Granite Ridge students in Mr. McVety's grade 12 history class headed up a meeting of the federal candidates on October 5 in preparation for the school’s participation in the 2015 Student Vote program.

The program, which began in 2003, offers parallel election events for students under the voting age, and this year it coincides with the federal election. The program gives students an opportunity to experience the voting process and encourages the habits of informed and engaged citizenship in young students across the country. The student vote will take place on October 14, and it is interesting to note that during the last federal election, the student vote results closely mirrored the final election results.

In preparation for the Monday meeting at GREC, McVety's grade 12 history students prepared a school survey asking students to rank various issues from most to least important and the surveyed students were also invited to put forth questions to the candidates.

The main issues resulting from the survey were: health care, which ranked first, followed by education and employment, and last on the list were issues of security and safety.

All four federal candidates in the riding of Lanark Frontenac Kingston: Scott Reid, Conservative; Anita Payne, Green Party; John Fenik NDP; and Phil Archambault, Liberal, took part in the meeting and a total of seven questions, including ones on affordable post-secondary education; improving health care and unemployment; the protection of the environment; terrorism; as well as the use of recreational and medicinal marijuana, were covered.

I spoke to grade 12 students, Sadie Clarke and Emily Brooks, who helped organize the event and asked them following the meeting if the candidates’ responses had swayed their initial leanings. Clarke who said she, like her parents, was leaning towards Fenik and the NDP party said that she felt that Fenik answered the questions to her satisfaction and she will be voting for him. “I think John Fenik spoke really well and really managed to connect well with the students. Instead of just focusing on a lot of facts, he tried to focus more on our futures and what we as student are facing.”

Both Brooks and Clarke said that they came away confused by Conservative candidate Scott Reid's response to the question, put forth by grade 12 student Taylor Meeks concerning the candidate’s position on the use of recreational and medicinal marijuana. “The Conservative (Scott Reid) seemed to be disagreeing with his own party and I found that kind of confusing,” Clarke said, and Brooks agreed. At the meeting Reid stated that while he personally agrees with legalizing marijuana, his party does not. Brooks said that while she doesn't tend to pay much attention to politics prior to the Student Vote program, she does like a chance to meet the candidates in person and to hear their responses to the questions posed. She said she liked Fenik’s response to the question put forth by grade 11 student Corri-Lyn, who asked, “What is your party doing to make post-secondary education more affordable for students?” Fenik said that his party will be making more grants as well as interest-free loans available to those wanting to attend post-secondary schooling. Brooks said that that issue is important to her because “post-secondary education is the next step for me in my life.”

Regarding their predictions for the outcome of the student vote, Brooks said though she is personally leaning towards the NDP, she thinks that the Liberal and Conservative candidates seemed to be ahead at the school prior to the meeting. Clarke said she feels confident that either the Liberal or NDP candidates would come out on top. “Both the Liberal and NDP candidates seemed more friendly and interactive with the audience whereas the Conservative and Green Party candidates just stated a lot of facts and the audience seemed more quiet when they were speaking”, she said.

The results of the 2015 Student Vote will be tallied up and announced on the CBC News on Election Day.

At the regular county council meeting in Sydenham on July 15, former South Frontenac mayor and county warden Gary Davison, and current mayor of Frontenac Islands and county warden Dennis Doyle, presented Maggie Clark with a special one-time 150th anniversary scholarship award on behalf of the county. The $1,000 bursary was open to all senior students residing in the County of Frontenac who are planning to pursue a post-secondary education.

Clark was chosen by members of the 150th Anniversary Planning Committee, who were looking for students, who throughout their school careers, have shown an enthusiasm for celebrating and enhancing life in their community through sustainable means, be they environmental, economic, social or cultural. Students were asked to write a 1000-word essay about these pursuits.

After accepting the award, Clark thanked council and spoke about her various pursuits, many of which are art-related. She has her own up-cycling art business in which she creates unique items from recycled materials. She currently displays and sells her work at the Frontenac Farmers Market in Verona. Clark plans to further her studies and will be pursuing a post-secondary commerce degree at university. Congratulations to Maggie Clark on her well-deserved award.

