More than $250K awarded to LCSS graduates at ceremonies in Williams Lake

Family, friends and staff of School District 27 Lake City Secondary School gathered Friday evening (June 9) in Williams Lake to celebrate the achievements of high school graduates.

The formal occasion, held at Cariboo Memorial Complex, began with members of the Secwépemc, Tsilhqot’in, Dakelh and other Indigenous groups drumming the 226 graduates into Rink 1 where a full house of guests were on hand ready to cheer them on.

After the grads took to their seats which faced the crowd, LCSS principal Curt Levens welcomed guests and introduced graduate Dallas Moe who sang O Canada.

Chief Willie Sellars then took to the podium to give a traditional welcome and territory acknowledgement.

Sellars said the drummers were on hand to add a little bit of cultural and heritage to the convocation “and some of our Indigenous ceremony into this ceremony that we are uplifting these kids for the rest of their lives making it a night to remember.”

“We are here to honour the graduates, we’re here to hold them up and inspire them, but to be honest we are the ones being inspired by them.”

The chief noted the graduates were of Secwepemc, Tsilhqot’in, Dakelh, Nuxalk, Metis and non-Indigenous heritage.

“We are coming together in unity today to celebrate these kids and it’s an honour to be here and to drum and to welcome them to the traditional territory.”

School District 27 trustee Mary Forbes also took to the podium to welcome graduates and guests.

”One of my favourite parts of watching the grads’ procession is the smiles on their faces and the fascinating shoes. Each one is so different, so unique,” said Forbes.

“I think finding your place in the world is like choosing your favourite pair of shoes. You’ll try on a few, some will pinch, some will be too hot, some will be sweaty, but one will be perfect. I hope that each of these amazing grads find their best life and the perfect pair of shoes.”

The number of speeches were fewer this year than past pre-pandemic years, keeping the ceremony to a tight, two hours and 10 minutes. In that time each graduate was called to walk across the stage, receive their diploma, have a handshake with the principal and get their photo taken as a handful of teachers took turns read out their plans for the future and any scholarships or bursaries they may have been awarded.

Following the presentation of the graduates, student Maya Nowotny then delivered her vaedictorian speech, followed by a closing speech from the principal who congratulated students.

In all more than $250,000 in scholarships and bursaries were awarded to graduating students.

They are as follows:

District Authority Awards 2023 for LCSS

a. Indigenous Language and Culture

 Shirane Alexis

 James Cook

 Madison Johnny

 William Lulua

 Jolene Sellars

b. Fine Arts

 Iknoop Bassi

 Heidi Van Beers

 Dallas Moe

 Matero McCassey

 Loren Cawston –

d. Physical Activity

 Morgan Langford

 Reagan West

 Julia Bowman

 Baileigh Stowell

 Maya Nowotny

 Raiden Lainchbury

 Wilson Wedel

e. International Languages

 Mia MacKenzie

f. Community Service

 Colin Sterne

 Shaelynn Dyck

 Pavneet Gill

g. Trades and Technical Training

 Will Roberts

 Jake Worthington

 Mathew Kelly

 Jenna Jessop

 Connor Rankin

 Kagen Russell

School District No. 27 Scholarship and Bursary Award Winners 2023

Chelsea Albrechtsen Intergenerational Program Bursary

 Michael Harvey

 Rachel Loewen

 Leah Lauren

 Sophie Reissner

 Shaelynn Dyck

 Julia Bowman

 Phoenix Sim

 Brody Wilson

 Jake Worthington

 Rebecca Elefson

 Eric Olson

Atlantic Power Corporation Scholarships

 Lucia Johnston – Sciences

 Colby Fradsham – Community Involvement

Big and Beaver Lakes Livestock Association Bursary

 Gabrielle Meier

Henry Bob Memorial Bursary

 Ha Young Park

Bernard Boe Memorial Bursary

 Catherine Arthur

Nino Calabrese Memorial Scholarship

 Wilson Wedel

 Ane Fine

Canadian Parents for French Award

 Kendra Antoniuk

Canadian Royal Purple Bursary

 Sophie Reissner

 James Cook

Cariboo Chilcotin Elder College Bursaries

 Timu Kruus

Cariboo – Chilcotin Principals’ and Vice-Principals’ Association Scholarships and Bursaries

