WildCats celebrate scholastic milestones and achievements

Widdifield Secondary School staff celebrated their students' scholastic milestones and achievements with their annual Academic Awards Ceremony Wednesday night.

Faculty members and students beamed with pride as they crossed the stage to hand out and receive the awards, a pleasure matched only by the equally proud parents, grandparents and friends smiling back at the recipients from the audience.

Grade 12 student and award winner Hailey Van Nood sums up the events in the article she submitted to Baytoday:

*****

The sound of happiness and the electric spirit was alive at Widdifield Secondary School’s Academic Awards Wednesday evening.

Family, teachers and the academic students of Widdifield gathered in the school auditorium to celebrate a truly remarkable year.

The event shared the achievements of students who never hesitate to dive into new oceans of understanding, who thirst for knowledge, and always strive for growth.

The teachers who presented each award did so with power, and each speech was delivered in a genuine way, while never forgetting to embrace the laughter of the given moment.

Each and every dedicated student received their award which always reciprocated by a beaming smile that lit up the room. But those certificates and medals weren’t just awards -- they were reflective of the truthful passion, the rigorous effort, and undeniable care, that was present in everything these students created.

This incredible integrity was evident in them as they powered onto the stage. Most importantly, the awards truly acknowledged a wonderful spectrum of people who continue to march on, even when they are pressed to push through mountains. This year of outstanding educational progress would not have been made possible without the perseverance of the students, and the substance of the incredible staff that delivered their passions with such openness and freedom. These passions allowed me, as well as the rest of the students, to become the individuals we never dreamt of being.

This spirit gave us, the students, the choice to discover their own path, and the privilege to understand. The school as a complete, whole community was absolutely stirring with emotion, pride, and, ultimately, love.

The night ended with an always powerful speech from Mrs. O’Kane who awarded Katie Fettes the Principals award; an achievement given to the most dedicated student possessing incredible determination in all that they do. Katie received a standing ovation as she accepted the award, as we all knew that she is much more than an involved, powerful leader. She is a mother to me, and every single student at Widdifield, and we cheered her on in every way we could. But we were also congratulating ourselves, because we all see pieces of ourselves in Katie. She is reflective of Widdifield as a whole, and she always carries us all in her vast heart.

These individuals showed everyone in that auditorium who they are and the audience was all the more richer for it.

Widdifield, means the world to me, and every single one of those students, and tonight was a representation of our profound accomplishments.

Although we are just one school in the midst of a massive country, it is true that Widdifield is a vital stepping stone in all of our lives. As we progress through the rest of our lives we will be assured that this school filled our world at this time, and ultimately gave us the spark to promote change in our lives to come.

Special thanks to everyone who assisted in the ceremony, for it would not have been possible without all of you!

Congratulations to every single one of the students; everyone in the room felt your contagious passion! It was a night to be remembered and it was a night that defined the message “education is not preparation for life; education is life itself”-John Dewey