In her opening remarks at Granite Ridge's 2015 graduation and commencement ceremony on June 25, Principal Heather Highet praised this year's grads for showing G.R.I.T., especially during times of adversity. “By G.R.I.T. I mean your Growth mindset; Respect for yourselves, others and the environment; your Integrity and Trustworthiness,” she said. She also credited them with resiliency and perseverance, which they developed throughout the reconstruction of the school, saying it would serve them well throughout life. “You have overcome many challenges, and the skills and habits you have developed over the these past four years will support you for the rest of your lives.”

Highet left the graduates with three messages to consider as they enter this phase in their lives. “Be open to opportunities, new learning and ideas and to the opinions of others. Seek out knowledge and understanding and take risks and responsibility for your actions and beliefs; and be open to discovering who you are, what you stand for and who you want to be.”

Elizabeth Steele-Drew headed up the evening's program, which included an address by newly elected school trustee, Karen McGregor.

Following the formal speeches, the more than 40 graduates received their diplomas, and numerous special awards were handed out thanks to the generosity of many individuals, groups and organizations wanting to lend a helping hand to these fresh-faced young adults as they enter a new world and pursue their future endeavors.

This year's valedictorian was Jacob (Jake) Watson. He was introduced by Mr. Leonard, who credited Jake with a fine mind, a great sense of humour, and a way with words.

Watson plans to study journalism at Trent University in Peterborough and Mr. Leonard stated that Jake's compassion and conviction would no doubt take him to interesting places in the world of journalism.

When Jake took the podium, he recalled the good times at school with friends and staff and remembered entering the school a bit nervous and “at the bottom of the food chain”. He delighted his fellow grads and staff with his moving and funny account of their years together and his words made for a positive and moving wrap up to the event. Following the ceremony the class gathered for a final photo, after which the new grads and guests gathered in the school's main foyer to cap off the evening with a celebratory cake and refreshments.

by Wilma Kenny and Jeff Green

Ah, the modern world

Holly Thompson started her valedictory address at Sydenham High School last Thursday afternoon, June 25, by asking her fellow classmates to refrain from checking or posting on their twitter and instragram feeds, but then, humorously flipping her hair for effect, she said, “But before you shut off your phones, feel free take a video of me and post parts of this speech on Vine.”

She then started her speech in earnest, touching on many of the experiences of the class of '15 at SHS over their four years, from the antics of staff members, the academic and athletic focus of the school, and mostly the feeling of togetherness that SHS is known for, which starts with the commitment and heart of the school's staff.

“Now I’m sure you can all agree with me when I say this, whether a teacher, an administrator, an EA, a custodian, or essentially any staff of Sydenham High, no matter the obstacle, someone is always there for you. Everyone and everything is there for you.”

Although the Class of '15 has been through events as diverse as a lockdown and a victory at the Capital Bowl, the school’s #Samstrong efforts for class-mate, Sam Eastman, who is battling cancer, are something that she is particularly proud of.

She concluded her speech with some words to her fellow class mates that were important for them to hear, particulary as the entire SHS community struggles to cope with the events of the past two weeks, which hover like a thick cloud of fog over the school and the local community.

“You’re something important. Something meaningful. Something worthwhile. You are a person with the ability to make change, save lives, live to the fullest. Take nothing for granted. This life is one big adventure, so take it. And let others take theirs as well. Make good decisions—decisions that you can live with. You don't have to be a dentist or a lawyer, skinny or rich to be happy. Just be you, and be a 'you' that leaves the world a little brighter.”

Ottawa Valley-based singer songwriter Craig Cardiff not is only a gifted performer but he also has a unique ability to encourage and inspire youngsters. The singer/songwriter was invited to perform and hold workshops at Land O'Lakes Public School on June 23 by Kathy Bateman, the student support teacher at the school. The event was made possible thanks in part to a grant the school received from Blue Skies in the Community, whose mandate is to bring music appreciation and opportunities to students in North and Central Frontenac.

