The C. A. Nesbitt Arena was the place where parents, relatives and friends of the 153 graduates from R. D. Parker Collegiate in Thompson gathered to witness the handing out of diplomas and reception of scholarships on June 26.
The event featured a friendship walk, where the graduates walked in pairs through a decorated archway to sit with the rest of their Grade 12 class in their red caps and gowns. There were also performances by the R. D. Parker band and choir students and an Honour Song from aboriginal group the Lady Thunderbirds.
Of the 153 students, 31 graduated with honours or honours with distinction, including Amanda Battams, Jesse Bertram, Sonam Bhagria, Chad Bodie, Melissa Bowser, Samuel Brett, Christopher Briggs, Tiffanie Bruneau, Kristyn Campbell, Hugh Crawford, Jade Daigle, Suzanne Davies, Alaura Dudley, Chantel Gaslard, Matthew Hanke, Adelle Harman, Kayla Henning, Mandi Layden, Jessica Mason, Gregory Monias, Kaidie Morris, Tia Morrissey, Mary O'Handley, Donald Palmer, Anjali Pandey, Hannah Pruder, Sariviea Rogers, Jordan Ryan, Sara Shea, Sean Stewart and Aman Thethy.
The Army, Navy & Air Force Veterans scholarship went to Hugh Crawford, the Business and Professional Women scholarship went to Jessica Mason, and the Ma Mow We Tak Friendship Centre scholarship went to Mary O'Handley. The Ruth Gordon Memorial scholarship went to Chantel Gaslard, the Thompson Gas Bar Co-op scholarship went to Suzanne Davies, and the Beta Sigma Phi memorial scholarship went to Kristyn Campbell. Greg Monias was the recipient of the Burntwood Curling Club scholarship, and Chantal Kissick received the Canadian Parents for French scholarship. The Immigrant Women's Association scholarship went to Sonam Bhagria, the McDonald Huberdeau scholarship went to Sara Shea, and the Mystery Lake Lodge #174 scholarship went to Rikki Spear. The Sikh Society of Thompson gave out scholarships to Sonam Bhagria, Aman Thethy, Kamal Sidhu and Sunny Gandhi. The Thompson Minor Hockey Association scholarship went to Devon Holmes, the Arnold
Morberg Memorial scholarship went to Patrick Beaulieu, and the Rotary Club gave Patrick Beaulieu and Chad Bodie both scholarships. The Music Parents' Association gave out a scholarship to Greg Monias, the Prom Committee gave a scholarship to Kaidie Morris, and the Thompson Golf Club gave scholarships out to Kaidie Morris, Greg Monias and Alex McLellan. Jarett Beck, Chantel Gaslard and Sonam Bhagria received scholarships from the Royal Canadian Legion Ladies Auxiliary, while the Safe Grad Committee gave ones out to Kaidie Morris and Kayla Henning. The United Steelworkers of America Local 6166 gave out scholarships to Christopher Briggs, Mandi Layden and Kaidie Morris, and the Thompson Lions Club gave out scholarships to Sean Stewart and Tiffanie Bruneau. Patrick Beaulieu received the Arthur Sanche Memorial, and the Knights of Columbus scholarship went to Chantel Gaslard. The Kerri Brown memorial scholarship went to Anjali Pandey, and the Jevon Mastrangelo Memorial scholarship went to Kailee Zimmerman and Alex McLellan. The Thompson Teachers Association scholarships went out to Suzanne Davies, Sheldon Saunders, Greg Monias, Hugh Crawford, Sean Stewart, Chantal Kissick, Sam Brett and Devon Holmes. Jade Daigle received the Chown Centennial Scholarship, and Mathew Backhouse received the MTS Young Humanitarians Award. The Manitoba Youth Leadership scholarship and the Kinette Club of Thompson scholarship went to Mary O'Handley, while the Youth Aboriginal Council Graduating Members scholarships went to Alexander Spence, Dean Nilghe and Shane Paynter. The Vocational Teachers Association of Manitoba scholarship went to Patrick Beaulieu, and the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #224 scholarships went to Jarett Beck and Chantel Gaslard. The R. D. Parker award went to Chantal Gaslard. All scholarship recipients were decided by the individual organization giving out the awards.
During his valedictorian address, Sam Brett talked about how high school wasn't just a scholarly education process, but a life education process as well, and reminisced on memorable moments both inside and outside of the classroom.
"We need to take a step back, look at ourselves and figure out what we really want in life," he said. "Life is all about the journey, not the destination. People that tell you that high school is the best years of your life are usually the ones who never went anywhere after high school...live your own life, not the life others want you to live...I encourage you to get out there, try new things, and take away from it as much as you can."
The Governor General's Bronze Medal award, which is give to the student with the highest grades in both Grade 11 and Grade 12, was given to Anjali Pandey.
