G R A D U A T IO N

JU N E 23R D A N D 24TH 2021

Class of 2021

Kingston Collegiate and Vocational Institute/Kingston Secondary School

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2020‐2021 STAFF  

Principals: Darlene Scarle & Talya McKenna Vice‐Principals:  Margaret Connelly, Lonny Gibson & Bryan Lambert

Ahmad, Hudabia Alexander, Gareth Allum, Andrew Anderson, Lauren Andre a, Ann Marie Ash, Mackenzie Babcock, Jack Bartolo, Chris Beals, Bonnie Bearse, Rachel Beye e, Susan Blackstock, John Borenko, Laura Bradlynn, Bety Brash, Logan Brennan, Brad Brouillard, Katherine Bushell, Charles Cameron, David Campbell, Ma hew Caravan, Kelli Carrière, Marc Carquez, Rick Chambers, Deirdre Chambers, Jordan Clement, Ryan Compeau, Kyle Corkey, Tonya Crook, Jo‐Anne Cross, Tim Davis, Helen Delva, Luke De Rooy, Jordan Evans, Angela

Farahani, Beverly Farquharson, Leslie Ferguson, Tamiko Fitzgerald, Kyle Ford, Elizabeth Foreman, Lexa Fraser, Kevin Funkenhauser, Kurt Garrod, Wes Ga o, Jason Gauthier‐Jolliffe, Emilie Gillespie, Tania Gollogly, Kris na Graham Burra, Katherine Grew, Adrian Haberer, Stephan Hale, Julia Hamilton, Emma‐Jane Hannah, David Harrison‐Priddle, Cole Hargrove, Tracy Howie, Stephanie Huskilson, Helena Irvine, Karen James, Kim Kellar, Amy Kiley, Rob Kinach, Brodie Kirby, Meaghan Koob, Megan Kreick, Sarah Lambert, Tammy Laird, Robert Laughlin, Jennifer

Lienhard, Max Llew‐Williams, Laurie Loken, David Loughlin, Laurie Lynn, Adam MacDonald, Amanda Mason, Lynne McKay, John McConkey, Sheri McLachlin, Michelle McLaughlin, Glenn McLeod, Ma McNamara, Mark Millar, Larry Moore, Ruth Morris‐Pocock, Bonney Munro, Kyla Munroe, Caroline Nielson, Leif Party, Chris Penny, Liane Poling, Ryan Prac cante, Nelia Prendergast, Deanne Purbhoo‐Hayter– Adrienne Randle, Melissa Reid, Tina Rose, Fraser Rymal, Morgann Saunders, Ma Schacter‐Tribe, Dylan Siltanen, Kirs Steele, Callum Stewart, Heather

Switzer, Rob Thompson, Cory Thorne, Kim Timmins, Kris e Vanhooser, Shaun Warren, Gary Watson, Adam Wa , Brandon Whi ield, Joanne Willsteed, Becky Witherspoon, Eric Wood, Kevin Woods, Dominique Wyncoll, Erica

Congratulations, Retiring Staff! Jack Babcock, John Blackstock, Helen Davis, Laurie Llew‐Williams and Ma Saunders

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School Council Chairs: Ruhi Snyder

Dee Whitmarsh

Greetings from LDSB Associate Superintendent, Steve Hedderson The Graduates of 2021 are an inspiring cohort of students who have shown perseverance, resiliency, and strength during unprecedented mes. Graduates, as your secondary school journey comes to a close, remember that throughout your school experiences you have gained incredible knowledge and skills, which will serve as a strong founda on moving forward.

You have spent years forging friendships and building community, and this doesn’t change simply because you have graduated. Stay connected, and con nue to surround yourself with people who support you, who are a posi ve influ‐ence, and who make you happy.

As you begin your next adventure, set goals for yourself and consider what brings you joy. Work towards achieving those goals, and remember that you travel your own path. Count on your friends and family to support you, appreci‐ate and offer kindness to others, and remember to live your best life. Congratula ons to the Graduates of 2021!

Steve Hedderson, Associate Superintendent of Programs and ITS

Greetings from Area Trustee, Tom Gingrich I am honoured to bring gree ngs and congratula ons from the Limestone District School Board of Trustees to the gradua ng class of 2021.

Today marks the culmina on of four years of hard work and dedica on to your studies. It is a me to acknowledge and celebrate your achievements, your experiences, your friendships, and your wishes and hopes for the future. You have made sacrifices over the past pandemic year, and while challenging, you have successfully navigated the final year of your high school career. You will forever remember your mes in this school, and your important role as part of a caring and resilient community.

I hope you take some me to celebrate your wonderful accomplishment during this extraordinary me in history. You have shown us that anything is possible if you believe in yourself. As you move on to your next chapter, stay posi ve and con nue to learn and lean upon the solid founda on you have received.

I would also like to extend our gra tude to school staff and administra on, and to families and the larger school com‐munity for their con nued support of all students. By working together, we have helped prepare these graduates for future milestones.

I offer you our most sincere best wishes as you enter the next chapter of your journey. Congratula ons!

Tom Gingrich, Trustee of Kingscourt‐Rideau & King’s Town and Joy Morning, Trustee of Williamsville & Sydenham

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Graduation Remarks from KSS Principal, Darlene Scarlett Congratula ons to the first gradua ng class of Kingston Secondary School.

The last 15 months of the pandemic have been challenging for students around the world. You have persevered and successfully completed your Ontario Secondary School Diploma and I am honoured to celebrate this incredible accomplishment with you. In addi on, you moved mid‐year from Kingston Collegiate and Voca onal Ins tute, your school since grade nine, to the new Kingston Secondary School. I have been inspired by the way students have adapted and made the best of the pandemic restric ons by enthusias cally engaging in on‐line classes and provid‐ing leadership and ge ng involved in various clubs and ac vi es. The “Together we Can” a ‐tude of senior students is evident in your leadership through these challenging days. You have made a posi ve difference to peers, younger students, teachers, and community members. I am extremely proud of how you have managed these challenges and I am confident that you will make a posi ve impact on the lives of others as you move on from Kingston Secondary School.

