Class of 2017
Graduation Keepsake CONGRATS GRADS! banking anywhere, anytime
Every parent wants their child to succeed. Students and parents need to make the right financial decisions for post-secondary education. At EKC our student services can help you: save money with NO monthly fee build a good credit history
borrowing at prime
building good credit
Come see us today. It’s just Common Sense™
Page C2 Thursday, June 15, 2017
The Free Press
www.thefreepress.ca
Elkford Secondary Class of 2017 Elkford Secondary Graduation
Elkford Secondary School Principal’s Message
W
armest congratulations to you on your outstanding achievement as members of the Graduating Class of 2017. For many of you graduation seemed like a distant dream when you first began your journey here at ESS. Through your own resolve, your commitment to personal growth, and the support of your teachers, families and friends, you have completed this part of your journey. As you move on, ensure that you are ready to take advantage of the opportunities that do arise. The future is an amazing place. Your success is not guaranteed by being a graduate. The changing world offers you many opportunities and some difficult challenges. Follow your passion, but when you are determined you will be able to handle anything that comes your way. Allow yourself to engage and hone your newly developed critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Whatever path you may choose, stay positive on the promise of a brighter tomorrow. GRADS!! On behalf of all the ESS staff, Erin Hay our vice principal and myself, we extend sincere congratulations to you, the class of 2017. ~ Doug Bolander Principal, Elkford Secondary School
Dana Barclay
Sarah Bohn
Gage Desteur
Jenna Diederich
Kira Gamache
Artur Gergely
Alex Gruber
Jacey Hargreaves
ConGRRRRatulations!
Best wishes to the graduating class of 2017
from the Mayor, Council and Staff at the District of Elkford.
The Free Press
www.thefreepress.ca
Thursday, June 15, 2017 Page C3
Elkford Secondary Graduation Elkford Secondary Class of 2017
Jaelum Held
Triston Hooper
Dakota Ingham
Kyle Klippenstein
Keely Paton
Jake Rogers
Trey Traverse
Erica Vogt
Keelan Watson
Brittany Williams
Brandon Wilson
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
Sparwood - 743 Douglas Fir
250-425-6535
Elkford - 1 Front Street
250-865-4622
Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm Phone: 250-865-2223 Fax: 250-865-7515 Website: www.usw7884.com
Local 7884
Page C4 Thursday, June 15, 2017
The Free Press
Well Done Grads!
Fernie Secondary Graduation 2017 Graduates of 2017...
2017
Best of luck, and best wishes from Dr. Soetaert & staff at the
Leroux Clinic
www.thefreepress.ca
Box 1648 1301 Railway Avenue, Fernie V0B 1M0
All the best in your future endeavours!! 1650 Railway Ave, Fernie www.ferniereadymix.ca ph: (250) 423-6174 fax: (250) 423-6251
250.423.3416 Fax: 250.423.3517 tjsautobody@shawcable.com
Monday – Friday, 7 am – 5 pm
Fernie Ready Mix is a division of Interoute Construction Ltd.
Fernie Secondary School
Principal’s Message
Valedictorian’s Message
O
n behalf of Fernie Secondary School, staff and students, I wish to extend my congratulations to the Class of 2017.
The Class of 2017 entered Fernie Secondary School as a young group of children looking somewhat overwhelmed. These past years, I have seen the graduates work exceptionally hard to make the best of themselves. They have persevered and worked towards their goals in a determined way. They arrive at graduation as a skilled and valuable group ready to tackle the next set of education, career and employment challenges. It is my hope, graduates that you recognize the community, family, friends and teachers that have helped you reach this milestone. As you move forward, treasure the memories you have made and value the experiences you will make. We challenge you to continue with your journey of learning and growth.
Thank you to the Class of 2017 for your leadership and contributions to the Fernie Secondary Community. You have made us proud. Congratulations to Fynley Kuijt, FSS Class of 2017 Valedictorian.
