Celebrating the Class of 2020 in new ways

Good-bye and Good Luck: Seaway’s Class of 2020 – This past week, Seaway District High School in Iroquois said farewell to 50 Spartan graduates through virtual ceremonies and in-person drop-offs to each of the grads. High School graduation changed this year as schools were closed and learning went online to finish out the 2019-20 school year. This year, nearly $42,000 in bursaries were awarded to the students, proving that even during a pandemic, South Dundas businesses, service organizations and residents support their community high school. Pictured above is a composite photo of the grads. (Contributed/Photovisions photos)

nnSOUTH DUNDAS – Unable to celebrate the Class of 2020 at various schools in South Dundas because of restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, schools took to new in-person and virtual ways to commemorate these milestones.nnElementary and Intermediate schools in South Dundas used online celebration ceremonies, with slide shows and videos shared on social media and Microsoft Teams. This included graduations at Morrisburg Public School, Iroquois Public School, St. Mary-St. Cecilia Catholic School, and Seaway District Intermediate School. This year, Timothy Christian School did not have any Grade 8 students moving to secondary school.nnThe staff at Seaway District High School took an in-person and online approach to celebrate the 50 graduates of the Class of 2020.nnOn June 23rd, in addition to an online slide show, staff “Spartan’ed” graduates dropping off gift bags, balloons, a yard sign, and other special presents for students.nn“The community support was absolutely amazing throughout this whole time with both the bursaries and the graduation celebration,” said Seaway principal Geoff Trasuk. “We were trying to make it special realizing what the graduates had missed with the graduation and the prom.”nnHe added that the Class of 2020 will still have an in-person graduation in June 2021.nn“The community support is just unbelievable,” Trasuk said. “The staff really pulled together to make this all happen, along with school council chair Joyce Latulippe.”nnGrade 8 students from Seaway, who were also unable to celebrate their graduation in-person this year, will be receiving “swag bags” from the school by courier in the next week Trasuk told The Leader.nn“It’s important to mark this juncture in their lives. This is their move from teenagers into adulthood,” said Seaway teacher Carrie Gilmour. “All their hard work for the past four years shouldn’t be ignored because of this pandemic. They deserved to have this celebrated in whatever way we could.”nnBusinesses that donated to the “Spartan’ed” event include: The Morrisburg Leader; The Alibi Restaurant; The MacIntosh Country Inn; The Docksyde; Gilmer’s Pharmacy; Mustard’s Variety; River Rat Treasures; KBD Transportation; Kim Duncan’s Thirty-One Products; Lakeshore Massage Therapy; Almost Paradise Esthetics; Sugarbrig by Melanie; The Municipality of South Dundas; Cedar Glen Golf Course; Sharlene Caines’s Norwex and Pampered Chef; Iroquois Golf Course; David Lapier at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Homes; Quesada Burritos and Tacos; Upper Canada Campground; Chartwell-Wedgewood and Hartford Retirement Homes; Morrisburg Golf Course; Hairology; Morrisburg Dental; McMillen Automotive; Terry Tinkess Photography; and Hicks Insurance Brokers Ltd.nn“A heartfelt thank you to the businesses that donated to our graduation drop off,” Gilmour said.n

Celebrating the grads

nOur Class of 2020 coverage continues on pages 6 and 7 of the print edition of The Leader, where we asked the Seaway Class of 2020 how COVID-19 affected their learning, and what their plans are for this fall. Class photos and awards from Seaway District Intermediate School, St. Mary-St. Cecilia Catholic School, Iroquois Public School and Morrisburg Public School are also in the July 1st print edition of the paper. To find a list of retailers who sell The Leader, click here.n