As you con nue to follow your chosen pathways from Kingston Secondary School, remember to live your lives and build rela onships with others with a focus on love, kindness, and compassion for others. The pandemic has made us all appreciate the in‐person connec ons we make and how important it is to foster and build long‐las ng rela onships with others.

We are presen ng each graduate with a special package to celebrate this momentous occasion which includes the following: your academic accomplishments, a Class of 2021 Kingston Secondary School pin, and your me capsule wri ng that you completed in grade nine. We hope you cherish the fact that you are making history today as the first gradua ng class of Kingston Secondary School.

Graduates, please make me to show gra tude to those people who have helped support you along your educa onal journey: parents/guardians, family members, educa onal assistants, support staff, teachers, and friends.

To the Kingston Secondary School staff: Your commitment to the success of students is greatly appreciated as you have played an instrumental role in helping our graduates achieve their goals.

On behalf of the en re staff and Kingston Secondary School community, it has been my privilege to work with the first gradua ng class of Kingston Secondary School. Congratula ons to the Class of 2021!

Darlene Scarle

Principal Kingston Secondary School

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Graduation Remarks from Former Principal of KSS, Talya McKenna This gradua ng class has overcome many challenges this school year, including moving from KCVI to Kingston Secondary School and con nuing to deal with this ongoing pandemic. We are so proud of you as you have shown true grit and resilience.

You are the proof that each of you carry the special quality of flexibility that you will use to create a new and be er future for the world. I have never been more proud of you, our cur‐rent grads, in what you will accomplish as you move on from Kingston Secondary School.

I have two wishes for you. As you con nue to grow and learn that you will accept others, embrace people’s differences, and always choose to be kind.

My second wish for you is to con nue to cul vate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, give thanks con nuously, but understand that all of your rela on‐ships, experiences and support have contributed to your advancement! The people who have touched your life, the experiences you have shared here, both posi ve and challenging have made you who you are, and you are richer and stronger for it!

Graduates, please take the me to thank those people who have helped support you along the way: your parents/guardians and family members, your teachers, and your friends.

On behalf of the en re staff and our Kingston Secondary School community, it has been a privilege to work with you and your families. Congratula ons to the Class of 2021!

Talya McKenna  

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CLASS of 2021– ONTARIO SECONDARY SCHOOL DIPLOMAS & CERTIFICATES

* Honour Roll: Students who have achieved a minimum 80% average in six courses taken this school year.

+ Ontario Scholars: Students who have achieved a minimum 80% average in six grade 12 courses over their last two years.

Abbink, Sydney*+ Abdalla‐Alryani, Dounia+ Abraha, Daniel*+ Abu Hijleh, Abdel Rahman (Abed)*+ Addison, Karlee Ahmad, Rida*+ Aird‐Tousignant, Camille*+ Alexander, Spens*+ Anagnostopoulos, Athan*+ Assels ne, Rayna+ Azroy, Arman*+ Baird, Jackson* Ball, Madison*+ Baron, Caelan*+ Baron, Devyn*+ Barr, Keiran*+ Barsoum, Angelina+ Bechard, Claire*+ Bird, Cur s Birks, Sterling* Blair, Daina Bolton‐Wilbee, Holly Bowers, Skyler+ Bridger, Clancy Brown, Nicholas Brown, Ma e Burke, Shantel Burke, Billy*+

Burke‐Burfoot, Gabe+ Campbell, Ania*+ Campbell, Connor K*+ Campbell, Connor T Cantaru , Alexandra*+ Cao, Kevin*+ Champagne, Ashley Marie*+ Chiddle, Lucas*+ Chi enden‐McChesney, Alexandra*+ Chris e, Laura+ Christmas, Aiden*+ Clarke, Owen* Collom, Max*+ Comber, Zachary*+ Coolican, Dan*+ Crowe, Jordyn* Dalton, James*+ Da a, Tridib*+ Davies‐Phinney, Huw*+ Dean, Seth Denique, Ryan Devnani, Arjun*+ DeVries, Mike*+ Diak, Callum*+ Dringenberg, Jakob*+ Duff, Maya*+ Durocher, Sophie*+ Durst‐Jenkins, Avery*+

Kingston Secondary School Virtual Gradua on Remarks & Slideshow 

June 23 & 24 posted on the KSS Website  

L A ...................................................................................................................... Gradua ng Student Kibo Mulima

PRINCIPAL’S REMARKS ..................................................................... KSS Principal Darlene Scarle , Former KSS Principal Talya McKenna

DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE ............................................................................................................... LDSB Director of Educa on Krishna Burra

LDSB TRUSTEE MESSAGE ......................................................................................................................................... Trustee Tom Gingrich

VALEDICTORIAN’S REMARKS ........................................................................................................................................... Namirah Quadir

CLASS POET ........................................................................................................................................................................... Callum Diak

Slideshow: First Class Graduates; KSS

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Class of 2021 – ONTARIO SECONDARY SCHOOL DIPLOMAS & CERTIFICATES

Ellio , Dawson Erb, Muirgen Eves, Jonathan Fernandez, Felipe*+ Ferrall, Finn*+ Findlay, Rebecca Frymire, Clare*+ Fu, Jolee*+ Furey, David Gavin, Miguel*+ Gearin, Casey* Ghayur, Fizza+ Gilbert, Eve*+ Gill, Aus n Grimshaw, Errol Grogan, Louis Grypma, Jack Gurnsey, Leo* Hale, Morgan Hammede, Ammar Hammede, Esma Hanley, Chase Hannah, Logan*+ He, Kevin*+ Hefnawi, Sabrina*+ Hillen, Sam*+ Hilliard, Cody Hoover, Wally*+ Hope, Ava*+ Horton, Sarah Hossenbaccus, Zahraa*+ Houston, William*+ Hussain, Leen*+ Iacurci, Wya * Ingham, Paige*+ Irving, Abby*+ Joly, Lauren*+ Jones, Jus n Joyce, Kennedy*+ Joyce, Cole*+ Juul Lintner, Nils Kanellos, Benjamin*+ Kearney, George

