Killarney Guide

BY JAY STRUTH

It was a wonderful and very warm Wednesday afternoon, as 22 Grade 12 students crossed the stage to receive their diplomas this week. 

The graduation ceremony on the Killarney School grounds was a fitting tribute to the 2022 grads, who had another less than normal school year, but managed to finish it all off in fine style and restriction free. 

Valedictorians Sierra Cuvelier and Russell Outhwaite, who both won multiple awards and scholarships at the ceremony, delivered a heartfelt speech to their graduating class, their teachers, and their parents. 

Then it was time for the grand march and the parade around town on flatbed trailers, which has become a tradition since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

With restrictions lifted, it also meant the return of the grad banquet and all it entails.

At the banquet, Halle Kachur and Garrett MacDonald gave the toast to the teachers with the teachers’ response by Mrs. Wendy Lovett. Aiden Heinrichs and Bailey Pauls were in charge of toasting to the grads. Emily Hall and Suzy Merkel delivered the toast to the parents, while Ryan Heinrichs answered back with a toast to the grads.

Congratulations to the Class of 2022 on a challenging finish to their high school careers. A list of the bursary, scholarship, and award winners follows.

Benevolent Protective Order of Elks Bursary: Halle Kachur, Sierra Cuvelier. Killarney Elks Special Achievement Award: Kerriann Ponask. Killarney Royal Canadian Legion #25 Bursary: Russell Outhwaite. Killarney Royal Canadian Legion Branch #25 Scholarship: Halle Kachur. Heide Enterprises Inc. Scholarship: Aiden Heinrichs. James Gary Campbell Memorial Scholarship: Charles Hardy. Boundary Consumers Co-op Graduation Bursary: Halle Kachur. Boundary Consumers Co-op Team Member Scholarship: Sierra Cuvelier. Struth Publishing Scholarship: Kieran DeBacker. The Senior Band Director’s Award: Ethan Sanders. Frank and Ethel White Memorial Scholarship: Ethan Sanders. Tri-Lake Health Centre Auxiliary Award: Suzy Merkel. Westoba Credit Union Business Education Award: Kieran DeBacker. Westoba Credit Union Agricultural Award: Russell Outhwaite. Westman Communications Group Scholarship: Halle Kachur. Turtle Mountain Teacher’s Association Scholarship Award: Halle Kachur. Killarney Kinsmen Club Bursary: Ethan Sanders. The Gordon Bartley Memorial Agriculture Bursary: Aiden Heinrichs. The Lewis & Jones Group Scholarship Award: Sierra Cuvelier. Doric Lodge 36 Ancient Free & Accepted Masons Award: Suzy Merkel. Killarney Kinsmen Club Bursary: Sierra Cuvelier. Killarney Foundation Bursary: Kieran DeBacker, Russell Outhwaite, Sierra Cuvelier. Turtle Mountain Social Justice Award: Sierra Cuvelier. Frank and Queenie Collyer Scholarship: Sierra Cuvelier. Dora Trump Estate Scholarship: Suzy Merkel. Gordon Bartley Memorial Agriculture Bursary: Sierra Cuvelier. Clements Bursary: Sierra Cuvelier. University of Manitoba Chown Centennial Scholarship: Sierra Cuvelier. Coaches Award for Excellence in Athletics: Russell Outhwaite. MHSAA Scholar Athlete Award: Russell Outhwaite. Order of the Royal Purple: Kieran DeBacker. Governor General’s Bronze Medal:  Sierra Cuvelier.

2022 GRADS – Back row (from left): Charles Hardy, Ethan Sanders, Aiden Heinrichs, Wyatt Sunaert, Tyler Dobson, Russell Outhwaite, Gage Nafziger, Garrett MacDonald, Kieran DeBacker, Jerimiah Main, Kerriann Ponask. Middle row: Emily Hall, Suzy Merkel, Halle Kachur, Quinn McMullen, Madison McIntyre, Bailey Pauls, Mackenzie Pauls, Ava Paul, Sierra Cuvelier. Front row: Adrian Tschetter and Paul Pablico. Watch The Guide next week for coverage of Cartwright School’s graduating class.

CLASS PHOTO/BLAYRE IVES PHOTOGRAPHY

VALEDICTORIANS – Heavily awarded and graduating Magna Cum Laude, Russell Outhwaite and Sierra Cuvelier were chosen as valedictorians for their class. They delivered a moving speech to their classmates, teachers, family and friends. See more on their biggest awards below.

GOVERNOR GENERAL’S BRONZE MEDAL – Sierra Cuvelier was the recipient of the Governor General’s Bronze Medal, which is awarded to the Killarney School graduate with the highest academic average. Principal Terry Beazley presented the medal on behalf of the Governor General. Principal Beazley is retiring at the end of June after working as principal for Killarney School since 2000. Congratulations Terry on an amazing career!

MHSAA SCHOLAR ATHLETE AWARD – Russell Outhwaite (left) was one of only four in Manitoba to receive the MHSAA Scholar Athlete Award. These $1,000 scholarships are awarded to graduating high school student athletes who maintained a minimum 85 per cent average and competed in at least two interscholastic sports. Outhwaite and his co-valedictorian Sierra Cuvelier both received multiple awards and scholarships at the graduation ceremony.

CAPPING IT OFF – Killarney School’s Grads of 2022 capped off Wednesday afternoon’s graduation ceremony by throwing their caps in the air. Keep scrolling for photos from their parade through town below.

JAY STRUTH/KILLARNEY GUIDE PHOTOS

GRADS ON PARADE – From South Railway Street to Broadway Avenue, the Killarney School Grads of 2022 paraded through the streets after the graduation ceremonies on Wednesday afternoon.

STEFEN STRUTH/KILLARNEY GUIDE