Fernie Secondary Commencement Ceremony will be held on Friday June 30, 2017 at 2:00 pm in the Fernie Memorial Arena. We will be celebrating the accomplishments of our students as well as publicly recognizing the generosity of our local community members who provide bursaries and scholarships for the betterment of our youth. We invite all to our celebration. Good Luck in the future, Graduates. Have a Safe and Fun Graduation! ~ Linda Christenson
D
o you remember how it felt, walking into FSS as a new student six years ago? Everything seemed so massive, imposing and unfamiliar, especially the teachers and the other students. Today, none of that even crosses our minds. We know every teacher in the school, have built friendships with many of those same students we were scared to talk to at first and FSS no longer seems so massive now that we can touch the top shelf in our lockers. We have come so far from grade seven, when we hugged the edges of the hallways from class to class. Now, we walk those hallways with all the confidence in the world. High school doesn’t last forever, but the lessons you learn and the memories you make affect you for a lifetime. I can’t imagine a better group of people to grow up with. It was full of laughter, last minute studying in the hallway, stress, weeks with more tests than there are days, freezing classrooms, boiling classrooms, and bus trips. Together, we have seen each other through some of the most challenging, stressful, and memorable moments of high school and I am honoured to represent such an amazing group of people as Valedictorian. Best of luck, wherever your dreams may take you! ~ Fynley Kuijt
Congratulations Grads! We wish you the best of luck on your road to success.
Where Quality & Service Meet Without Compromise 6165 Brenners Road, Fernie - 250-423-9211 641 Sparwood Drive, Sparwood - 778-518-5006 15 Bear Paw Crescent, Elkford - 778-519-0025
The Free Press
www.thefreepress.ca
Thursday, June 15, 2017 Page C5
Fernie Secondary Graduation 2017
Dameeka Abrahamsen
Seth Amundsen
Hunter Bezak
Clay Birch
Matthew Buchan
Liam Bush
Greyson Carr
Lania Cook
Sarah Croteau
Taitum Doering
Brianna Durham
Charlie Durham
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
Cameron Prest
Hayley Kons
Jarrod Elliott
Colton Hutchinson
792 2 Ave, Fernie, BC • 250-423-4607
Page C6 Thursday, June 15, 2017
The Free Press
www.thefreepress.ca
Fernie Secondary Graduation 2017
Megan Durham
Megan Gigliotti
Kara Goodman
Celeste Hart
Robyn Howard
Colton Hutchinson
Ethan Ingham
Shaylyn Johnson
Mekaela Kallies
Taryn Kelly
Haylie Kons
Fynley Kuijt
Bailey Labelle
Will Le Moine
Aiden Levesque
Brea Malmas
Kirsten Mcleod,
Sonia Mende
Hannah Morris
Micah Morris
Taylor Moulton
Kaleb Neufeld
Narnia Organ
Juliana Pater
Congratulations to all the graduates on your accomplishments! Best wishes for your continued success.
Alexandra Stephenson
Sparwood, B.C.