Kelly, Aidan*+ Kerkeni, Hedy*+ Klug, Mara*+ Kofinis, Nicholas*+ Korba‐Babcock, Jaclyn*+ Kuzma‐Hunt, Liam*+ La Rue, Lexis* Lahaye, Adriana*+ Langevin, Aaliyah Larkin, Illa‐Mae* Lavigne, Emma*+ Lees, Max*+ Leveque‐Fraser, Mack*+ Lewis, Angela*+ Lowe, Madison Lyon, Hannah* Mack‐Keyte, Anna*+ Mackey, Raigilie*+ Macleod, Robert*+ MacPherson, Emma Maher, Sommer Mahood, Brighid*+ Marin, Adela*+ Ma hew, Jada*+ Maycock, Caroline McConaghy, Teagan*+ McGaw, Mason*+ McNamara, Sara*+ McNasby, Ty McNeill, Emily+ McTaggart, Moira Millo e, Jazmin*+ Morais, Manuel* Morelli, Aziz*+ Moyer, Jacob Mulima, Kibo*+ Mussells, Lucian*+ Neill, Kiara Newell, Jillian+ Nobles, Ridley O'Brien, Jocelyn+ O'Coin, Logan*+

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O'Kane, Miah*+ Pain, Emily*+ Pakenham, Alyssa‐Lynne* Parker, Lydia*+ Pepper, Markus*+ Perrin, Jade Phillips, Sami Jo+ Phillips, Zoe*+ Pick, Avery*+ Pilkey, Ma hew*+ Pinkerton, Lewis*+ Piomelli, Luca*+ Polansky‐Shapiro, Reuben+ Por eous, Tristan*+ Po e, Dominic Pyke, Chloe* Quadir, Namirah*+ Quesnel, Jessi*+ Rabe‐Jantunen, Anyk* Ramachandran, Priya*+ Raymo, Kieran*+ Robbins, Jeremy Rombough, Blake Rouleau, Julia Row, Adelaide*+ Rudie, Ethan Sabbagh, Pablo*+ Safeer, Rida*+ Sams, Morgan Saunders‐Lambert, Isaac Schomberg, Jay‐Lyn Sco , Leilani*+ Scrimshaw, Dorian* Sedgwick, Tom*+ Serson, Tay Seymour, Henry*+ Shenfield, Holden*+ Sheridan, Tristan*+ Sherrow, J.J.* Smeltzer, Ana* Smith‐Holmstead, Hannah*+ Smith‐Holmstead, Emma*+ Snyder, Lia*+

Snyder, Jade Song, Grace*+ Spencer, Charlo e*+ Springer, Juliana*+ Stagg, Kailey*+ Storring, Sophie*+ Sweet‐Montgomery, LillyAnn Take, Ollie*+ Taylor, Jacob* Thoman, Emma Thornhill, Danny*+ Turco e, Jus n Van, Steven*+ van der Merwe, Fabian+ van Wylick, Ma hew Vandenburg, William*+ Varma, Quinn*+ Wade‐Salay, Griffin*+ Wang, Karisa*+ Warren, Jada*+ Waugh, Tessy+ Wells, Livia*+ Wheeler‐Dee, Jude*+ Wheeler‐Dee, Stella*+ Whitmarsh, Alexander*+ Wieber, Ashton Williams, Ronny Williams, Samantha*+ Wilson, Connor*+ Winch, Noah Wirsig, Grace*+ Wright, Samuel* Wu, David*+ Youngs, Kyla* Zborovsky, Anna*+ Zimmerman, Raj *+

CLASS of 2021‐ ONTARIO SECONDARY SCHOOL DIPLOMAS & CERTIFICATES

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ONTARIO SPECIALIST HIGH SKILLS MAJOR

A Specialist High Skills Major is awarded to students who complete a bundle of six to twelve courses in a selected field, such as arts and culture, hospitality and tourism, or construction. In addition to traditional classes, they have learned on the job with employers and at skills training centres, and earned valuable industry certifications such as first aid, safety and computer technology qualifications.

Art &Culture Rayna Assels ne

Jackson Baird Muirgen Erb

Jonathan Eves Finn Ferrall

Miguel Gavin Casey Gearin Lauren Joly Mara Klug

Emma Lavigne Jada Mathew

Moira McTaggart Tay Sersen Lia Snider

Noah Winch

Construc on Cur s Bird

Ashton Wieber

Hospitality & Tourism Ridley Nobles Logan O'Coin

Dominic Po e

Informa on & Communica on Technology Keiran Barr

Chase Hanley Dorian Scrimshaw

Quinn Varma

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INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE DIPLOMA PROGRAMME (IBDP)

The IB Diploma Programme is an academically challenging and balanced programme of educa on with final examina ons that prepares students, aged 16‐19, for success at university and life beyond. It has been designed to address the intellectual, social, emo onal and physical well‐being of students. The programme has gained recogni on and respect from the world’s leading universi es. The Diploma Programme prepares students for effec ve par cipa on in a rapidly evolving and increasingly global society.

 

IB DIPLOMAS 

To earn the IB Diploma, a student must successfully complete one course of study from each of six subject groups and complete three core requirements: Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge, and Crea vity, Ac vity and Service.

IB COURSES A student may elect to complete cer ficates in specific IB subject areas only. Courses are taken at either the Standard Level (SL) or Higher Level (HL). Rida Ahmad: ...................................................................................... Biology HL, Chemistry SL, French B HL Arman Azroy‐Ariff: .................................................... Biology HL, Business Management HL, Chemistry SL ...................... English A: Literature HL, Mathema cs Analysis & Approaches HL, Theory of Knowledge TK Keiran Barr: .................................................................................. Mathema cs Analysis & Approaches HL Angelina Barsoum: ...................................................... Mathema cs Analysis & Approaches SL, Physics SL Claire Bechard: ...................................................................................................... Biology HL, Chemistry SL Skyler Bowers: ........................................................................................................................ Psychology SL Kevin Cao: ............................................ Chemistry SL, Mathema cs Analysis & Approaches HL, Physics SL Eve Gilbert: ..................................................................................... English A: Literature HL, Spanish AB SL Kevin He: ............................................ Chemistry HL, Mathema cs Analysis & Approaches HL, Physics HL Emma Lavigne: ............................................................ Mathema cs Analysis & Approaches SL, Physics SL Angela Lewis: .................... Chemistry SL, French B SL, Mathema cs Analysis & Approaches SL, Physics SL Anna Mack‐Keyte: ............................................................................................................................. Film SL