Cardiff, who performs regularly across Canada and the United States, engaged the students by showing them how they too can write their own songs. “I remember as a youngster being inspired by musicians who visited my school and my goal with this workshop and performance is to help inspire students; to get them to write a song so they can realize that it's not hard and to hopefully spark a musical interest in them”, he said when I interviewed him as he was setting up his gear in the school gym. Cardiff, who has been playing since he was very young, began by performing a number of his own original songs, tunes like “Safe Here” and “Love is Louder”.

At just 38 years old he has 20 albums under his belt and he easily captured the attention of the appreciative audience. First he spoke about what inspires his own lyrics and next he taught them the choruses of his tunes, inviting them to raise their hands and sway in time to the music as they sang.

Next he invited a student, five-year-old Keegan to the stage, who helped Cardiff write a song about the latter's love for trucks and cars, which included lyrics like, “I love jacking up trucks and taking the tires off, installing roll bars”, and another that told of how “monster truck drivers are safely strapped in under six seat belts”.

Cardiff invited a second student, five-year-old Keeley to the stage and together they composed a song on a topic close to her heart - princesses. The song included lyrics offered up by Keeley, one line about Bambi, the prince of the forest, and another about Cinderella's two very rude sisters.

Between the songs the students had a chance to question Cardiff and he answered a wide range of questions with “Yes, I like cheese and no, I am not rich,” though he did mention that his craft does pay the bills and feed his family.

He answered many more questions on the topic of music, including what inspires him, who his favorite singer is (Paul Simon), and his thoughts about fame and when and how he got started. To wrap up the performance and prior to working one on one with the students, Cardiff sang a medley of some of his favorite tunes from Paul Simon's Graceland.

The students were no doubt inspired by Cardiff's performance and you can bet that many family members were treated to a few original compositions before the day was out. For more information and to sample some of Craig's music visit his website at www.craigcardiff.com.

Two recent grants from the Limestone Learning Foundation (LLF) have resulted in some interesting projects that have been completed by students at Harrowsmith Public School.

Thanks to one of the grants, students in Ms. Vogelzang's grade six class recently held an exhibition of the wooden waterfowl they created for a special project. The students researched and studied various species of waterfowl using SMART Ideas and each produced a finished piece of text that they published in a format of their choice. The students also designed and made the wooden waterfowl using rasps. They painted them and also painted wetland scenes as backdrops to their creations.

Upon completion of the project, parents and families of the students were invited to a special exhibition of their work at the school on June 22.

The second project involved students from Ms. Thayer's and Jane Ranson's grade 4/5 classes, who recently completed a project using 22 new iPads the school acquired through a separate grant from the Limestone Learning Foundation.

The project, in which the students designed a virtual resort for the Harrowsmith area, also covered specific curriculum requirements including Social Studies, Science, Math, French, and English. The students, who worked in groups, first used Google Earth to find an actual location for their resort and explained why it was suitable.

Next they used Survey Monkey to develop surveys to collect data about what people wanted at a resort, and based on that information they further developed the resort's plans, creating maps, posters and pamphlets to explain its special features and services.

Thayer said that to meet the needs of the special learners in the two classes, the teachers applied for the grant to acquire the iPads in an effort to make the project more accessible to all of the students in the class. “The iPads are very visual and have different apps that allow the students to tailor the work to their own special talents and needs. For example the iPad has a voice-to-text app that allows students who may be less skilled at reading and writing to create a higher quality work, which they might otherwise not be able to produce. They also give the students appropriate choices when they are searching for resources on the web.”

Grade five students Andrew Johnston and Kate Livie each completed a project and showed me their finished work. Andrew made a presentation about a virtual resort called the MUG Hotel, in which he and his group created a video presentation using green screen technology. Kate likes to use the scratch app on the iPad to create her very own video games.

