

139 Centennial Square, Sparwood 250-425-7081 | Toll Free1-877-325-7081 www.sparwooddental.com

1791 9 Ave Fernie 250-423-4222

Patrick O’Neill

Alana Regier

Stijn Spittael

Sparwood Dental Clinic

Drayton Pare

Bertus Schalekamp

Elli Takenaka

Cassidy Thies

Korbin Parker

Corey Scott

James Windler

Celebrate, stay safe and enjoy yourself. You’ve earned it!

Congratulations and best wishes to all the graduates!

12 Water Street P.O. Box 36 Elkford, BC V0B 1H0 Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm Phone: 250-865-2223 Fax: 250-865-7515 Website: www.usw7884.com

Local 7884

B6 THE FREE PRESS, JUNE 2016

Sparwood Secondary Graduation 2016

Y

our graduation is a great achievement, but this is just the beginning. Your future will be filled with goals, dreams, challenges, and opportunities that will bring you fulfillment and help you make a positive difference in the world.

We wish you good luck as you start a new chapter of your lives and hope you find yourselves along the way.

Congratulations graduates!

Sparwood - 743 Douglas Fir

The District of Sparwood wishes you the best of luck in the future.

Elkford - 1 Front Street

250-425-6535

250-865-4622

Sparwood Secondary School

Principal’s Message

Valedictorian’s Message

T

he time has come to celebrate Sparwood Secondary School’s Class of 2016, as they plan the next step of their future. The grad parent committee have been working very hard to prepare for this year’s Grad.

The Grad Banquet will take place at the Sparwood Leisure Centre on Friday, June 3rd at 6:00 pm, and The Class of 2016 Commencement Ceremony will take place Saturday, June 4th at 6:00 pm, also at the Sparwood Leisure Centre.

Congratulations to Cale Hughes, who will represent SSS Class of 2106 as Valedictorian!

The class of 2016 is a versatile group of students. They are athletically inclined, they are academically inclined, and they are artistically inclined. At Sparwood Secondary we believe in lifelong learning, and every year our graduation class leaves with the knowledge that they have not only graduated but they are prepared to deal with change in this ever changing world. Class of 2016 you have made us proud.

Your future experiences will be filled with new choices, but I ask you to remember your roots. Be proud of where you came from. Keep the memory of your graduation ceremony with you always.

GRADS!! On behalf of the administration and staff of Sparwood Secondary School as well as all the other teachers who have contributed to your education, I would like to offer the Sparwood Secondary Class of 2016 our congratulations. ~ Frank Sopko

Dion Arola

Levi Bertand

Terron Bewski

I

have loved my time here at Sparwood Secondary academically, socially and athletically. The hard work of the administrators, teachers, mentors, Bruna and Pam created an environment that allowed me to be successful academically Their guidance, patience and knowledge have made it possible for us to look forward to a bright future.

What I’m really going to miss is getting to connect with my friends every day and interacting with all the parents and teachers I have come to know. At the same time there are things that I know I will not miss like running the beep test, gym class volleyball, or the searing pain in your arm after playing dodgeball. Sorry Mrs. Lowe.

Sparwood Secondary has always provided opportunities for many of us to participate in organized sport and I know that many of you have participated and benefitted from the experience as I have.

At this time, I want to take this opportunity to thank the many coaches, both staff members and community volunteers who take time from their lives to make ours more enjoyable. Sparwood Secondary has also been a place of inspiration and we need only look on the stage to find it. For instance our own Taylor Marchi recently won a Canada wide contest called Start Something with Alesse with an idea called “Shot At Hockey.” We can also find inspiration in the audience from parents, friends and other family members who are there to support us regardless of what’s going on in their lives and for that they deserve the biggest thank you of all.

Lastly but certainly not least, I would like to thank my fellow graduates for giving me a memorable high school experience and for helping me in this journey. Good Luck to all of you in whatever path you choose. While it may be true that the people in this grad class do not have much in common, it is clear we do have one thing in common. We are the Graduating class of 2016! ~ Cale Hughes

Kandice Blackmore

Kimberly Blankman

Janes Blignaut

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Sparwood Secondary Graduation 2016 We are so proud of you, Grads!