 Charlie Beaulne

 Claire Munroe

 Phillip Brown

 Colby Fradsham

Cariboo – Chilcotin Teachers’ Association Scholarships

 Julia Bowman

 Ciara Reid

 William Lulua

 Maya Nowotny

 Cayden Bouchard

 Claire Munroe

Royce Cook Memorial Bursary

 Charles Beaulne

Cariboo Foundation Society Scholarships

 Britney Bartley

 Weston Brooks

 Rory Wormell-Essex

 Reid Garreau

 David Fait

Cariboo Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Bursaries

 Heidi Van Beers

 Claire Munroe

Cariboo Regional District Bursary

 Finley Dressler

Cariboo Woodlot Education Society Bursary

 Boston Pierce

 Dustin Forster

 Carter Pawluk

 Timu Kruus

Douglas Castling Memorial

 Alexa Dean

 Gabrielle Meier

 Leah Lauren

Catholic Women’s League Bursary

 Daniel Navratil

 Andrew Rud

 Rebecca Elefson

Walter and Cathy Chernoff Leadership Award

 Phillip Brown

Community Arts Council Bursary

 Dallas Moe

 Lucia Johnston

Ryan Corbin Memorial Bursary

 Joe Henley

Cynthia Dare Memorial Scholarship

 Ciara Reid

Sid Davis Memorial

 Boston Pierce

Williams Lake Daybreak Rotary Club Scholarship

 Colby Fradsham

Dhillon and Rai Memorial Bursary

 Seth Bos

Don’t Quit Bursary

 Wilson Wedel

Gordon R. Elliot Memorial Scholarship

 Lucas Kranabetter

2004 Forest Capital Committee Scholarship

 Boston Pierce

FYI Doctors Scholarship

 Morgan Langford

Wallace Evan Ford Memorial Bursary

 Baileigh Stowell

Jack and Hazel Gardner Memorial Bursaries

 Mimi Meyrick

Caleb Gill Memorial

 Ciara Reid

1970 Grad Reunion Bursary

 Carrigan Watson

Leslie Hall Memorial Bursary

 Jenna Jessop

Walter Hardy Memorial Bursary

 Phoenix Stafford

Harris & Company LLP Scholarship

 Taya Novakowski

Horsefly Women’s Institute Memorial Bursaries

 Mimi Meyrick

 Jesse Way

HUB International – Barton Insurance Brokers Bursary

 David Fait

IKON Award

 David Fait

IOUE Bursary

 Joe Henley

JDR Law Bursary

 Mia MacKenzie

Laura Kaufman Memorial

 Leah Lauren

Knights of Columbus Bursaries

 Daniel Navratil

 Lucas Pinette

 Dallas Moe

 Cayden Bouchard

Felix & Maisie Kohnke Memorial Scholarship

 Finley Dressler

Fred & Masako Kozuki Award

 Phillip Brown

Lakers Car Club Bursary

 Kagen Russell

 Brody Wessels

Lake City Secondary Fine Arts Awards (BAND)

 Daniel Navratil

 Hamish Tough

 Alex Combs

 Iknoop Bassi

 Lucas Kranabetter

 Claire Munroe

 Heidi Van Beers

 Timu Kruus

 Treena Phillips

 Britney Bartley

 Dallas Moe

 Andrew Rud

 Jeff Obexer

 Kendra Antoniuk

 Alannah Aggiss

Lake City Secondary School Grow-Operators Bursary

 Mimi Meyrick

 Rachel Kennedy

Lake City Secondary School PAC Bursary

 Mimi Meyrick

 Rebecca Elefson

 Andrew Rud

Lions Club Bursary

 Daniel Navratil

 Matero Mcassey

Masonic Order Bursaries

 James Cook

 Kendra Antoniuk

 Eric Olson

Sharon MacDonald Memorial Bursary

 Lucia Johnston

McMechan Award

 Seth Bos

Medieval Market Emerging Artist Award

 Jaiden Pacholczyk

 Dallas Moe

Bill and Nancy Myckatyn Private Giving Fund (Nicola Wealth Private Giving Foundation)