Max Collom Callum Diak Zahraa Hossenbaccus William David Houston Paige Vivan Ingham Imogen Lawford‐Wickham Max Lees

Raigilie Mackey Robert MacLeod Zoe Elizabeth Phillips Luca Piomelli Namirah Quadir Rida Safeer Karisa Wang

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Caroline Maycock: ................................. Biology SL, Chemistry SL, English A: Literature HL, Psychology SL ........................................................................................................ Spanish AB SL, Theory of Knowledge TK Teagan McConaghy: .....................................................................................................................Biology HL Jazmin Millo e: ..................................................... Mathema cs Analysis & Approaches HL, Psychology SL Jocelyn O’Brien: .......................................................... Biology HL, Mathema cs Analysis & Approaches SL Samantha Jo Phillips: ...................................................................... English A: Literature HL, Psychology SL Priya Ramachandran: ....................................................... Biology SL, English A: Literature HL, French B HL ...................................................................................... History SL, Mathema cs Analysis & Approaches SL Grace Song: .......................................... Chemistry HL, Mathema cs Analysis & Approaches SL, Physics SL Juliana Springer: ........................................................... History SL, Mathema cs Analysis & Approaches SL ................................................................................................................................................. Psychology SL Fabian van der Merwe: ........................................................................................ Business Management SL Steven Van: .................................................................................... Mathema cs Analysis & Approaches SL Livia Wells: .................................................................................... Mathema cs Analysis & Approaches SL David Wu: ................................................................ Chemistry SL, Mathema cs Analysis & Approaches SL ....................................................................................................................................................... Physics SL The Interna onal Baccalaureate CAS Award .................................................................... Namirah Quadir This award is presented to the gradua ng IB Diploma student who has excelled in a variety experien al learning ac vi es in the areas of athle c, ar s c and community service while comple ng the IB Diploma Programme. The recipient has demonstrated leadership within the school and the community while encouraging interna onal understanding and reflec ng on their own development. The Interna onal Baccalaureate Diploma Award .................................................................... Callum Diak  This award is presented to the gradua ng IB Diploma student who has the highest total IB Diploma point score. The recipient has shown high academic achievement while encouraging interna onal understanding.

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LANGUAGE CERTIFICATES

 Core A Core French Cer ficate is awarded to students who have successfully completed the sequence of four courses in Core French.  

 

        Extended An Extended French Cer ficate is awarded to students who have successfully completed the sequence of four courses in Extended French, plus a minimum of three courses in other subjects taught in French.

    

Interna onal Languages 

An Interna onal Language Cer ficate is awarded to students who have earned six or more credits in a combina on of French, La n or Spanish courses. Students must have studied at least two different languages, in which a minimum of two Grade 12 credits has been earned.

 

 

 

Daniel Abraha Camille Aird‐Tousignant

Spens Alexander Caelan Baron Clancy Bridger Lucas Chiddle Tridib Da a

Felipe Fernandez David Furey

Logan Hannah Sabrina Hefnawi

Ava Hope Paige Ingham

George Kearney Aidan Kelly

Adriana Lahaye Angela Lewis

Alyssa‐Lynne Pakenham Ana Smeltzer

Griffin Wade‐Salay David Wu

Fizza Ghayur Aaliyah Langevin

Mack Leveque‐Fraser Alexandra McChesney

Lucian Mussells Jocelyn O'Brien

Lydia Parker Chloe Pyke

Kieran Raymo Fabian van der Merwe

Maya Duff Brighid Mahood

Kibo Mulima Adriana Lahaye

Griffin Wade‐Salay

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Immersion   An Immersion French Cer ficate is awarded to students who have successfully completed the sequence of four courses in French Immersion, plus a minimum of six courses in other subjects taught in French.

Sydney Abbink Dounia Abdalla‐Alryani

Devyn Baron Claire Bechard Ania Campbell

Connor K. Campbell Dan Coolican Callum Diak Maya Duff

Sophie Durocher Avery Durst‐Jenkins

Aus n Gill Sam Hillen

Leen Hussain Abby Irving Lauren Joly

Kennedy Joyce Hedy Kerkeni

Victor Kudriavtsev

Illa‐Mae Larkin Max Lees

Robert Macleod Brighid Mahood

Emily McNeill Aziz Morelli Jacob Moyer Kibo Mulima

Reuben Polonsky‐Shapiro Jessi Quesnel

Priya Ramachandran Adelaide Row Pablo Sabbagh Tom Sedgwick

Henry Seymour Hannah Smith‐Holmstead Emma Smith‐Holmstead

Charlo e Spencer Kailey Stagg

Sophie Storring Ollie Take

Quinn Varma Jude Wheeler‐Dee Stella Wheeler‐Dee

Grace Wirsig Raj Zimmerman

HEALTHY ACTIVE LIVING CERTIFICATES

A Healthy Active Living Certificate is awarded to students who achieve three credits in physical education, one credit in an alternative course with a healthy active living component, and who actively participate in three or more school or community sports/activity clubs.

