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DHS 2020 Valedictorian Speech

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The Class of 2020 at Dryden High School is being described as fearless and always up for a new challenge.

Madison Waites and Tristan Mineault have delivered their Valedictorian Speech online to officially close the school year.

They stated “In September we were all so excited to graduate this year as we thought this was going to be the most aesthetically pleasing year to graduate. We are proud to be the Class of 2020 but that’s not how we are going to be remembered. We will go down in history as the Class of COVID-19.”

Waites and Mineault note “To us, however, as graduates the virus does not define us but one word does capture our complexity. We are the graduating class who took on climate change and pollution and did our best part to tackle politics. We will be known for standing up for ourselves and others by being inclusive and fighting for peoples rights.”

Waites adds “We’ve begun the talk about mental health, gender inclusivity and Canada’s dark history of first people. Our class is fearless and always up for a new challenge which is why we have no doubt that our class will continue to prosper in the future. We are so proud to graduate alongside all of you.”

You can view the entire Valedictorian Speech below.

 

 

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Treaty Three Chief Honours Class Of 2020

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We say goodbye Friday to a school year that will be remembered forever.

Schools, groups and individuals across the region have been finding innovative ways to honour graduates.

Treaty 3 Grand Chief Francis Kavanaugh took to Twitter for his graduation message.

“I am very proud of each and everyone of you for continuing through despite these unique and trying times. You graduated at a time of great change in our society. I am sure its something you will always remember.”

Ogichidaa Kavanaugh adds “The world will never be the same as it was and you are the first graduates to step into this new world. You will go on to face these new challenges and build better, more resilient communities.”

Kavanaugh says “All of your hopes and dreams are still possible. Some of you will work on the cures of these diseases. Some of you will go on to tell the story of who we are to the global world of the 21st century.”

Kavanaugh adds our communities still need the trades people, the accountants, the artists, designers and leaders of tomorrow.

The Grand Chief states he understands it may be hard to find work or additional learning because of COVID-19 shutdowns.

“But I ask you to remain positive because we’ll get through this soon. And when we do your communities will need you to build a better future for our people.”

A reminder to people in Dryden, a drive-by ceremony with music will be held on Wilson Street from 7 until 8 Friday night.

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Drive By Graduation Celebration Friday In Dryden

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COVID-19 has put a hold on a lot of graduation plans, but a grassroots initiative to help celebrate is starting up in Dryden.

A drive by celebration for grads will be taking place on Wilson Street on Friday, June 26th from 7:00pm to 8:00pm.

Organizer Keith McEwan says they have been holding celebrations for front line workers every week and figured the grads deserve an event as well.

McEwan says they are asking the community to decorate their homes and property to help acknowledge graduating students.

For those leaving Dryden High School, that means decorating your property with Blue and Gold.

“We are going to ask students to drive from Casimir towards Colonization, so east down Wilson Street and we’ll be playing some music and just cheering them on.”

McEwan stresses physical distancing and group restriction rules will still apply.

 

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DHS Helping Students Remember Graduation

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Staff at Dryden High School want to make sure 2020 is still a memorable year for graduating students.

Instructor Cindy Palermo was a guest on the CKDR Morning Show Thursday and says the DHS Grad 2020 Photo Shoot is being held outside the high school on June 18th and 23rd.

Palermo says this is a COVID-19 contact free event and students will have ten minutes individually with professional photographer Samantha Hawkins for any type of picture.

“Everything is being paid for. The photos will be available, uploaded for you to download for free within a number of days of the photos being taken. Just like we would have done for you at graduation.”

Palermo says students are encouraged to put on their grad gowns, suits, Eagles ware or anything that makes them comfortable.

She adds all students will receive a cap and a sign to put on their front yard.

More information will be sent out in K-12 mail correspondence.

Time times for the photo shoot are:

Thursday, June 18: 11:00am-5:00pm
Tuesday, June 23: 2:00pm-8:00pm

To hear more, visit the Audio link below.

https://www.facebook.com/drydenhighschool/posts/10156961121861793

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Catholic School Board Working On Grad/Pick-Up Plan

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The Northwest Catholic District School Board is now working on plans to close out the school year.

Director of Education Brendan Hyatt says “We are actually working with our local Northwestern Health Unit and we should have a plan out sometime next week with regards to getting students back into the schools to get their things. We just want to make sure that we do it in the safest possible way and we’ll figure out the best plan to go forward with that in all of our schools.”

Hyatt adds staff at individuals schools are also working on graduation plans.

“All the students. They deserve certainly to be celebrated, their successes and achievements over the years. I know that our principles and our staff at all of our schools are certainly working diligently on various plans. Obviously they will mostly be virtual but we will continue to celebrate and their will be some form of graduation.”

He adds at-home learning will continue despite schools being closed.

 

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Three Options For Grad At St. John School

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Soon-to-be grads at St. John School in Red Lake will be celebrated at the end of the school year one way or another.

Derek Haime is the Director of Education for the Kenora Catholic District School Board, and he says they do have a plan in place.

Haime notes there are three parts to the plan; one for virtual, one for in-person, and one for a hybrid with smaller numbers of students and family in attendance.

He notes it all depends on provincial direction on COVID-19.

An education announcement is expected to be made Tuesday at noon.

 

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High School/Elementary Grad Going Virtual

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Graduation ceremonies at Keewatin-Patricia District School Board schools will look different this year due to COVID-19.

Virtual high school graduation ceremonies will be held at the end of June.

Director of Education Sherri-Lynne Pharand says at this point in time it will be a “virtual acknowledgment” for all secondary students who are graduating.

Pharand says elementary graduation celebrations will be held virtually as well.

She stresses they understand how important walking the stage is for some students so they plan to hold an in-person event at a later date once it is safe.

“Postponement until such time from the public health officials that we’re allowed to be face-to-face. We do anticipate that will likely be into 2021.”

 

COVID-19 Updates From DOE S… by Rayson Martyn on Scribd

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Apply Today For DHS Scholarship/Bursary

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There will be some form of graduation ceremonies at area schools this year and that means the annual tradition of handing out scholarships and bursaries.

Dryden High School warns the deadline for students to apply is fast approaching.

You have until Monday, May 11th to put your name in for a bursary or scholarship.

For more information, visit https://dianejacobsen.wordpress.com/

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Support Worker Grad Program Wraps Up Year #2

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Five students are among the second group of graduates from the Maternal-infant Support Worker program in Sioux Lookout.

The students are from Slate Falls, Sioux Lookout, Fort Severn, Bearskin and Wunnumin Lake.

The course is a certificate program that resulted from a collaboration between the Sioux Lookout Area Aboriginal Management Board, the Meno Ya Win Health Centre, Confederation College and the Centre for Rural and Northern Health Research at Lakehead University.

The goal is to improve the care of mothers and infants living in remote First Nations by providing individuals with skills and knowledge from front-line health workers.

The program combines traditional and western teachings and incorporates Indigenous cultural beliefs, values and practices.

The key role of the support worker is providing a focus on health promotion and illness prevention strategies and participating in community wellness programs.

The worker will be able to provide a range of prenatal and postnatal resources in addition to supporting expecting mothers, fathers and extended family.

The individual will also perform home visits across the north.