 Ha Young Park

 Priscilla Quinto

Jason Noble and Marilyn Martin Bursary

 Lucy Plant

Old Age Pensioners Organization (Branch #93) Scholarship

 Niomi Neufeld

Order of the Eastern Star (Princess Pine #67) Bursary

 Eric Olson

Parent Support Group of Sacred Heart School Scholarship

 Lucas Pinette

Roop Rathor Parmar Memorial

 Wilson Wedel

August Martin Piltz Foundation

 Jenna Jessop

 Taya Novakowski

 Evynne Penno

 Nayeli Doerner

PMT Chartered Professional Accountants Robert A. Court Memorial Bursary

 Katelyn Benastick

Punjabi Sports Club Bursary

 Nicholas Speed

RCMP Citizenship Bursaries

 Marissa Sellars

 Maya Nowotny

Trudy Redl Memorial Bursary

 Britney Bartley

Right Photography Bursary

 Abigail Kowalewski

Royal Canadian Legion Branch #139 Bursaries

 Seth Bos

 Colin Sterne

A.G. Scott Estate Scholarship

 Niomi Neufeld

 Baileigh Stowell

 Pavneet Gill

 Heidi Van Beers

 Alex Combs

 Phoenix Stafford

 Kaytlin Skuratow

 Cristelle Panida

 Tatum McKeown

Jordan Siegmueller Memorial Bursary

 Gabriela Smith Forzzani

 Trent Thiessen

Skipp – Latin Memorial Golf Scholarship

 Cole Skerry

Skipp – Twan Memorial Rodeo Scholarship

 William Roberts

Soda Creek Truckers’ Association Bursary

 Ryan Rife

 Alex Combs

 Treena Phillips

South Cariboo Bar Association Scholarship

 Iknoop Bassi

Taseko Mines – Creating Opportunities Scholarship

 Kalub Scaiano

 Rebecca Elefson

Tolko Industries Ltd. Scholarships

 Lakeview

o Lucas Kranabetter

o Morgan Langford

 Soda Creek

o Julia Landry

o Alannah Aggiss

 Woodlands

o Ryan Rife

o Charlie Beaulne

UNIFOR Bursaries

 Hamish Tough

 Cole Skerry

 Lauryn Marklinger

 Jeremy LaBelle

 Jeff Hollowell

United Steel Workers Local I-425 Bursaries

 Weston Brooks

Kyle Vigeant Memorial

 Gabriela Smith Forzzani

Vision for the Future Award

 Kendra Antoniuk

Ronald and Jean Duncan Waite Memorial Scholarships

 Keeley Grisdale

 Kennedy Nohr-Stangoe

 Daniel Wernbacher

 Angel Mitchell

 Kolby Croswell

Weldwood Truckers’ Association Bursary

 Keeley Grisdale

West Fraser Mills Ltd. Williams Lake Plywood Division Bursaries

 Kendra Antoniuk

 Iknoop Bassi

West Fraser Mills Ltd. Williams Lake Lumber Division Scholarships

 Dallas Ruyter

 Cole Aumond

 Dustin Forster

West Fraser Mills Ltd. Williams Lake Woods Department Scholarships

 Baileigh Stowell

 Ariel Billyboy

 Carter Pawluk

West Fraser Truckers’ Association Bursary

 Pavneet Gill

West Fraser Truckers’ Association Scholarships

 Rachel Kennedy

 Jeff Obexer

 Treena Phillips

 Katelyn Benastick

 Dustin Forster

 Ariel Billyboy

Williams Lake Community Forest Youth Award

 Carter Pawluk

 Dallas Ruyter

 Boston Pierce

 Timu Kruus

 Alannah Aggiss

 Reagan West

 Morgan Langford

Williams Lake and District Chamber of Commerce Bursary

 Sophie Reissner

Williams Lake and District Credit Union Bursaries

 Taya Novakowski

 Darby Cail

 Andreas Marty

Williams Lake Field Naturalists’ Bursary

 Winter McLaughlin

Williams Lake Fire Department Auxiliary Bursary

 Phoenix Sim

Williams Lake High School Rodeo Club Bursaries

 Kagen Russell

 William Roberts

Williams Lake Log Haulers Scholarships and Bursaries

 Ryan Rife

 Phoenix Stafford

 Alex Combs

 Treena Phillips

Williams Lake Medical Staff Scholarships

 Reagan West

 Rachel Loewen

Williams Lake Minor Hockey Association Scholarships

 Kenny Lowen Memorial – Dallas Moe

 Leon Whitford Memorial – Cole Skerry

 Danielle Helmer Memorial – Ariel Billyboy

 Tyler Tenning Memorial – Dustin Forster

Williams Lake Daybreak Rotary Club Bursary

 Colby Fradsham

Williams Lake Rotary Club Bursary

 Matero Mcassey

 Gabrielle Meier

Williams Lake Stampede Association Scholarship

 Lucia Johnston

Williams Lake Student Support Fund Bursary

 Sophie Reissner

Williams Lake Woodlot W1579 Bursary

 Lucia Johnston

Williams Lake Youth Soccer Bursary

 Ciara Reid

 Raiden Lainchbury

 Maya Nowotny

Bob Rogerson Memorial Scholarship (WLYSA)

 Timu Kruus

Jack Wong Memorial

 Ella Carson

Ken Wright Memorial Bursary (San Jose Logging)

 Ryan Rife

Harriet Zirnhelt Memorial Bursary

 Jaiden Pacholczyk

Zirnhelt Timber Framing Bursary

 Cole Skerry

Group #1 – Cariboo Foundation Society (Danielle Helmer, Levitt & Weingart Elite Rugby Players Award, Graham Pritchard Rugby Dedication Award, and Glen Jackson Memorial)

 Gabriela Smith Forzzani

Group #2 – Cariboo Foundation Society (Rob Stobbe Memorial, Donald Sutherland Memorial, and Brett Preston Memorial)

 Alexa Dean

Group #3 – Cariboo Foundation Society (Glendale School/Irene Griffith Memorial, Satre-Graham King Memorial, and Jack Van Diest Memorial)

 Shirane Alexis

Group #4 – Cariboo Foundation Society (Shelley Fullerton Memorial and Joan MacDonald Memorial)

 Winter McLaughlin

Group #5 – Cariboo Foundation Society (Nancy Leggett Memorial, Lyman Thompson Memorial, and Rory Wickes Memorial)

 Gabrielle Meier

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Graduation 2023School District No 27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin)Williams Lake