Seaway District High School 2020 bursaries

nThis year, the Seaway District High School Grade 12 graduating Class of 2020 received $41,875 in bursary awards from the community.nn“This is such amazing support from our community, even in these trying times,” said Seaway teacher Lindsay Kennedy. “We really appreciate it so much, and we know our graduates do too.”nBursariesnnAnnette Angus Award – Josh Leclair.nnAnnie A. Boyd Scholarship – Nick Howard.nnBank of Montreal Bursary – Kali Brimner.nnBeavers Dental Bursary – Alex Stewart, and Thomas Mockler-Rowntree.nnBrinston Open Bursary – Madison Machielson.nnCanada’s Capital University Award – Bryce St. Pierre.nnCanadian Federation of University Women Bursary – Krista Strader.nnCanadian Power & Sail Squadron Bursary – Mackenzie McKee-Markell.nnCharacter Always Award – Christian Mueller.nnChris Salmon Memorial Bursary – Rianna McMillan.nnCommittee for Equity and Diversity (CfED) – OSSTF26 Bursary – Jacob Pretty, and Veronica Alfaro-Peters.nnDean & Melanie Swerdfeger – Entrepreneurial Spirit Award – Devon Swindells, and Bryce St. Pierre.nnDebbie Strader Memorial Bursary – Benjamin Vreman.nnDundas County Soil & Crop Improvement Association Bursary – Brandon Ault, and Jake Cutler.nnDundas Federation of Agriculture Bursary – Brandon Ault.nnE.A. Award (Brenda Liezert & Jan Mustard) Bursary – Blake Feht.nnEffie Prunner Memorial Bursary – Kali Brimner.nnElma Public School Bursary – Jacob Garlough.nnEvonik Oil Additives Canada Inc. Bursary – Alex Stewart.nnFoodland-Iroquois Bursary – Dante Caines, and Harley Heustis.nnFormer Williamsburg Royal Canadian Legion Branch 538 Bursary – Zoey Van Hoof, and Mackenzie McKee-Markell.nnFrank and Pat Ault Memorial Bursary – Trent Fawcett, and Ben Vreman.nnFriendly Brothers Masonic Lodge 143 Bursary – Dante Caines, and Jaeden Shaver.nnGeorge Davidson Fund Bursary – Nathan Disotell.nnGood Neighbour Award – Krista Strader.nnHugh Porter Memorial Bursary – Thomas Mockler-Rowntree.nnI.O.O.F. Williamsburg Lodge #349 Bursary – Jake Cutler.nnIn Memory of Garry Banford Bursary – Nathan Verhey.nnIroquois Amateur Radio Club Bursary – Kali Brimner, and Michaela Mustard.nnIroquois Public School Parent Council Bursary – Bryce St. Pierre.nnIroquois Royal Canadian Legion Branch 370 Bursary – Jayden Rowe, Michaela Mustard, Krista Strader, and Curran GIlmour.nnIroquois Volunteer Firefighters Association Bursary – Reagan Belanger, and Rianna McMillen.nnIroquois-Matilda Lions Club Bursary – Nick Howard, Christian Mueller, Jayden Rowe, and Alex Stewart.nnIsabel McInnis Memorial Bursary – Nick Howard, Michaela Mustard, and Reagan Belanger.nnJamieson Memorial Bursary – Dante Caines.nnJason Lee Hill Memorial Bursary – Zoe-Lynn Thompson.nnJED Express Ltd – Edwin Duncan Award – Trent Fawcett, and Maddie Faubert.nnJeffrey Buchanan Memorial Bursary/South Dundas Soccer – Theo Blancher, Jacob Garlough, and Ben Vreman.nnJim McDonell, MPP Bursary – Kali Brimner.nnJohnny Whitteker Memorial Bursary – Rianna McMillen, and Christian Mueller.nnLieutenant Governor’s Community Volunteer Award – Ben Vreman.nnLions Blake Cruickshank, Leland Van Allen, Harry van Moorsel Memorials (Morrisburg & District Lions Club) Bursary – Bryce St. Pierre, Devon Swindells, and Theo Blancher.nnLoyal Orange Lodge Bursary – Chelsey