By Angelica Ingram

Published July 5 2016

There were tears hugs and smiles all around as 61 Grade 8 graduates bid farewell to the hallways of J.D. Hodgson Elementary School on June 28 ready for a new chapter at Haliburton Highlands Secondary School.

Principal Andrea Borysiuk commended all the students for their perseverance grit and mindset which got them to the finish line.
She thanked the parents for all their support and wished the students the best of luck going forward.
Twenty-one students achieved success by making it to the honour roll and were recognized for their efforts with a medallion during the ceremony held last week.

Awards were presented for academic excellence outstanding distinction citizenship Canadian Parents for French and athletes of the year. Subject awards were handed out prior to the graduation ceremony.
Valedictorian Rebecca Archibald reflected on her and her peers’ years at the elementary school and what will be different at HHSS.
“To me graduating is a time to remember our firsts and celebrate our lasts here at JDH” she said. “This journey has brought us to a year of lasts at JDH. Last assignments last assemblies and the last time walking through these halls as Jaguars … we’ve all learned very important lessons here whether it be math science or life skills like self control and responsibility.”
Archibald reminded her peers that they were all capable of achieving greatness however for that to happen they had to try new things and be courageous.
“We must be purposeful and try our best in everything” she said. “When high school comes I know we will all achieve something and be successful because of what we are capable of and our integrity.”