Caelan Baron Devyn Baron

Alexandra Cantaru Tridib Da a Callum Diak

Avery Durst‐Jenkins Clare Frymire Paige Ingham

Liam Kuzma‐Hunt Angela Lewis

Alexandra McChesney

Jazmin Millo e Aziz Morelli Jacob Moyer

Lewis Pinkerton Jessi Quesnel Ethan Rudie Tessy Waugh

Livia Wells Stella Wheeler‐Dee

Anna Zborovsky

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SPECIAL AWARDS 

Alec Murray Award .................................................................................................................. Max Lees This award is presented in recogni on of outstanding contribu on and commitment by a student to their school community. Anna Sadouski Award ......................................................................................................... Kibo Mulima This award is presented to a gradua ng student at KSS/LCVI who is going on to study English or Music at University. Barry C. O'Connor Bursary .............................................................................................. Kennedy Joyce This award is presented to a grade 12 student who has demonstrated outstanding leadership quali es in the classroom and in athle c and other school ac vi es. Class of 2021 Trophy ..................................................................................................... Namirah Quadir This award recognizes a gradua ng student who is well‐rounded and resilient, excels in academics, and is involved in clubs or teams within the school community. Debbie Chambers Memorial Award ..................................................................................... Jade Perrin This award is presented to a student who has shown tremendous resilience, resourcefulness and character to overcome life’s obstacles in order to create personal success. The recipient of this award has persevered by making good use of many supports to work toward a bright future. Fred Payne Memorial Award ........................................................................................ Namirah Quadir This award is presented annually to a gradua ng KSS student who has demonstrated a caring and concerned a tude for her fellow students and the Kingston community. Governor‐General's Academic Medal ...................................................................................... David Wu This medal is awarded to the gradua ng student who achieves the highest average upon gradua on from secondary school, based on the final two years of the secondary program. Indigenous Leadership ................................................................................................... Raigilie Mackey This award is presented to a student who is Indigenous and has been a student‐leader while a ending secondary school and who is pursuing post‐secondary studies. Joy Morning Trustee Award ................................................................................................ Jacob Moyer This award is presented to a gradua ng student pursuing environmental studies, climate ac on, and/or ecological/environmental development and research at a post‐secondary college or university. Kate MacKay Memorial Award ...................................................................... Ma e Brown, JJ Sherrow This award is presented to a graduate who has: embodied Kate’s spirit of a dedica on to helping others and/or demonstrated persistence and dignity in the face of a challenge and/or demonstrated a posi ve turn‐around in their life. KSS Teachers' Bursary .................................................................................... Tridib Da a, Jada Warren This award was established by the KCVI teaching staff and is presented annually to a deserving gradua ng student.

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Lieutenant Governor's Community Volunteer Award ................................................... Juliana Springer This award is presented to a gradua ng student who demonstrates exemplary student involvement in the community. Lifetouch Award ..................................................................................................... Priya Ramachandran This award is presented to the “Everyday Hero”. A student who makes a consistent, posi ve contribu on to the school, yet isn’t o en recognized for their efforts. Lion’s Club Bursary .......................................................................................................... Jazmin Millo e This award is presented to a deserving student residing in Kingston who is pursuing a University degree and has demonstrated academic grit and involvement in the school community. The recipient is selected by the staff at Kingston Secondary School. Lloyd Trull Memorial Award ................................................................................................ Callum Diak This award is presented to a student or graduate of KSS who has made a significant contribu on in service to the community in the field of educa on, the arts, athle cs, charitable work or any other ac vity that enhances the cultural life of the community. OSSTF District 27 Scholarship ................................................................................... Jude Wheeler‐Dee This award is presented to a gradua ng student who has demonstrated academic achievement, co‐curricular involvement, and sensi vity towards peers. This student has shown strength of character and perseverance in striving for and achieving realis c goals. OYAP Award ....................................................................................................................... Wally Hoover Established by the Limestone District School Board to recognize a student con nuing in an appren ceship and/or who has par cipated in OYAP during high school. KSS Principal’s Award for Student Leadership ................................................................... Angela Lewis This award is presented to the graduate who has demonstrated leadership, contribu on and commitment to the KSS community of learners. Sandy Pren ce Memorial Scholarship ................................................................................. Leilani Sco This scholarship recognizes the accomplishments of a gradua ng student who has demonstrated persistent effort in overcoming a learning challenge. The student demonstrates a high degree of academic competence, the ability to self advocate and self regulate, and contributes to the school community in the area of sports, clubs, or leadership. SLC Board of Governors' Entrance Scholarship ................................................................... Lexis La Rue Awarded to a gradua ng student going on to St. Lawrence College, based upon academic achievement and community ci zenship. Thanasi Koutroumbas Memorial Bursary ............................................................................. Rida Safeer Awarded to an enthusias c and well‐rounded gradua ng student pursuing post‐secondary educa on who demonstrates a desire to learn and puts forth a consistent effort to achieve their poten al. The student shows par cipa on in school life, leadership, and volunteer contribu ons in the community.

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SUBJECT‐BASED SPECIAL AWARDS Abi Sutherland Memorial Award ....................................................................................... Devyn Baron This award recognizes a keen, observant and compassionate student who excels at crea ve wri ng. The student should be a gradua ng student who intends to pursue post‐secondary educa on. A.C.E. Ri er Award ............................................................................................................ Adelaide Row This award is granted to a gradua ng student going on to post‐secondary who has demonstrated academic excellence across all subjects, and is earning a French Language Cer ficate. Adrien Langlois Award ....................................................................................................... Caelan Baron This award is presented to a gradua ng student who has completed a minimum of three physical educa on credits including PSE4U. The student is considered the best overall physical educa on student. 

Domino Theatre Award ..................................................................................................... Paige Ingham  This award is given to the student who has made the most significant contribu on to drama in the school and in the community. Ethel Kidd Memorial Award .......................................................................................... Tristan Sheridan This scholarship, in memory of Ethel Kidd, former teacher of English and mathema cs, is presented to a gradua ng student who shows the greatest improvement in English and mathema cs.

Jamie Saunders Memorial Award .................................................................................. Lauren Joly Established by his family and friends, this award, in memory of Jamie Saunders, a former student of KCVI is presented to the student who has shown the highest degree of leadership and enthusiasm in curricular and co‐curricular instrumental Music. Kingston Engineering Bursary ........................................................................................Raj Zimmerman This award, sponsored by Camp #3 of the Corpora on of the Seven Wardens, is presented to a gradua ng student planning to study engineering at the post‐secondary level. Mark Gerretsen, MP, Environmental Protec on Award ............................................. Robert MacLeod This award is presented to a gradua ng student who has shown sustained commitment and hard work in the area of environmental protec on. Orville L. Drummond Bicentennial Award ......................................................................... Tessy Waugh  This award is given to a student who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in art. Orville L. Drummond Bicentennial Award ...................................................................... Pablo Sabbagh This award is given to a student who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in French.

Orville L. Drummond Bicentennial Award .............................................................................. Kevin Cao This award is given to a student who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in Spanish.