Osborne, and Kali Brimner.nnMarsden McLaughlin Funeral Home Bursary – Curran Gilmour.nnMorrisburg & District Arts & Crafts Bursary – Nick Howard.nnMorrisburg Leader Bursary – Jake Cutler.nnMorrisburg Public School Bursary – Kenzie Dowson.nnMountain & District Lions Bursary– Krista Strader.nnMunicipality of South Dundas Bursary – Jeff McPhail, Regan Tysick, and Joey Millward.nnOntario Power Generation Bursary – Thomas Mockler-Rowntree, and Damion Sheaves.nnOrder of the Eastern Star Violet Chapter Bursary – Zoe-Lynn Thompson.nnOSSTF Bursary – Jayden Rowe.nnParcoll Products Ltd. Bursary – Cole Myers.nnPerseverance Bursary – Zoe-Lynn Thompson.nnPhotovisions – Veronica Alfaro-Peters.nnPricedex Software ‘Justin O’Reilly Memorial’ Bursary – Rianna McMillen, and Kenzie Dowson.nnPrincipal’s Award – Kali Brimner.nnRandy Thompson Memorial Bursary – Blake Feht.nnRay John Barkley Memorial Bursary – Zoey Van Hoof, and Michaela Mustard.nnRiverview Presbyterian Church Bursary – Dakota Ault, Nick Howard, Thomas Mockler-Rowntree, and Nathan Verhey.nnRonald Pitt Memorial Bursary – Jayden Rowe.nnRoss Video Bursary – Damion Sheaves.nnRoyal Bank of Canada Bursary – Theo Blancher.nnRoyal Canadian Legion Branch 48 Bursary – Krista Strader, and Trent Fawcett.nnRoyal Canadian Legion Branch 48 Ladies Auxiliary Bursary – Krista Strader, and Kenzie Dowson.nnRWTO Retired Women’s Teachers of Ontario Bursary – Chelsey Osborne.nnHicks Insurance Brokers & Grenville Mutual Insurance Company Bursary – Devon Swindells, and Brandon Ault.nnScott Van’t Foort Memorial Bursary – Kali Brimner.nnSeaway DHS School Council Bursary – Alex Stewart, and Benjamin Vreman.nnSeaway Staff Bursary – Kali Brimner.nnSeaway Valley Singers Bursary – Nick Howard.nnSheldon Tryon Memorial Bursary – Jaeden Shaver.nnSt. Lawrence College Board of Governors Scholarship – Chelsey Osborne.nnSt. Lawrence Medical Clinic Bursary – Reagan Belanger.nnSt. Mary’s/St. Cecilia’s Catholic Women’s League Bursary – Angel Seillier, Damion Sheaves, and Zoey Van Hoof.nnStormont-Dundas District Women’s Institute Bursary – Michaela Mustard.nnStudent Success Bursary – Zack Levere, Josh Martin, Cole Myers, Haven Pelehos, Jacob Pretty, Tanner Rodgers, Connor Thompson, Jacob Venema, Noah Westervelt, and Maddie Faubert.nnSwank Construction Bursary – Nathen Verhey, and Ben Vreman.nnThe Ball Arts Scholarship – Nick Howard.nnThe Ball International Development Award – Christian Mueller.nnThe Golden Gears Car Club Bursary – Jaeden Shaver.nnThe Kelly Buter Memorial Bursary – Chelsey Osborne.nnThe Melissa Ringler Memorial Scholarship – Krista Strader, and Curran Gilmour.nnThe Red Door Team – Remax Marquis Strength of Character Award – Maddie Faubert.nnThird High Farms – Agriculture Bursary – Trent Fawcett, and Nathen Verhey.nnUnited Counties Science Fair Bursary – Alex Stewart.nnUpper Canada Campground Bursary – Angel Seillier.nnUpper Canada Leger Centre for Education and Training Bursary – Chiara Natali.nnUpper Canada Motor Sales Bursary – Jaeden Shaver.nnDr. Karen Salaj Upper Canada Vision Bursary – Reagan Belanger.nnWeagant Farm Supplies Bursary – Bryce St.Pierre.nnWilliam N. Crooke Memorial Bursary – Krista Strader.nnWilliamsburg Meat Market Bursary – Dante Caines.nnWilliamsburg Recreation Bursary – Ben Vreman.nnYvon Mayer Bursary – Blake Feht.n

