North Addington Very Proud of Graduates

Joel Hasler, NAEC Co-op and Adult Ed. teacher | Jun 24, 2020

The Class of 2020 from North Addington Education Centre in Cloyne has proved that small schools are able to graduate successful graduates in all pathways.

We are very proud of our graduating students and their response during this global pandemic as approximately 75% of our graduates have become essential workers keeping our local economy and community functioning during these difficult times, on top of obtaining their Ontario Secondary School Diploma.

It is the mindset at North Addington that preparing students for all pathways is expected and necessary. Instilling good work ethic, initiative, teamwork, and attitude is the foundation of our technology program. In the trades, two students in particular took advantage of our excellent technology program and the dual-credit program at St.Lawrence College. Jared Mieske and Lance Wagner both started electrician cooperative education placements with local contractors and then proceeded to attend St.Lawrence College for an eight week Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program that saw them finish grade twelve with their Level 1 apprenticeship under their belt. Thank you to Clancy Electric and Robson Electric for your support of these students. As well, Bradley Kavanough had many successful cooperative education placements with Milligan Meat’s and has signed on as an apprentice meat cutter.

North Addington is also proud of the accomplishments of our Specialist High Skill Major students, Damian Spicer, Ben Mieske, Braden Wilson, and Jared Mieske who have graduated with designation in construction. Countless other students are planning on continuing their education through work and North Addington is very proud of the work ethic and the determination these students display in order to succeed in today’s workforce.

As for continuing their education in one of Ontario’s finest post-secondary education institutions, North Addington students have accepted positions in a wide variety of programs. Some students have earned prestigious scholarships as well. The achievement of these students and the diversity of their post-secondary choices is proof that North Addington is capable of producing some of the brightest students in Ontario and students who are more than capable of achieving successes at the post-secondary level.

Ten students have accepted positions in college programs. The programs these students have chosen range from Dental Assistant, Police Foundations, Community and Justice Services, to Animation. Yet again proof, that North Addington graduates are able to satisfy their interests and curiosities while gaining a universal education.

At the university level, the graduating class has five students pursuing their goal of obtaining a university degree. Students have chosen programs in the field of engineering, health sciences, and animal biology. One such student, Rachel Cumming has earned a major entrance scholarship to Queen’s University. The Chernoff Family Award is a renewable scholarship which could end up awarding Rachel $48 000. Her twin sister Jessie, along with Avery Cuddy, Laine Snider, and Kaden Snider have received entrance scholarships as well. As well, the majority of our students in the university pathway achieved Ontario Scholar status.

If you have attended a North Addington graduation ceremony you were likely surprised by how much money our students receive in the form of inhouse scholarships and awards. This year will be no different. In fact, this year will see North Addington graduates receive more money than ever before thanks to the Kosziwka family. The Kosziwka family are alumni of North Addington and felt it necessary to give back to the community because of the opportunities North Addington provided them. Four students this year will be awarded this scholarship and each student will be receiving $2500. In total our graduating students will be accepting cheques worth more than $16 000. North Addington commends all of our local individuals, organizations, and community partners who make such a large contribution available to our students every year.

The graduation ceremony at North Addington is always full of student recognition. If we were able to have an in-person graduation this year, you would have seen many students receiving non-monetary awards too. These students earned awards for significant academic achievements and student leadership. The Governor General’s Academic Medal is awarded to the grade twelve student with the highest grade point average in their class. This year Rachel Cumming earned the distinction. The Principal’s Leadership Award was earned by Avery Cuddy. At North Addington we have a system of recognizing students for academics throughout their high school years. This year six students earned Gold Watch status and this signifies strong academics throughout high school. The students who earned this recognition were Adrianna Blackwell, Avery Cuddy, Jessica Cumming, Katrina Keller, Lainie Snider, and Courtney Wilson. It is a nod to this class that virtually all of the students have earned some form of recognition.

The school year has come to an end and it will definitely be the most memorable for all of our students. The uncertainty of the new school year in September will bring unknown challenges, but North Addington students will rise to the opportunity to succeed.