Buds & Blooms

Extraordinary Flowers & Gifts

250-425-7772 Sparwood BC

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Dalton Bouvier

Trevor Broad

Rebecca Caron

Tonya Carson

Gavin Cayen

Bailey Cibulka

Emilee Cook

Kevin Coombs

Braiden Cooper

James Fairhurst

Hailey Glover

Madison Graham

Cale Hughes

Ty Klafki

Blair Kulaway

Bryce Kutzner

Steven Kyle

Keenan Lewis

Congratulations to our grads!

Sparwood - 2-101 Red Cedar Dr. 250-425-6489

Bailey Cibulka

Kimmy Blankman

Madison Graham

Hailey Glover

Nika Sagrafena

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Sparwood Secondary Graduation 2016 Oh, the places you’ll go... and see!

Best of luck in the future!

FERNIE 250-423-4467 BLAIRMORE 403-562-7144 ELKFORD 250-865-2022

Taylor Marchi

Isabel McMenamon

Jordan Nelson

Kaylee O’Connor

Rachel Olson

Cameron Power

Vishal Reddy

Jacen Richards

Cinder Robb

Nika Sagrafena

Ben Sauerborn

Kennedy Smailus

Dylan Steen

Keep On

Courtney Sutherland

Growing

Andre Taylor

Timothy Tebbe

Melissa Wheeler

Now that you’ve graduated, the next level awaits! You’ll reach great heights of success, as you start this exciting new chapter in your life.

Best Wishes & Congratulations to All Our Elk Valley Graduates!

THE FREE PRESS, JUNE 2016

Graduation 2016

YOUR ONE STOP SHOP for all your grads needs!

Ann’s Independent would like to congratulate the graduating class of 2016 and our grads for their achievements.

We wish them all the best!

f o s s a l C 016 2 kes a c m o t s Cu order o t e l b a l i ava in store From cards, to flowers and of course for pre-booking your party platters - WE DO IT ALL!

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Fernie Secondary Graduation 2016

2016

2016

Well done, Grads!

May your dreams take

Hats the of you tooff the to corners Graduates! your smiles!

Box 1648 1301 Railway Avenue, Fernie V0B 1M0

250.423.3416 Fax: 250.423.3517 tjsautobody@shawcable.com

592 2nd Ave, Downtown Fernie 250.423.3736

Fernie Secondary School

Principal’s Message

Valedictorian’s Message

O

n behalf of the staff and students of Fernie Secondary School, it is my pleasure to present to you our Graduating Class of 2016!

As you look at the young men and women that make up this year’s class, I hope that you share with me both optimism and good wishes for the bright futures that await each graduate. While the Class of 2016 is not the largest we have ever had the pleasure to work with, they are still a very diverse and talented group. This year’s graduates have overcome many challenges, they have faced the inevitability of failure, and have shown the perseverance necessary to continue to work diligently towards their successes. Many have explored areas of interest and now have a clear direction for their lives after high school, while others continue to explore. Either way, I am confident that these young men and women have the necessary skills and attributes to navigate within the world we live.

Graduates, I know that I speak for all of Fernie Secondary staff when I say that we are extremely proud of you. You have all done well. As you move on to find what life has in store for you, it is my sincerest wish that you do so with an understanding that kindness, resilience and determination will undoubtedly lead to your success.

As always, we invite all members of the community to join us at our Commencement Ceremony, to be held Friday, June 24th at 2:00 PM at the Fernie Memorial Arena. We look forward to showcasing the many talents and accomplishments of our graduates, as well as recognizing the generosity that our local communities continue to extend to our youth in the way of scholarships and bursaries. I hope you will all attend and join our celebration! ~ Bill Johnson

Tessa Holmes on receiving the 2016 McDonald’s Employee Scholarship Award.

Creating Opportunities

2016

Graduating Class

CONGRATULATIONS

You Made It!

class of 2016

W

e shall not cease from exploring,” is an attitude that FSS has instilled in all of us. Finishing our six years here

should not be seen as an ending but a rite-of-passage into a new beginning.

We have spent the past thirteen years waiting for this moment, our graduation. Yet, it seems like only yesterday that we were beginning our journey here, walking into our new school for the very first time, puzzled as to where our classes were or how to open our lockers. That first day was made easier by being together and united in our excitement. Now, as we pass through the doors for the last time, still united, we take with us the knowledge we’ve learned and the experiences we’ve had at Fernie Secondary to face our futures head on.