Seaway District High School Class of 2020 Awards

nValedictorian – Bryce St. Pierre.nnGovernor General’s Medal – Krista Strader.nnMost Outstanding Student – Alex Stewartn

Outstanding Academic Achievements

nDakota Ault – Transportation Technology, Workplace.nnKali Brimner – English, University; Chemistry, University; French Immersion, University.nnKenzie Dowson – Mathematics, Workplace.nnBlake Feht – Physics, College.nnJacob Garlough – Construction Technology, Workplace.nnNicolas Howard – English, University; Instrumental Music – University/College.nnJoshua LeClair – Personal Fitness, Open.nnMackenzie McKee-Markell – Transportation Technology, College.nnRianna McMillen – Chemistry, College.nnJoey Millward – Healthy Active Living Education, Open.nnThomas Mockler-Rowntree – Physics, University; Music Repertoire (Band) University/College.nnChiara Natali – Mathematics, College.nnHaven Pelehos – Ontario Literacy Course.nnTanner Rodgers – English, College.nnJayden Rowe – Instrumental Music, University/College.nnAngel Seillier – Ontario Literacy Course.nnJaeden Shaver – Construction Engineering Tech/Management, College.nnDamion Sheaves – Construction Engineering Technology, College.nnBryce St. Pierre – Instrumental Music, University/College; Financial Accounting Principles University/College.nnAlex Stewart – Biology, University.nnKrista Strader – Advanced Functions, University.nnDevon Swindells – Manufacturing Technology, College.nnZoe-Lynn Thompson – Ontario Literacy Course.nnRegan Tysick – English, Workplace.nnNathen Verhey – Co-operative Education.n

French certificates

nCore French: Kali Brimner, and Connor Thompson.nnImmersion French: Reagan Belanger, Maddie Faubert, Curran Gilmour, Nicholas Howard, Zack Levere, Rianna McMillen, Jayden Rowe, and Bryce St. Pierre.n

Specialist High Skills Major Program

nAgriculture SHSM Red Seal: Brandon Ault, Jacob Garlough, Curran Gilmour, Mackenzie McKee-Markell, Christian Mueller, Damion Sheaves, and Jacob Venema.nnConstruction SHSM Red Seal: Dakota Ault, Jake Cutler, Jeffrey McPhail, Joey Millward, Nathen Verhey, and Benjamin Vreman.nnHealth and Wellness SHSM Red Seal: Theo Blancher, and Maddie Faulbert.nnTransportation Technology SHSM Red Seal: Trent Fawcett, and Cole Myers.n

Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program

nJake Cutler – Retail Meat Cutter.nnTrent Fawcett – Truck and Coach Technician and Agricultural Equipment Technician.nnJacob Garlough – Electrician – Domestic and Rural.nnMackenzie McKee-Markell – Welder.nnJeffrey McPhail – General Carpenter Apprenticeship.nnJoey Millward – Small Engine Technician Apprenticeship.nnCole Myers – Automotive Service Technician Apprenticeship.nnJacob Pretty – Assistant Cook Apprenticeship.nnDamion Sheaves – Native Residential Construction Worker Apprenticeship.nnZoe-Lynn Thompson – Educational Assistant Apprenticeship.nnRegan Tysick – Baker Apprenticeship.nnNathen Verhey – Packaging Machine Mechanic Apprenticeship.nnBenjamin Vreman – Cabinetmaker Apprenticeship.