When not hovering over their new iPads, students and staff at HPS also know how to have a good time on a hot sunny June day. The held an annual Water Fun Day on June 19 that involved over 150 students at the school, with the older grade 4/5 students taking the lead and organizing and running a number of water-based activities for the younger students at the school.

On June 12, students in Mr. McVety's grade 10 Civics class at the Granite Ridge Education Centre competed in the finals for the Youth Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) Award, a $5,000 grant awarded to the winning students to fund a local charity of their choice.

The program teaches secondary school students the fundamentals of philanthropy by giving them the opportunity to play a direct role in making a financial grant to a local social service organization in their own community. Four groups of students who made it to the finals of the competition took to the stage in the school’s cafetorium and gave presentations to a panel of judges made up of staff and students from the school. Also in attendance at the presentations was Steve Humphries, the final presentations coordinator from YPI Canada.

The program, which is run through the Toskan Casale Foundation, takes place across Canada, the U.S. and the United Kingdom. It is a philanthropic initiative that aims to engage grade 9 and 10 students in local social issues by asking them to choose an issue and then to research a local charity of their choice. They then create an in-depth presentation and make a case as to why their chosen charity should receive the $5,000 award.

The four groups who competed chose four different charities: Almost Home, a Kingston-based charity that supports sick children and their families; Dawn House, a women's shelter in Kingston; the Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa, which supports women who are or may become criminalized and their families; and lastly Ottawa Therapy Dogs, an organization that trains and uses therapy dogs to assist individuals with disabilities and other special needs. The judges definitely had their work cut out for them as they made their final decision following the presentations, and after a long deliberation, they announced the winners.

Representing Dawn House, Grace Cumpson, Summer Kennedy and Emalee Ridell were called to the stage and presented with the $5,000 cheque. Randy McVety, who has been running the YPI program at the school for the last seven years, said that YPI encourages students to become actively and passionately involved in creating better communities by researching the organizations that exist to fulfill those needs. “At certain points in our lives we can need help from other people and organizations and this program is an incredibly tangible, authentic and relevant one that encourages students to identify those social needs and to actively connect with the organizations that address them”.

Over the last seven years, students at the school have raised $40,000 through the YPI program, which has helped to fund a variety of local charities. This year alone across Canada, 150 YPI awards will be given out totaling over $1 million in grants to grassroots social service organizations.

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On June 10, NAEC was fortunate to welcome Tammy and Bernard Nelson to teach workshops. The workshops were attended by Mrs. Pelow’s Grade 6 class, Mr. Hill’s Grade 8 class, Mr. Pelow’s Restart class, Ms. Cuddy’s Grade 2 class, and Mr. Rewbotham’s Grade 5 class.

Prior to the workshops, Tammy and Bernard set up a sacred altar, with a buffalo rug, decorated buffalo skull, and various other sacred objects, including different coloured squares of material. Each workshop started with an opening prayer done in the Oji-Cree language. Bernard then explained the sacred pipe, and translated his prayer. Tammy explained the four clan animals Bernard works with, the four sacred medicines and their purpose, and the four directions.

Each student made a prayer tie. This consisted of a red square of felt, into which sacred tobacco was put, and the square was tied off with red wool, to create a little, sealed bag. Students were told to think of family members or friends for whom they would like prayers for healing or other concerns, while making the tie. Bernard and Tammy collected the prayer ties, and will take them to the Sundance Ceremony they are attending this summer to include them in the prayers that will be offered.

The Nelsons also provided drum teaching and finished the workshop with the students drumming, which was an activity the students clearly enjoyed, and then students were given the opportunity to ask questions.

Students and staff said they really enjoyed the workshops. The Grade 6 class was very engaged. Olivia Douglas said, “Something that I learned was that they pray for animals they kill, and that’s good.” Edison McGarvey agreed, saying, “I enjoyed learning about how they kill animals. First they pray and then they put tobacco on the ground and ask to take an animal’s life.” Diana Weichenthal remarked, “It was very interesting and I thought they did a good job describing their culture. It was a fun and very informative morning.” Jaydin Reid added, “I would love to do it again!” Grade 8 students were equally enthusiastic. “It was cool because the guy was a survivor of residential schools,” commented Alex McInnis. Kayla Newman said, “It was interesting to learn about their culture.”

