submitted by Executive of the EGMB
On Tuesday, June 27th at 1:00 at St. Michael Catholic High School, 110 graduating students crossed the stage in front of family, faculty, dignitaries and friends to receive their secondary school diplomas and other certificates and awards. The Eric Gutknecht Memorial Bursary (EGMB) awarded $1,000 and a plaque to Adelina Smith who exceeded all the requirements for what the EGMB stands for, including continuing post-secondary education, working through adversity, demonstrating perseverance and involvement in school and community activities. Adelina has been accepted into Carleton University’s Honours Bachelor of Arts degree program with a major in Psychology.
Attention was shifted across town to North Grenville District High School on Wednesday, June 28th at 10:00 where 153 graduating students took to the stage to receive the fruit of their high school labour. The EGMB was awarded to two students who each received a plaque and a $1,000 cheque to help fulfil their post secondary educational plans. Seth Jones will be attending Carleton University next year for a Bachelor of Science in Biology while his fellow student Bridget Elizabeth Bruce has been accepted into the Sociology Program at Western University with a major in Criminology. Two of her favourite courses at North Grenville included Philosophy and Photography.
All students of both schools have navigated through some unprecedented times in years 9 and 10 and deserve tremendous applause. No doubt, the impact of COVID made for chaotic times and likely had an impact on mental health. Ceremonial speeches touched on compassion, acceptance and kindness, three major attributes that everyone in attendance should be able to relate to and work on to make this world a better place to live.
To all students who have worked so hard to get to this point in your young lives, we offer you the following: you have reached a great milestone in your life, so hold on to the moment…. but not too long as a new chapter awaits you when a new sun shines. The Eric Gutknecht Memorial Charity was established shortly after Eric’s passing on June 25, 2010 and has now awarded $40,000 back to students here in the community. Every donation made and the proceeds of every jam/jelly purchased at the Farmers Market go back to the students within North Grenville.
Congratulations to the class of 2023. May your feet always take you where your heart wants to go!