The Free Press
www.thefreepress.ca
Thursday, June 15, 2017 Page C7
Fernie Secondary Graduation 2017
Jessica Payne
Andre Pelletier
Blake Plummer
Austin Poirier
Pierce Potyok
Morgan Price
Daniel Reay
Michael Reay
Elyse Richmond
Dylan Roesch
Lisa Ross
Garrett Salanski
Owen Salanski
Damon Scheller
Ryan Sieler
Owen Smith
Alexander Soukoroff
Donovan Starr
Jodi Stemberger
Alexandra Stephenson
Missing: Savanna Goossens Sydney Morgan
Alise Ungaro
Dylan Waligorski
Congratulations 2017 Elk Valley Grads Best of luck for the future. Pizza and wings – the perfect grad party food! 1221 7th Avenue, Hwy 3 Unit B Fernie, BC 250-423-4231 www.ferniepizzaandpasta.ca
Josh Yost
Best wishes to the graduating class of 2017! For “ALL” Your Technology Needs www.isosceles.ca
Page C8 Thursday, June 15, 2017
The Free Press
www.thefreepress.ca
Sparwood Secondary Graduation 2017
Sparwood Secondary School
Principal’s Message
I
t seems like we were just starting the year and here we are getting ready to celebrate Sparwood Secondary School’s class of 2017 Commencement. The Grad Banquet took place in the Sparwood Leisure Center Curling Rink on May 26, and The Class of 2017 Commencement Ceremony took place May 27, also in the Sparwood Leisure Center Curling Rink. Congratulations to Noah Devine, who will represent the SSS Class of 2107 as Valedictorian! The class of 2017 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 2017 you have made us proud. Your future experiences will be filled 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. On behalf of the administration and staff of Sparwood Secondary School, as well as, all the other teachers (both Elementary and Secondary) who have contributed to your education, I would like to offer the Sparwood Secondary Class of 2017 our congratulations! REMEMBER PLEASE HAVE A HAPPY AND SAFE GRADUATION!! ~ Frank Sopko
Kevin Arend
Winston Blair
Bradley Bodie
Tyler Bruce
Bailee Casselman
Congratulations Grads! FERNIE 250-423-4467 BLAIRMORE 403-562-7144 ELKFORD 250-865-2022
Congratulations Class of 2017 The District of Sparwood wishes you success in your future endeavours!
Kyle Chatterson
The Free Press
www.thefreepress.ca
Thursday, June 15, 2017 Page C9
Sparwood Secondary Graduation 2017
Malorie Demers
Nick Demers
Ariel Devine
Noah Devine
Jessica Dowling
Kyle Egan
Jarrod Elliott
Olivia English
Rayne French
Joey Godin-Rusnak
Cassie Goulet
Zachary Halko
William Hesketh
Odessa Huzina
Markie Klafki
Paige Laidlaw
Amanda Liebe
Kiara Lindley
Ethan Lukkar
Kiana Matatall
Joshua Matt
Austin Molley
Emily Moses
Rylee Olden
Sparwood Dental Clinic
We are so proud of you, Grads!
250-425-7772 Sparwood BC
139 Centennial Square, Sparwood 250-425-7081 | Toll Free1-877-325-7081 www.sparwooddental.com
Garrett Ready Mix is a division of Interoute Construction Ltd.
Congratulations to all the hardworking graduates in the Elk Valley!
From the staff at the Sparwood Public Library
Page C10 Thursday, June 15, 2017
The Free Press
www.thefreepress.ca
Sparwood Secondary Graduation 2017 Keep On
Growing
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!
Jaden Olinyk
Nikita Paskiewich
Caterina Payette
Congratulations to the graduates of 2017!
YOU ARE ONLY ONE DE C I S I ON AWAY FROM A TOTAL LY DIF F E RE NT L I F E -U N KN OWN
cotr.ca
Dominic Plourde
Cameron Prest
Tristan Randell
Frederick Riedel
Tianna Schacker
Jessica Smith
Jaden Staples
Levi Strom
Hayden Syrja
Jared Thompson
Stephan White
Darren Wittfoth
Wyatt Wyld
Congratulations to our grads! Sparwood - 2-101 Red Cedar Dr. 250-425-6489
Nick Demers
Eric Riedel
Malorie Demers
Zachary Halko
Jessica Dowling
The Free Press
www.thefreepress.ca
Thursday, June 15, 2017 Page C11
The Fernie Academy Graduation 2017
BEST WISHES!
Congratulations to all of our Elk Valley Graduates!
Best Wishes for All Your Future Endeavours ~ 2017 Grads ~
from the Doctors and staff of
Sparling EaSt MEdical cEntrE
Downtown Fernie www.givershirts.com
Here’s hoping your graduation day exceeds your greatest expectations! May all of your hopes and dreams come true.