My name is Jodi Thompson and it is an honour to be chosen as this year’s valedictorian for Fernie Secondary School. I cannot imagine a better group of people to have grown up with and spent my youth with. I know in my heart that the class of 2016 will go on to do impressive things and follow their hearts. While we approach our final road together, let’s cherish these last moments and experiences together to make even more memories.

I wish all of you the best of luck in your future endeavours.

Congratulations class of 2016! ~ Jodi Thompson

Congratulations!

On your graduation day, we’d like to congratulate you and wish you the best of luck on the road ahead.

Where Quality & Service Meet Without Compromise 6165 Brenners Road, Fernie - 250-423-9211

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Fernie Secondary Graduation 2016

Hailey Barr

Alex Beswick

Jacob Blair

Zachariah Bullock

Ryan Caldwell

Kaitlynn Chahley

Daniella Cocciolo

Hayley Croteau

Brandan Dixon

Curtis Eldridge

Alias Engelhardt-Lachance

Justin Evans

s n o i t a l Congratu

!

S E T A U D GRA YOU F O D U O R P WE ARE

From all the staff at

792 2nd Ave., Fernie 250-423-4607

Tanner Quattrin

Eliza Hughes

Oliver Robinson

Jacob Blair

Darion Forrester

792 2 Ave, Fernie, BC • 250-423-4607

B12 THE FREE PRESS, JUNE 2016

Fernie Secondary Graduation 2016

City Hall 501-3rd Avenue, Fernie 250.423.6817 www.fernie.ca

Congratulations to all Elk Valley graduates

Well Done! from Dr. Soetaert & staff at the

Leroux Clinic

Work hard for your goals Stay true to your dreams And never stop learning.

Congratulations to all the Grads!

From Mayor and Council at the City of Fernie

Alisha Garlock

Darion Forrester

Christopher Fraser

Alisha Garlock

Tessa Holmes

Eliza Hughes

Jordon Hula

Amanda Hutchinson

Jessica Hutchinson

Mariah Johnston

Savanah Kormilo

Chelsea Lawless

Kenan Ligertwood

Turner Loewen

Iralyn Magliocco

Johnathyn Martin

Emma McIntyre

Daylan Morgan

Allyssa Neitz

See the Possibilities Congratulations to the Class of 2016

THE FREE PRESS, JUNE 2016

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Fernie Secondary Graduation 2016 Graduates of 2016...

The Sweet Smell of Success Congrats to all graduating students Your career choices are limitless!

All the best in your future endeavours!!

1650 Railway Ave, Fernie www.ferniereadymix.ca ph: (250) 423-6174 fax: (250) 423-6251

Fernie Garden Centre 6283 Olivia Rd., Fernie 250-423-3666

Congratulations to all of our Elk Valley Graduates!

Monday – Friday, 7 am – 5 pm

Fernie Ready Mix is a division of Interoute Construction Ltd.

Downtown Fernie www.givershirts.com

Kayla Nord

Alexandra Olson

Kylie Penner

Carter Phillips

Evan Phillips

Jayden Phillips

Tyler Press

Tanner Quattrin

Jamie Ray

Olivia Roberts

Oliver Robinson

Bryce Sarabun

Parker Saunders

Shawn Slasor

Taylor Therrien

Missing from photos: Desmond Harrison

Jodi Thompson

Linnea Uphill-Benischke

Jessie Weitzel

Jenna Wright

Congratulations For “ALL” Your Technology Needs www.isosceles.ca

Your hard work has paid off, and now you are really on your way. We wish you all the best as you embark on exciting new challenges and adventures. The best is yet to come!

250.423-3002 Hwy 3 Open from 11:00am DAILY beside west fernie bridge

B14 THE FREE PRESS, JUNE 2016

Fernie Secondary Graduation 2016

2015

2015

2015

2015

Elkford Secondary

The Fernie Academy

2014

2014

2013

2013

Past Graduations 2015

Sparwood Secondary

Fernie Secondary

2015

2013

2015 2015 2014

THE FREE PRESS, JUNE 2016

Graduation 2016

Honouring Our Graduates

At this exciting time, we’d like to offer our congratulations to all of this year’s hardworking graduates. We hope you are as proud of yourselves as we are of you.

Good luck & best wishes to the Class of 2016!

From all of us at

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Graduation 2016

Congratulations to the grads of 2016!

We know how hard you worked to reach graduation day, and now it’s time to celebrate your accomplishments.

Please, celebrate safely!

A message from your teachers, members of the Fernie District Teachers’ Association