As well as travelling the province, teaching people about First Nations culture, Tammy and Bernard host sweat lodges at their home in Inverary, and are traditional sundancers. Bernard is also an Elder at RMC, acting as a mentor for First Nations and Metis people at the college.

Taylor Salmond has been a quiet leader at North Addington Education Centre, but when things need doing the students and staff at the school know who to look to. She has used her skills in Volleyball to set up lunchtime mentoring sessions with elementary panel students in the school and ran clinics in her spare periods. She was the treasurer of the Student Council last year and president this year, and organised fundraisers, charity events and more. She is also an active community volunteer and her grades have been very high as well. She has maintained a 90% average over her entire high school career and won numerous proficiency awards.

Austin Fuller is a guitarist, an A student, a volunteer firefighter, and is good at fabrication. At NAEC he was a music teacher for younger students all through high school, has supervised summer students at Bon Echo, performed at the Denbigh Music Fest, and met his obligations to the Ward 1 fire department - all while attaining a Special Skills Major in Construction with an 86% overall average. This year he has been participating in a dual credit program in Automotive techniques at Loyalist, where he is planning to attend college next year in the Welding and Fabrication Program

Last year, Taylor Meeks won the award as the best all around student at Granite Ridge. He has also played varsity basketball, soccer, volleyball and track, and he won the coaches award for Basketball in 2014. He has coached in the Northern Area Basketball League for elementary-aged students, was one of the student guides when Granite Ridge was introduced to the community last year, and has been an important member of the Student Council for the last two years. His voice is known to the entire school community because he is one of the morning announcment team at Granite Ridge.

This year’s SHS Drama Department production was “You Can’t Take It With You” by Hart and Kauffman. Set in the late 1930’s, the play features a happy, loving but highly eccentric family whose daughter becomes engaged to the son of a very proper and well-to-do local businessman. Complications peak when the future son-in-law’s parents arrive a day early to meet his fiancee’s family. Of course everything comes out well in the end, with a strong endorsement of the importance of quality of life, and the courage to follow one’s dreams.

It’s a good choice for a school play: large cast, room for some great over-the-top cameos, fast-paced and funny.

But this production came about in a highly unusual manner.

Typically, an annual high school play is chosen, cast and directed by the drama teacher. Other staff members pitch in with stage design, costumes, makeup and advertising.

Not this time. According to the program notes, drama teacher Rutherford had “a very ambitious grade 11 and 12 split drama class that wanted to have a challenge that would bring them together as a community.” So he suggested they produce the annual play all by themselves. He would be available for consultation.

It sounds as though consensus didn’t come easily, but finally the class chose “You Can’t Take it With You”. Three people wanted to direct and against all likelihood, three directors, Adam Brown, Melissa Pugh and Jadon Chow are listed on the final program. Auditions were held, a cast was chosen, and “the rest of the students that didn’t get a part, they became stage designers, wardrobe, hair and make-up or backstage and technical.”

To this member of the audience, it seems the drama class completely achieved their goal: the sixteen-member cast with the support of the backstage folks worked together smoothly and confidently as an ensemble, supporting and complimenting their fellow actors. Amy Walton as Alice inhabited her character with great consistency and Max Karan’s Russian accent and middle European manner were thoroughly convincing. It’s not easy for young people to play older roles: full credit to the makeup department for not falling prey to drawing a lot of unconvincing lines on their faces, leaving it instead to the actors to show their maturity through their movements and mannerisms.

Mr Rutherford deserves full credit for one of the most difficult but best forms of teaching: enabling his class to discover for themselves their ability to come together as a cohesive whole through what must have been some rocky situations, to the reward of a well-earned standing ovation.

A pity it was so modestly advertised, and ran for only three days last week!