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Ri er Award for English .................................................................................................. Lucian Mussels Established by the Ri er family in memory of our excellent teachers in all subject areas in the 1950s and 1960s, this award is given annually to a gradua ng student for excellence and crea vity in 4U English.

Ri er Award for Mathema cs ................................................. Connor Campbell, William Vandenburg Established by the Ri er family in memory of our excellent teachers in all subject areas in the 1950s and 1960s, this award is given annually to a gradua ng student for excellence and crea vity in 4U Mathema cs.

Russel and Ethel Kidd Award .......................................................................................... Mason McGaw This award is presented to the student who has shown the most improvement in English and athle cs. Thomas J. Monk Excellence in Biology Award ......................................................... Samantha Williams This award is to be presented annually to a gradua ng student of KSS, who over the course of their high school years has shown an outstanding passion for biology, mentorship toward their peers and a strong family commitment.  

T. Andre Senior Technology Award ..................... Sophie Durocher, Danny Thornhill, Ma Van Wylick This award is presented to an outstanding senior tech student who has shown leadership and posi ve a tude. Wilkinson & Company LLP Scholarship  ................................................................ Zahraa Hossenbaccus This award is presented to a gradua ng student who is pursuing a university educa on in business or accoun ng.

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SUBJECT EXCELLENCE AWARDS

This award is presented to all graduates who have achieved subject excellence (a final grade of 90%+) in a course during the 2020‐2021 School Year.

Sydney Abbink Human Growth & Development

Dounia Abdalla‐Alryani Canadian & World Issues, Canadian & Interna onal Law, French Immersion, Challenge & Change in Society, English , Data Management

Daniel Abraha English, Extended French, Calculus & Vectors, Indigenous Issues in a Global Context, Healthy Ac ve Living Educa on

Abdel (Abed) Rahman Abu Hijleh

English, Calculus & Vectors, Biology, Chemistry

Karlee Addison Co‐opera ve Educa on

Rida Ahmad English, Biology ‐ IB, Chemistry ‐ IB, Philosophy, Co‐op

Camille Aird‐Tousignant Canadian & Interna onal Law, English, Extended French, Human Growth & Develop‐ment, Challenge & Change in Society, Photography

Spens Alexander English, Extended French

Athan Anagnostopoulos Nutri on & Health, Leadership, Healthy Ac ve Living Educa on

Arman Azroy‐Ariff Business Leadership ‐ IB, Calculus & Vectors ‐ IB, Data Management ‐ IB, Chemistry ‐ IB

Jackson Baird Music for Crea ng, Music and Computers, English, Guitar, Co‐op

Madison Ball Visual Arts, Learning Strategies, Human Growth & Development, Communica on Technology, English

Caelan Baron Extended French, Advanced Func ons, Introductory Kinesiology, Biology, English, Physics, Powerfit

Devyn Baron World History, English, Writer's Cra , French Immersion, Human Growth & Development, Introduc on to Computer Studies, Data Management, Phys Ed.

Kieran Barr Visual Arts ‐ Film/Video, English, Introduc on to Computer Studies, Calculus & Vectors ‐ IB, Chemistry, Physics, Philosophy, Writer’s Cra

Angelina Barsoum English, Nutri on & Health, Co‐op

Claire Bechard English, French Immersion

Daina Blair Visual Arts ‐ Film/Video, World History, English, Philosophy, Visual Arts

Holly Bolton‐Wilbee Co‐opera ve Educa on

Skyler Bowers Canadian & Interna onal Law, English, Human Growth & Development ‐ IB, Indigenous Issues in a Global Context

Ma e Brown Canadian & Interna onal Law

Billy Burke English, Photography , Co‐op

Gabe Burke‐Burfoot Personal & Fitness Ac vi es

Ania Campbell Canadian & Interna onal Law, French Immersion, Indigenous Issues in a Global Context

Connor K, Campbell English, French Immersion, Advanced Func ons, Chemistry, Calculus & Vectors

Connor T Campbell Co‐opera ve Educa on Alex Cantaru Canadian & World Issues, English, Human Growth & Development, Challenge & Change

in Society, Indigenous Issues in a Global Context Kevin Cao World History, English, Spanish, Calculus & Vectors ‐ IB, Chemistry ‐ IB, Phys. Ed.

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Lucas Chiddle Transporta on Technology, Healthy Ac ve Living Laura Chris e English, Calculus & Vectors, Advanced Func ons, Physics, Biology

Aiden Christmas Personal & Fitness Ac vi es

Owen Clarke Photography, Co‐opera ve Educa on

Max Collom English, Extended French ‐ IB, Human Growth & Development ‐ IB Zachary Comber World History ‐ IB, English, Advanced Func ons, Physics Dan Coolican French Immersion, Advanced Func ons, Introductory Kinesiology, English

Jordyn Crowe Drama c arts, Naviga ng the Workplace

James Dalton Indigenous Issues in a Global Context Tridib Da a English, Human Growth & Development, Leadership, Phys Ed. Huw Davies‐Phinney Visual Arts ‐ Film/Video, World History, English, Writer's Cra , Nutri on & Health,

Challenge & Change in Society

Arjun Devnani English, Introduc on to Computer Studies, Calculus & Vectors, Advanced Func ons, Chemistry, Physics, Phys Ed.

