Thirty-two students graduated from Princeton Secondary School (PSS) Saturday, June 18 and shared nearly $35,000 in prizes, bursaries and scholarships.
PSS vice-principal Crystal Larsen said she marvels each year at how local businesses and groups contribute to the awards program.
“Support from our community is unbelievable when it comes to grads. I don’t know the statistics, but I’m sure per capita we’ve got to be up there with the best in the province,” Larsen said.
Grads were recognized for academic excellence, citizenship, athletic achievements, volunteering, spirit, and artistic excellence, while others received awards specifically to support future plans, for example to study health care, or trades.
Rylee Forde was the top prize winner, pocketing $6,250 which will help her as she pursues a career in education. She is also one of two students, along with Dakota Adam, vying for a $2,000 scholarship from the Princeton District Teachers Union. That award goes each year to the student with the highest marks during Grades 11 and 12.
Larsen noted it will be several weeks until final scores are calculated, and at present only .2 per cent separates the contenders.
The winner of the scholarship also receives the coveted Governor General’s Award for highest grades.
Forde, who will take a year to work and earn money for school, plans to become a high school science teacher, said she was overwhelmed with the number of prizes she received.
“I was quite surprised,” she said. “I’m super grateful though.”
Of particular meaning to Forde was the Michelle Webster Memorial Bursary, which has been awarded for 30 years to remember the PSS Grade 12 student who died in a car accident.
Webster was Forde’s mother’s best friend in high school, and Forde’s middle name is Michelle.
“That was pretty special.”
Payton Creston was the second highest award winner, taking home $3,750. She was closely followed by Adam, with $3,500.
The following awards were presented:
Gabriel Maaske - $500 Shoppers Drug Mart, $1,000.00 Larson Family Endowment
Maddisen Fulton - $100 Jennifer Shaun Cusworth Memorial, $300.00 Princeton Posse, $1,000.00 Larson Family Endowment
Elias Frost - $500 Princeton Garden Club, $500 Copper Mountain Mine
Natalie Yurkowski - $700 Trehearne family $500 Princeton Hospital Auxiliary, $1,000 Weyerhaeuser Legacy Fund, $1,250 Dogwood District Scholarship
Payton Cranston - $500 Copper Mountain Mine, $1,250 Dogwood District Scholarship, $1,000 Rebecca Folick Memorial Scholarship, $1,000 Princeton Racing Days
Rylee Forde - $500 Copper Mountain Mine, $500 CUPE #847, $1,250 Dogwood District Scholarship, $500 Educators for Educators, $500 Nicola Similkameen Principals and Vice Principals Association, $500 Envirogreen Technologies, $500 Grad Legacy, $1,000 Princeton Rotary Bud deWolfe Memorial Bursary, $1,000 Michelle Webster Memorial Bursary
Piper Manning - $500 Envirogreen Technologies, $1,000 Princeton Rotary Bill Husoon Memorial Bursary
Devon Harrison - $500 Copper Mountain Mine, $1,000 George Peakes Royal Canadian Legion, $500 Princeton Minor Hockey, $500 SCB Firemaster $500 Cody Rice Memorial Award
Caprice Roccamatissi - $500 Crimson Tine Bursary
Taya Adams - $1,000 Princeton Arts Council, $1,250 Dogwood District Scholarship
Dakota Adam - $1,250 Dogwood District Scholarship, $250 Christine Perkins Human Rights Society, $1,000 Vermilion Forks Metis Association, $1,000 Princeton Rotary William A. Irwin Endowment Fund
Gillian van Genne - $1,250 Dogwood District Scholarship, $500 Princeton Hospital Auxiliary, $1,000 Weyerhaeuser Legacy Fund
Cheyanne D - $500 Educational Support Bursary
Noah Vandergulik - $1,000 George Peakes Royal Canadian Legion
Related: Princeton graduates commended for their success during difficult times
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