WIIKWEMKOONG—The students and staff of Wiikwemkoong High School were decked out in style to celebrate their academic successes and dance the evening away during the school’s 25th Annual Christmas Gala and Awards Ceremony. The gala was held on Friday, December 1 in the school gymnasium.
The evening was hosted by Vice Principal Cameryn Beaudry who acted as master of ceremonies.
Lisa Osawamick and Warrior Kweok started out the evening with an honour song, followed by welcoming remarks from Principal Harold Fox.
There were plenty of awards on hand. The first being the Canada and the World Awards, sponsored by John and Jennifer Capin. These awards are presented to students with the highest achievement in a Canadian Studies Course. The 2022-2023 recipients were: Intermediate: Hope Eshkibok, Jasmine Staruck and Ryley Wassegijig-Migwans, while senior awards were presented to Tryce Francis and Blaine Naokwegijig.
The Business Award, sponsored by Enaadmaagehjik (Wiikwemkoong Development Corporation) are presented to students with the highest achievement in a business studies course. The 2022-2023 recipients were Janelle Dokum and Amelia Osawanimiki.
The Trades Award, also sponsored by Enaadmaagehjik, is presented to a student with the highest achievement in a trades-related course. The 2022-2023 recipient was Brannon Wassengeso.
The Hairstyling and Aesthetics Award, sponsored by Shears to a New You, is presented to a student with the highest achievement in a Hairstyling and Aesthetics course. The 2022-2023 recipient was Hailey Trudeau.
The Life Skills Class Participation Award, sponsored by Wikwemikong Community Living, is presented to a student in the Life Skills class with the best participation throughout the year. The 2022-2023 recipient was Indiana Flamand-Pitawanakwat.
The Manitoulin Fine Arts Association Award is presented to a graduate who demonstrates interest and skill in art. The 2022-2023 recipient was Stella Flamand.
The Grade 9 Native Language Award, sponsored by Peggy Pitawanakwat and Bernie Brant, is presented to a student with the highest achievement in a Grade 9 Native Language Course. The 2022-2023 recipient was Hudson Jocko.
The Wikwemikong Heritage Organization Award is presented to a student who demonstrates excellent skill and technique in all art forms. The 2022-2023 recipients were Junior: Hope Eshkibok and Senior: Brianna Mishibinijima.
The First Nations Studies Award, sponsored by the Wikwemikong Heritage Organization, is presented to a student with the highest achievement in a First Nations Studies course. The 2022-2023 recipient was Landon Meade-Pangowish.
The Anishnaabemowin Award, sponsored by the Wikwemikong Heritage Organization, is presented to a student who demonstrated achievement and fluency in a Native Language course. The 2022-2023 recipients are Intermediate: Hudson Jocko and Senior: Janelle Dokum.
The Mathematics Scholar Awards, sponsored by the Wikwemikong Health Centre, are presented to students with the highest achievement in each grade level for Mathematics. The 2022-2023 recipients are Grade 9: Oksana Nootchtai, Grade 10: Landon Meade-Pangowish and Grade 11: Cadence Aibens.
The Wiikwemkoong Board of Education English Scholar Awards, sponsored by the Wiikwemkoong Board of Education, are presented to students with the highest achievement in English courses at each level. The 2022-2023 recipients were: Junior, Julia Wemigwans; Intermediate, Amelia Osawanimiki; and Senior, Julia Wemigwans.
The Manitoulin Expositor Award is presented to a student in the workplace pathway with the highest achievement in a Workplace English Course. The 2022-2023 recipient is Haley Manitowabi-Trudeau.
The 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.
The 2022-2023 recipients were: Grade 9 girls, Emma Recollet; Grade 9 boys, Hudson Jocko; Grade 10 girls, Aaliyah Osawamick-Scarlett; Grade 10 boys, Hudson Jocko; and Senior, Isabella Manitowabi.
The Co-operative Education Award, sponsored by the Andrew Manitowabi Group, is presented to a student with the highest achievement in the Co-operative Education Program. The 2022-2023 recipient was Amelia Osawanimiki.
The Manitoulin Nature Club Bursary, sponsored by the Manitoulin Nature Club, is presented to a student who has made a tangible contribution to the Land-Based Learning Program. The 2022-2023 recipient: is Aiden Neganegijig-Ballyk.
The Little Current Royal Canadian Legion Award, Branch 177, is presented to a graduate student pursuing post-secondary education. The 2022-2023 recipient is Aiden Neganegijig-Ballyk.
The Environment and Resource Management Awards, sponsored by Wikwemikong Tech Services, is presented to a student with the highest achievement in the Environment and Resource Management course. The 2022-2023 recipient was Dakota Mishibinijima.
The Ross Trudeau Memorial Creative Award, anonymously sponsored, is presented to a student who demonstrates achievement in a music or art course. The 2022-2023 recipient was Jasmine Staruck.
The Mooseguy Memorial land-based Award, also sponsored anonymously, is presented to a graduate who shows interest in Land-Based Learning. The 2022-2023 recipient was Dorral Recollet.
The Mackenzie Nodin Peltier Award, sponsored by Jillian and Lanny Peltier and family, is presented to a student who demonstrates resilience and perseverance. The 2022-2023 recipient was Stella Flamand.
The Anishinabek Nation Science Awards, sponsored by the Anishinabek Nation, are presented to students with the highest achievement in a science course. The 2022-2023 recipients were: Grade 9, Aaliyah Osawamick-Scarlett; Grade 10, Jasmine Staruck and Senior, Aiden Neganegijig-Ballyk.
The Parent Council Attendance Awards, sponsored by the Wiikwemkoong High School Parent Council are presented to a student in each grade with the best attendance throughout the year. The 2022-2023 recipients are: Grade 9, Brady Recollet; Grade 10, Andrew Tabachak; Grade 11, Blaine Naokwegijig; and Grade 12, Stella Flamand.
Academic Excellence Awards, sponsored by the Wiikwemkoong chief and council, are presented to students with the highest overall grade average in each grade. The 2022-2023 recipients were: Grade 8, Ava Wakegijig; Grade 9, Hudson Jocko; Grade 10, Jasmine Staruck; Grade 11, Amelia Osawanimiki; and Grade 12, Ben Lewis.
An honour song performed by Lisa Osawamick and Warrior Kweok closed out the awards, followed by congratulatory remarks from Wiikwemkoong Board of Education portfolio holder Marcia Trudeau-Bomberry. Education Director Maureen Peltier then delivered her remarks praising the student’s accomplishments.
The organizing committee for the awards night and gala were Candi Cheechoo, Erika Kaboni, Valerie O’Leary, Jillian Peltier and Krista Ziemanis. The board, staff and students offered a g’chi-miigwetch to all of the awards and gala sponsors and to the Wiikwemkoong High School maintenance staff.
The evening concluded with staff and students dancing the night away.
