WIIKWEMKOONG—Wiikwemkoong High School recognized its outstanding students during the annual Awards Night Gala held in December.
Following a welcome by master of ceremonies Jillian Peltier, Wiikwemkoong High School guidance counsellor, a welcome song was performed by the Warrior Kweok Drum Group, who also provided an honour song at the conclusion of the awards ceremony.
Kiera Recollet-Trudeau was presented with the 2021-2022 Grade 9 Native Language Award sponsored by Peggy Pitawanakwat and Bernie Brant, presented to a student with the highest achievement in a Grade 9 Native language course.
The 2021 Mathematics Scholar Awards, sponsored by the Wiikwemkoong Health Centre and presented to students with the highest achievement in each grade level for mathematics went to: Grade 9, Landon Meade-Pangowish; Grade 10, Kiera Recollet-Trudeau; and Grade 11, Stella Flamand.
The Business Award sponsored by Enaadmaagehjik and presented to a student with the highest achievement in a business studies course went to Chelsea Mandamin-Turner.
The Parents’ Council Attendance Awards, sponsored by Wikwemikong High School Parents’ Council, and presented to a student in each grade with the best attendance throughout the year went to: Grade 9, Justice Manitowabi-Trudeau; Grade 10, Isabella Manitowabi; Grade 11, Daniel Trudeau; and Grade 12, Montana Trudeau.
Academic Excellence Awards, sponsored by Wiikwemkoong Chief and Council are presented to students with the highest overall grade average in each grade. They went to Grade 8, Kobe Espaniel; Grade 9, Kiera Recollet-Trudeau; and Grade 10, Blaine Naokwegijig.
Canada and the World Awards, sponsored by John and Jennifer Capin and presented to students with the highest achievement in a Canadian Studies Course went to Tamara Bondy-Naokwegijig, intermediate; and Blaine Naokwegijig, senior.
The Business Award, sponsored by Enaadmaagehjik and presented to a student with the highest achievement in a business studies course went to Chelsea Mandamin-Turner.
The Trades Award, sponsored by Enaadmaagehjik and presented to a student with the highest achievement in trades-related course went to Vince Naokwegijig.
Mnamaadzawin Physical Education Awards, sponsored by Mnamaadzawin Active Living Studio are presented to students with the highest achievement in healthy active living courses for each grade level went to Mia Pitawanakwat, Grade 9 girls; Justice Manitowabi-Trudeau, Grade 9 boys; Julia Wemigwans, Grade 10 girls; Carmine Wemigwans, Grade 10 boys; and Isabella Manitowabi, senior.
The MacKenzie Nodin Peltier Award, sponsored by Jillian and Lanny Peltier and family was presented to a student who demonstrates resilience and perseverance, was awarded to Montana Trudeau.
The Ross Trudeau Memorial Creative Award, anonymously sponsored and presented to a student who demonstrates achievement in a music or art course, went to Vince Naokwegijg.
The Mooseguy Memorial Land-based Award, also anonymously sponsored and presented to a student who shows interest in land-based learning went to Fabian Recollet-Ominika.
The Hairstyling and Aesthetics Award sponsored by Shears to a New You and presented to a student with the highest achievement in the hairstyling and aesthetics course went to Mercedes Aibens.
The Manitoulin Minor Hockey Award, sponsored by Manitoulin Minor Hockey and presented to a potential graduate who has been involved with Manitoulin Minor Hockey went to Jonas Assinewai.
The Mara University Science Award, sponsored by Chris Mara and Margit Alberti and presented to a student with the highest achievement in a university level science course, went to Sage Eshkawkogan-Recollet.
The Life Skills Class Participation Award, sponsored by Wikwemikong Community Living and presented to a student in the life skills class with the best participation throughout the year went to Allison Abel.
The Wiikwemkoong Heritage Organization Art Award, sponsored by Wiikwemkoong Heritage Organization and presented to a student who demonstrates excellent skill and technique in all art forms went to: Kiera Recollet-Trudeau and Jasmine Staruck, junior; and Mercedes Aibens and Tamara Bondy-Naokwegijig, senior.
The First Nations Studies Award, sponsored by the Wiikwemkoong Heritage Organization and presented to a student with the highest achievement in a First Nations Studies Course went to Chyella George.
The Anishinaabemowin Award, sponsored by the Wikwemikong Heritage Organization and presented to a student who demonstrated achievement and fluency in a Native language course, went to Kiera Recollet-Trudeau, intermediate, and Vince Naokwegijig, senior.
The Anishinabek Nation Science Awards, sponsored by Anishinabek Nation and presented to a student with the highest achievement in a science course went to Kiera Recollet-Trudeau, Grade 9; Gavin Pangowish, Grade 10; and Sage Eshkawkogan-Recollet, senior.
The Wiikwemkoong Tribal Police Service Award, sponsored by Wiikwemkoong Tribal Police Service and presented to a Wiikwemkoong High School graduate who is currently enrolled in a post-secondary program related to law, went to Montana Trudeau.
The Little Current Royal Canadian Legion Award for a graduate pursuing post-secondary education went to Chelsea Mandamin-Turner, Rory Peltier and Montana Trudeau.
The Expositor congratulates all of the award recipients and wishes them every success in their future careers and endeavours.