Callum Diak French Immersion ‐ IB, Human Growth & Development ‐ IB, Calculus & Vectors ‐ IB, Chemistry ‐ IB, Physics ‐ IB, English– IB

Wya Downing‐Iacurci Drama c arts, English, Human Growth & Development, Co‐op

Jakob Dringenberg World History, English, Human Growth & Development, Challenge & Change in Society, Data Management, Indigenous Issues in a Global Context

Maya Duff Canadian & Interna onal Law, French Immersion, Spanish, Data Management, English, Indigenous Issues in a Global Context

Sophie Durocher Visual Arts, French Immersion, Construc on Technology, Custom Woodworking

Avery Durst‐Jenkins English, French Immersion, Nutri on & Health, Data Management, Indigenous Issues in a Global Context

Felipe Fernandez Extended French, Photography

Finn Ferrall English, Writer's Cra Clare Frymire English, Nutri on & Health, Advanced Func ons, Personal & Fitness Ac vi es, Visual Art

Jolee Fu Canadian & Interna onal Law, English, Data Management, Personal & Fitness Ac vi es, Equity and Social Jus ce

Miguel Gavin Canadian & Interna onal Law, Nutri on & Health, Business Leadership

Casey Gearin Drama ‐ Film/Video, Visual Arts Fizza Ghayur English, Core French, Calculus & Vectors ‐ IB, Chemistry, Photography, Co‐op

Eve Gilbert Human Growth & Development ‐ IB, Indigenous Issues in a Global Context, Personal & Fitness Ac vi es

Errol Grimshaw Introduc on to Computer Studies

Jack Grypma Naviga ng the Workplace

Seth Dean Powerfit

Louis Grogan Co‐opera ve Educa on

Ashley Champagne Music for Crea ng, Guitar Music, Music and Computers, English, Founda ons for College Mathema cs

SUBJECT EXCELLENCE AWARDS

This award is presented to all graduates who have achieved subject excellence (a final grade of 90%+) in a course during the 2020‐2021 School Year.

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Ammar Hammede Mathema cs for Work and Everyday Life

Logan Hannah Drama c arts, English, Co‐op

Kevin He World History, English, Calculus & Vectors ‐ IB, Data Management, Chemistry ‐ IB, Physics ‐ IB, Extended French, Technological Design

Sabrina Hefnawi English, Extended French, Nutri on & Health

Sam Hillen French Immersion, Calculus & Vectors, Advanced Func ons, Introductory Kinesiology, Chemistry, English

Wally Hoover Guitar Music

Ava Hope Extended French, Healthy Ac ve Living Zahraa Hossenbaccus Business Leadership ‐ IB, English, French Immersion ‐ IB

William Houston French Immersion ‐ IB, Human Growth & Development ‐ IB, Calculus & Vectors ‐ IB, Data Management ‐ IB, Chemistry ‐ IB

Leen Hussain English, Nutri on & Health, Indigenous Issues in a Global Context, French Immersion

Paige Ingham World History ‐ IB, English, French Immersion ‐ IB, Calculus & Vectors ‐ IB, Chemistry ‐ IB, Physics ‐ IB

Abby Irving French Immersion

Lauren Joly Drama c arts, Canadian & Interna onal Law, French Immersion, Human Growth & Develop‐ment, English

Jus n Jones Naviga ng the Workplace

Cole Joyce English, Extended French, Leadership, Data Management, Indigenous Issues in a Global Context, Phys Ed– French

Kennedy Joyce English, French Immersion, Human Growth & Development, Challenge & Change in Society, Data Management, Indigenous Issues in a Global Context

Ben Kanellos World History, English, Human Growth & Development, Calculus & Vectors, Personal & Fitness Ac vi es

Aidan Kelly World History, English, Extended French, Technological Design

Hedy Kerkeni French Immersion, English

Mara Klug Music for Crea ng, Visual Arts‐ Drawing and Pain ng, Visual Arts ‐ Non‐Tradi onal, Informa on & Communica on Technology, Music and Computers

Jaclyn Korba‐Babcock Canadian & Interna onal Law, Personal & Fitness Ac vi es

Victor Kudriavtsev French Immersion

Liam Kuzma‐Hunt Visual Arts, Visual Arts ‐ Visual Design, Visual Arts‐ Drawing and Pain ng, Visual Arts ‐ Non‐Tradi onal

Lexis La Rue English, Founda ons for College Mathema cs, Co‐op

Adriana Lahaye Extended French, Human Growth & Development, Spanish, English

Emma Lavigne Visual Arts ‐ Film/Video, English, Extended French, Technological Design

Illa‐Mae Larkin SLC: Fundamentals of Carpentry

SUBJECT EXCELLENCE AWARDS

This award is presented to all graduates who have achieved subject excellence (a final grade of 90%+) in a course during the 2020‐2021 School Year.

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Max Lees English, French Immersion ‐ IB, Human Growth & Development ‐ IB, Calculus & Vectors ‐ IB, Biology ‐ IB, Chemistry ‐ IB

Mack Leveque‐Fraser Visual Arts ‐ Film/Video, English, Indigenous Issues in a Global Context

Angela Lewis English, Writer's Cra , French Immersion ‐ IB, Calculus & Vectors ‐ IB, Chemistry ‐ IB, Physics ‐ IB

Nils Lintner Drama c arts Madison Lowe Co‐opera ve Educa on

Hannah Lyon Drama ‐ Film/Video, Visual Arts ‐ Film/Video, World History, English, Human Growth & Development, Philosophy

Anna Mack Visual Arts ‐ Film/Video, Canadian & World Issues, Canadian & Interna onal Law, Extended French

Raigilie Mackey English

Robert Macleod English, French Immersion ‐ IB, Human Growth & Development ‐ IB, Calculus & Vectors ‐ IB, Chemistry ‐ IB, Physics ‐ IB

Sommer Maher Crea ng Opportuni es through Co‐op

Brighid Mahood English, French Immersion, Equity & Social Jus ce, Spanish

Adela Marin Canadian & World Issues, English, Indigenous Issues

Jada Ma hew English, Nutri on & Health, Communica on Technology, Philosophy, Co‐op

Alexandra McChesney English, Writer's Cra , Core French, Human Growth & Development, Data Management, Dance

Teagan McConaghy English, Writer's Cra , Indigenous Issues in a Global Context, Co‐op

Mason McGaw English, Photography

Billy McIlroy Biology

Sara McNamara Equity & Social Jus ce, Challenge & Change in Society

Ty McNasby Co‐opera ve Educa on

Emily McNeill Canadian & Interna onal Law, French Immersion

Moira McTaggart Drama ‐ Film/Video, Visual Arts ‐ Film/Video

Jazmin Millo e English, Human Growth & Development ‐ IB, Introductory Kinesiology

Aziz Morelli English, French Immersion, Introduc on to Computer Studies, Calculus & Vectors, Advanced Func ons, Introductory Kinesiology, Physics

Kibo Mulima Informa on & Communica on Technology, French Immersion, Data Management, Personal & Fitness Ac vi es

Lucien Mussells Writer's Cra , Nutri on & Health, Photography

Kiara Neill Healthy Ac ve Living

Jillian Newell Human Growth & Development

Ridley Nobles Music and Computers

Jocelyn O'Brien Core French, Calculus & Vectors ‐ IB, Introductory Kinesiology, Biology ‐ IB

Emily Pain English, Human Growth & Development ‐ IB, Advanced Func ons, Chemistry

Alyssa Pakenham Extended French, Challenge & Change in Society, Data Management

SUBJECT EXCELLENCE AWARDS

This award is presented to all graduates who have achieved subject excellence (a final grade of 90%+) in a course during the 2020‐2021 School Year.

