WIIKWEMKOONG—It has been an exceptional year for academic achievement at Wiikwemkoong High School and the community celebrated students at the 26th annual Christmas Gala ‘Honouring Your Gifts’ celebration held December 6 at the high school.
Following a welcome by master of ceremony Jillian Peltier and opening remarks by acting principal Cameryn Beaudry, students were called up to receive their awards.
The Canada and the World Awards, sponsored by John and Jennifer Capin were presented to students with the highest achievement in a Canadian Studies course. This year the awards went to intermediate student Ken Corbiere and seniors Jadin Anwhatin-Wabanose and Hailey Trudeau.
The Business Award, sponsored by Enaadmaagehjik, presented to a student with the highest achievement in a business studies course went to Shaye Ominika.
The Trades Award, sponsored by Enaadmaagehjik, presented to a student with the highest achievement in a trades related course went to Ken Corbiere.
The Media Award, sponsored by Enaadmaagehjik, presented to student with the highest achievement in a Media related course went to Hope Eshkibok and Chryella George.
The Hairstyling and Aethestics Award, sponsored by Shears to a New You and presented to the student with the highest achievement in the hairstyling and aesthetics course went to Mackenzie Trudeau.
The Life Skills Class Participation Award, sponsored by Wiikwemkoong Community Living, presented to a student with the best participation throughout the year went to Shalelyah Peltier.
The Manitoulin Fine Arts Award, sponsored by the Manitoulin Fine Arts Association, presented to a student who demonstrates artistic talent and an interest in pursuing post-secondary education in the arts went to Hope Eshkibok and Jasmine Staruck.
Grade 9 Native Language Award, sponsored by Peggy Pitawanakwat and Bernie Brant, presented to a Grade 9 student with the highest achievement in an Anishinaabemowin course went to Zephyr Pheasant.
The Wikwemikong Heritage Organization Award, sponsored by Wikwemikong Heritage Organization, presented to a student who demonstrates excellent skill and technique in all art forms was presented to junior Hailey Trudeau and senior Kiera Recollet-Trudeau.
The First Nations Studies Award, sponsored by Wikwemikong Heritage Organization, presented to a student with the highest achievement in a First Nations Studies course was presented to Jasmine Staruck.
The Mathematics Scholar Awards, sponsored by Wiikwemkoong Health Centre, presented to students with the highest achievement in each grade level for mathematics, were presented to Cruz Tiabossigai (Grade 9), Ken Corbiere (Grade 10) and Phoenix Hoy and Mackenzie Trudeau (Grade 11).
The Manitoulin Expositor Award, sponsored by The Expositor, presented to a student in the workplace pathway with the highest achievement in a Workplace English Course had tied recipients this year, Allison Abel and Landon Meade-Pangowish.
The Wikwemkong Board of Education English Scholar Awards, sponsored by Wikwemikong Board of Education, presented to students with the highest achievement in English courses at each level went to Aydin Pheasant (junior), Pahquis Trudeau (intermediate) and Aiden Leedham (senior).
The Mnaamaazawin Physical Education Awards, sponsored by Mnaamaazawin Active Living Studio, presented to the student with the highest achievement in Healthy Living courses went to Tenille Shawanda (Grade 9 girls), Javier Salas-Cooper (Grade 9 boys) and Mackenzie Trudeau (senior).
The Helen M. McGillivray Memorial Scholarships, sponsored by the Estate of Alexander M. (Sandy) McGillivray, presented to a student who displays commendable creativity in their educational endeavours were presented to Jasmine Staruck, Mackenzie Trudeau and Carmine Wemigwans.
The Anishinaabemowin Award, sponsored by Wikwemikong Heritage Organization, presented to a student who demonstrates achievement and fluency in an Anishinaabemowin course went to Rakejah Wallace (intermediate).
The Co-operative Education Award, sponsored by Andrew Manitowabi Group, presented to a student with the highest achievement in the Co-operative Education Program went to Shaye Ominika.
The Manitoulin Nature Club Bursary, sponsored by Manitoulin Nature Club, presented to a graduate who has made a tangible contribution to the Land-based Learning Program went to Raiden Peltier.
The Little Current Royal Canadian Legion Award, sponsored by Little Current Royal Canadian Legion Branch 177, presented to a graduate pursuing post-secondary education went to Isabella Manitowabi and Daniel Trudeau.
The Manitoulin Health Centre Auxiliary Bursary, sponsored by Manitoulin Health Centre Auxiliary, presented to a student who demonstrated resilience and perseverance went to Haley Manitowabi-Trudeau.
The Ross Trudeau Memorial Creative Awards, anonymously sponsored, presented to a student who demonstrates achievement in the arts went to Rakejah Wallace.
The Mooseguy Memorial Land-based Award, anonymously sponsored, presented to a graduate who shows and interest in Land-based Learning went to Daniel Trudeau.
The Manitoulin Family Resources Bursary, sponsored by Manitoulin Family Resources, presented to a student pursuing post-secondary education in a helping field went to Isabella Manitowabi.
The Anishinabek Nation Science Awards, sponsored by Anishinabek Nation, presented to a student with the highest achievement in a science course went to Patrick King-Shawana (Grade 9), Jayden Anwahtin-Wabanoose (Grade 10) and Brianna Mishibinijima (senior).
The Mara University Science Award, sponsored by Chris Mara and Margit Alberti, presented to a student with the highest achievement in a university level senior science course went to Brianna Mishibinijima.
The Parent Council Attendance Awards, sponsored by the Wikwemikong High School Parent Council, presented to a student in each grade with the best attendance in the school year went to Patrick King-Shawana (Grade 9), Hudson Jocko and Brady Recollet (Grade 10), Hailey Trudeau (Grade 11) and Blaine Naokwegijig (Grade 12).
The Academic Excellence Awards, sponsored by Wiikwemkoong Chief and Council, presented to students with the highest overall grade average in each grade went to Adam Enosse (Grade 8), Cruz Taibossigai (Grade 9), Hudon Jocko (Grade 10), Jasmine Staruck (Grade 11) and Ken Corbiere (Grade 12).
A final chi-miigwech went out to the Gala Award sponsors, Candi Cheechoo, Erika Kaboni, Jillian Peltier, Wikwemikoong High School Maintenance Staff, Wikwemikoong High School students for decorating and Prepped Manitoulin.