Dr. Jensen, Drs. Kahane Dr. Peach & Staff 292 - 2nd Ave Fernie (250) 423-6838 dentist@kahane.ca www.kahane.ca
The Fernie Academy Head of School Message
I
n celebrating the conclusion of our 15th school year, we recognize the accomplishments of our seventh graduating class! Together they have learned, travelled and grown as they made their way to this important day as a supportive group of classmates and friends.
As a unit, 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 all members of our team for their hard work and dedication to each individual student.
As our graduates approach the close of their time at the Academy, we trust that they have had the opportunity to gain the tools necessary to be confident and prepared to succeed in their chosen fields. I wish all the graduates of 2017, a happy, healthy and prosperous future.
Valedictorian’s Message
T
hirteen years ago I started Kindergarten at The Fernie Academy. TFA has been my home for the majority of my life and the thought of not coming back next year is daunting. I call the Academy home for many reasons, one of them being the teachers and staff. Instead of just teaching the students here school subjects, they are extremely invested in making sure we are successful in whatever we choose to do. I would like to thank all the teachers for supporting us in all of our endeavours and caring about each and every one of their students. However, it is really my class that makes TFA family. We have been through challenging circumstances and amazing adventures from Peru to Paris, and many, many school competitions. All of these individuals combined together creates a great combination, one that I would call a family. While I am sad that we will all be moving on to different things next year, I know that I will always have my classmates whenever I need them. So thank you to The Fernie Academy for giving me a family that I will be forever grateful for and for giving all of us the foundation from which we can launch our individual aspirations.
~ Sophia Loewen
~ Jocelyn Sombrowski
TFA Mission Statement: Through active learning experiences, in partnership with the family and community, each student is encouraged to achieve their full potential in academics, arts and athletics.
Wishing all graduates happiness and success in the future!
Fernie Mountain Lodge Each Best Western hotel is independently owned and operated
Western FINANCIAL GROUP
1622-7th Avenue, Fernie BC 250-423-5500 • Toll Free: 1-866-423-5566 www.bestwesternfernie.com
Page C12 Thursday, June 15, 2017
The Free Press
www.thefreepress.ca
The Fernie Academy Graduation 2017
See the Possibilities Congratulations to the Class of 2017
Robert Angus
Liam Cote
Donovan Gostick
Sophia Loewen
Cheyenne Marriott
Anthony Milligan
Taylor Moulton
Zac Watson
Congratulations to all the Graduates! EDUCATION IS THE KEY TO YOUR FUTURE.
The Free Press
www.thefreepress.ca
Thursday, June 15, 2017 Page C13
Graduation 2017
YOUR ONE STOP SHOP for all your grads needs!
Ann’s Independent would like to congratulate the graduating class of 2017 and our grads for their achievements. We wish them all the best!
f o s s a l C 017 2 kes a c m o t s Cu rder o o t e l b a l avai in store From cards, to flowers and of course for pre-booking your party platters - WE DO IT ALL!
Caterina Payette
Olivia English
Winston Blair
Stephan White
Ethan Lukkar
Tristan Randell
Meghan Durham
Bailey Labelle
Kirsten Mcleod
Owen Smith
Call us to place your PLATTER ORDER!
250-423-7387
OPEN: Sunday - Saturday • 7am - 10pm HIGHWAY 3, FERNIE
Page C14 Thursday, June 15, 2017
The Free Press
www.thefreepress.ca
Graduation 2017
Sparwood Secondary
2016
2016
2016 The Fernie Academy
2016
Past Graduations Fernie Secondary
2016
2016
2016 2016
2016
Elkford Secondary
www.thefreepress.ca
The Free Press
Thursday, June 15, 2017 Page C15
Graduation 2017
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 2017! From all of us at
The Free Press
Page C16 Thursday, June 15, 2017
The Free Press
www.thefreepress.ca
Graduation 2017
Congratulations to the grads of 2017!
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