KINKORA, P.E.I. — The halls of Kinkora Regional High School were buzzing Thursday night as 31 Grade 12 students prepared to walk across the school's stage one last time as Kinkora Blazers.
"OK folks, it's show time," called out Kevin Bustard, alerting the grads who were decked out in blue and gold gowns and a graduation caps to get into formation.
"It was not long ago that I remember our first days of high school. We were all scared, nerdy, introverted minor niners trying to find our way around the two hallways in the school... Well, some things have not changed. We are now the nerdy, introverted but somewhat more wise graduates," recalled Madeline Moffatt of the "unintelligent memories in her valedictory.
In her speech, Madeline, daughter of Robert and Amanda Moffatt, was quick to recognize the support from teachers, school administrators and staff, bus drivers and parents, offering sincere thanks for all they have done.
"We cannot say thank you enough to our amazing teachers at this school. I'm positive all graduates will agree when I say that you are not only our mentors and coaches but our friends as well."
Madeline's mom is a teacher at the school. She graduated from KRHS, as did her brother and her parents.
"There's a lot of pride. Once a blazer always a blazer," she said with a chuckle.
"I went here, my parents, and now my kids. It's very exciting. [The familial connections] add to the uniqueness of the school. The whole community is graduating tonight. It takes a village."
Principal Jaime Cole, who is leaving KRHS to take the principal position at East Wiltshire Intermediate School, reminded graduates to be kind to others they meet along the way.
"I've always thought there was something kind of magical about Kinkora. But I know magic is really about the human connections... connections between parents and families and community members and students and the amazing staff.
"As a school we're small but our potential is limitless. I know it hasn't been easy. I've seen the tears, the breakdowns, I've felt the pushbacks... you have all had challenges... but you've all persevered. I know change is a scary thing, but this celebration marks your transition into adulthood. Wherever you're going... promise me you will live your life, forever, as a blazer."
Robert Greenan, highest averaging student and the recipient of the Governor General's Medal, advised future grads to enjoy themselves.
"Anything that happens in high school isn't going to affect your future too seriously. If you want a break, take time for yourself. Have fun."
Kinkora Regional High School 2019 Graduation Awards/Prizes/Scholarships/Bursaries
The Kinkora Regional High School Graduation will place on Thursday, June 20, 2019. There were 31 graduates.
**Indicates Honours
Skyler Ahearn - the David MacDonald Memorial Plaque & Bursary, a Perseverance Award, and an award for consistent effort
**Janeise Benoit - prizes for the highest marks in Culinary 801, Resource 601, and Co-op Work Studies 602, the Kinkora C.W.L. Award, and the Academy Diploma Program in Agriculture & Bio-Science
**Morgan Bernard - prizes for the highest marks in Peer Helping 601 and Agri-Science 621, the Saint Dunstan's University Board of Governors’ High School Award, the Marguerite Bourgeoys Bursary, the Consolidated Credit Union Scholarship, the Aden and Gladys Mulligan Memorial Scholarship, and the Community Service Bursary
**Alyssa Gallant - the P.E.I. Roadbuilders’ Association Bursary and the Academy Diploma Program in Agriculture & Bio-Science
**Clyde Gonzales - the Samuel Holland Entrance Scholarship, the Princess Auto Foundation Entrance Award to Holland College, and the Noonan Petroleum Ltd. Scholarship
**Sean Gonzales - an award for consistent effort, an External Robotics Credit from Skills Canada P.E.I., the William and Lois Paine Founder’s Scholarship to the University of New Brunswick, the Duffy Construction Bursary, and the Community Service Bursary
**Rebecca Green - The Student of the Year Award, the fourth highest average in Gr. 12, the prize for the highest mark in Biology 621, a certificate for being selected as a Loran Scholarship Semi-Finalist, a Renewable Scholarship to Dalhousie University, the Saint Dunstan's University Board of Governors’ High School Award, the Consolidated Credit Union Scholarship, the Kinkora Regional High School Staff Bursary, the GC Bell Town of Borden-Carleton Scholarship, and the Community Service Bursary
**Robert Greenan - the Governor General’s Medal, the highest average in Gr. 12, the Stewart McKelvey Prize for the highest mark in English 621, the Patricia McCardle Prize and the Ceretti’s Grocery & Hardware Prize for the highest marks in Math 611B & 621B, the prize for the highest mark in Physics 621, the MAXIMUS Canada – DeltaWare Division Prize, a certificate for being selected as a 2019 Schulich Leader Nominee, an External Robotics Credit from Skills Canada P.E.I., the President’s Scholarship to the University of New Brunswick, the Father Lou Murphy Memorial Trust Award, and the Community Service Bursary
**Katie Hillocks - the fifth highest average in Gr. 12, the prize for the highest mark in Agri-Science 801, the Patricia McCardle Prize and the Ceretti’s Grocery & Hardware Prize for the highest mark in Math 621K, and the Turn Around Award
Zach Iwankow - an award for consistent effort
**Mason Lalonde - the third highest average in Gr. 12, the Eldon and Maxine Clair Scholarship in Computer Science, the William and Lois Paine Founder’s Scholarship to the University of New Brunswick, the Slemon Park Corporation Bursary, and the Community Service Bursary
**Selina Lowther - prizes for the highest marks in Co-op Work Studies 602 and Peer Helping 601, the Dalhousie University Faculty of Agriculture Entrance Scholarship, the Consolidated Credit Union Scholarship, the Patrick MacWilliams Memorial Award, the Patricia Duffy Memorial Bursary, the Eric Murray Memorial Scholarship, the Academy Diploma Program in Agriculture & Bio-Science, and the Community Service Bursary
Austin MacWilliams - The Prince County Street Rod Association Award and the Academy Diploma Program in Agriculture & Bio-Science
**Dakota MacWilliams - the Patricia McCardle Prize and the Ceretti’s Grocery & Hardware Prize for the highest mark in Math 621A, a National Book Award from the University of Toronto, the Eric Murray Memorial Scholarship, the Borden-Carleton & Area Fire Department Bursary, the Academy Diploma Program in Agriculture & Bio-Science, and the Community Service Bursary
**Brooke McCardle - an award for consistent effort, the Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship to U.P.E.I., a Celebrating Student Achievement Award, the Malpeque Bay Credit Union Scholarship, the Raymond Kelly Memorial Bursary, the Rural Municipality of Kinkora Council Bursary, the MADD Central P.E.I. Bursary, the Johnny Doull Achievement Award, the Turn Around Award, and the Community Service Bursary
**Alex McGrath - the Earl & Annie Duffy Scholarship to U.P.E.I., the H. Wade MacLauchlan Raised Expectations Award, a Celebrating Student Achievement Award, and the Community Service Bursary
Isaac McKenna - the P.E.I. Agriculture Sector Council Agri-Science Prize, a Perseverance Award, and the Academy Diploma Program in Agriculture & Bio-Science
**Molly Millman - the P.E.I. Roadbuilders’ Association Bursary and the Helena Green Memorial Award for Canadian History
**Maddy Moffatt - the Brendan "BK" Kelly Award for Academic and Athletic Excellence, the prize for the highest mark in Peer Helping 601, the William and Lois Paine Founder’s Scholarship to the University of New Brunswick, the Leonard E. Keefe and Genevieve L. Keefe Memorial Scholarship, and the Community Service Bursary
**Spencer Mullins - the prize for the highest mark in Music 621, a Renewable Scholarship to Acadia University plus a Residence Scholarship, and the Malpeque Bay Credit Union Scholarship
**Katie Pearce - an award for consistent effort, a Renewable Entrance Scholarship to Saint Mary’s University, the Retail Education Scholarship, the John Callbeck Memorial Award, the Ralph McCarvill Memorial Bursary, and the Community Service Bursary
Alexander Pickering - the Ernest J. Brennan Entrance Scholarship to U.P.E.I., the Sheena Bradshaw Memorial Music Award, and the DJ Gallant Memorial S.A.S.S.Y. Award
Nathaniel Pickering - the Dr. Julian Jaynes Memorial Entrance Scholarship to U.P.E.I., the Marine Atlantic Bursary, the Honourable Madam Justice Michele M. Murphy Award, and the Community Service Bursary
**Jamey Smallwood - a Renewable Entrance Scholarship to Saint Mary’s University, the Nicholas Lambe Memorial Award, the Kinkora & Area Fire Department Bursary, the Academy Diploma Program in Agriculture & Bio-Science, and the Community Service Bursary
**Gian Tamayo - the second highest average in Gr. 12, the Biovectra Prize for the highest mark in Chemistry 621, the prize for the highest mark in Physical Education 801, the Principal’s Attendance Award for the Gr. 12 student with the best attendance record, the Eldon and Maxine Clair Scholarship in Computer Science, the Edwin Jacob Special University Scholarship to the University of New Brunswick, the Knights of Columbus Scholarship, the JNC Tech Bursary for IT studies, the Jennifer Ann Kilbride Memorial Bursary, the Noreen Peters Memorial Award, and the Community Service Bursary
Keaton Toney - the JNC Tech Bursary for Trades, the Academy Diploma Program in Agriculture & Bio-Science, and the Turn Around Award
**Abby Webster - the Eric Murray Memorial Scholarship, the CUPE Local 3260 Bursary, and the Academy Diploma Program in Agriculture & Bio-Science