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Lydia Parker Leadership Markus Pepper World History, Canadian & Interna onal Law, English, Core French, Data

Management, Challenge & Change in Society

Sami Jo Phillips Drama c arts, Visual Arts, Visual Arts ‐ Film/Video, English, Human Growth & Development ‐ IB

Zoe Phillips English, Human Growth & Development ‐ IB Avery Pick English, Extended French, Human Growth & Development, Data Management,

Photography

Ma hew Pilkey English, Leadership, Data Management, Physics Lewis Pinkerton Leadership, Data Management Luca Piomelli World History ‐ IB, English, Extended French ‐ IB Reuben Polansky‐Shapiro Advanced Func ons, Photography Tristan Por eous Drama c arts Chloe Pyke Core French, Leadership, Mathema cs for College Technology, Technological Design,

Custom Woodworking, Photography

Namirah Quadir Business Leadership ‐ IB, English, Extended French ‐ IB, Calculus & Vectors ‐ IB, Biology ‐ IB, Co‐opera ve Educa on

Jessi Quesnel World History, English, French Immersion, Indigenous Issues in a Global Context, Co‐op

Anyk Rabe‐Jantunen Music and Computers, Indigenous Issues in a Global Context, English Priya Ramachandran Visual Arts ‐ Film/Video, World History ‐ IB, English, French Immersion ‐ IB,

Biology ‐ IB

Kieran Raymo Core French, Leadership Adelaide Row French Immersion, Calculus & Vectors, Chemistry, Physics, English, Advanced

Func ons, Biology Pablo Sabbagh English, French Immersion, Calculus & Vectors, Advanced Func ons, Biology,

Chemistry

Rida Safeer Business Leadership ‐ IB, English, Extended French ‐ IB, Calculus & Vectors ‐ IB, Chemistry ‐ IB, Physics ‐ IB

Morgan Sams Photography

Leilani Sco World History

Jay‐Lyn Schomberg Personal Life Management

Tom Sedgwick Visual Arts ‐ Film/Video, Canadian & World Issues, World History, English, Writer's Cra , French Immersion, Challenge & Change in Society

Tay John Serson English, Co‐op Henry Seymour World History, English, French Immersion, Personal & Fitness Ac vi es, Philosophy Holden Shenfield English, Calculus & Vectors, Advanced Func ons, Chemistry, Physics, Co‐op Tristan Sheridan Guitar Music, Communica on Technology, SLC: Fundamentals of Carpentry J.J. Sherrow Indigenous Issues in a Global Context, English, Co‐op Ana Smeltzer Extended French, Co‐op

SUBJECT EXCELLENCE AWARDS

This award is presented to all graduates who have achieved subject excellence (a final grade of 90%+) in a course during the 2020‐2021 School Year.

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SUBJECT EXCELLENCE AWARDS

This award is presented to all graduates who have achieved subject excellence (a final grade of 90%+) in a course during the 2020‐2021 School Year.

Emma Smith‐Holmstead Dynamics of Human Rela onships, Hospitality and Tourism Hannah Smith‐Holmstead French Immersion, Co‐op

Lia Snyder Drama c Arts Grace Song English, Calculus & Vectors ‐ IB, Chemistry ‐ IB, Physics ‐ IB, Extended French Charlo e Spencer English, French Immersion, Leadership Juliana Springer World History ‐ IB, English, Human Growth & Development ‐ IB, Calculus & Vectors ‐

IB, Biology, Chemistry

Kailey Stagg Working with School‐Age Children Nicholas Stanley Visual Arts ‐ Film/Video, Canadian & Interna onal Law, English, Writer's Cra ,

Extended French, Challenge & Change in Society, Data Management

Sophie Storring Visual Arts, Video, English, Writer's Cra , Human Growth & Development

Ollie Take English, French Immersion, Human Growth & Development, Calculus & Vectors, Physics

Jacob Taylor English, Personal Life Management, Co‐op Danny Thornhill English, Transporta on Technology, Custom Woodworking, Co‐op

Ma hew van Wylick Founda ons for College Mathema cs, Custom Woodworking, Co‐op

Steven Van Visual Arts ‐ Film/Video, English, Calculus & Vectors ‐ IB, Chemistry, Physics

William Vandenburg English, Calculus & Vectors, Data Management, Advanced Func ons, Chemistry, Physics, Technological Design

Quinn Varma French Immersion, Introduc on to Computer Studies, Calculus & Vectors, Advanced Func ons, Healthy Living and Personal and Fit, Chemistry, English

Griffin Wade‐Salay Visual Arts ‐ Film/Video, Extended French, Spanish, Advanced Func ons, Chemistry, Physics, English

Karisa Wang Business Leadership ‐ IB, Calculus & Vectors ‐ IB, Chemistry ‐ IB, Physics ‐ IB

Jada Warren Personal Life Management, Co‐op

Tessy Waugh Personal & Fitness Ac vi es, Visual Art, Canadian and World Issues

Livia Wells English, Calculus & Vectors ‐ IB, Data Management, Powerfit, Kinesiology Jude Wheeler‐Dee English, French Immersion, Calculus & Vectors, Advanced Func ons, Chemistry

Stella Wheeler‐Dee English, French Immersion, Human Growth & Development, Challenge & Change in Society, Data Management, Indigenous Issues in a Global Context

Alexander Whitmarsh Co‐opera ve Educa on

Samantha Williams French Immersion, Challenge & Change in Society, Calculus & Vectors, Advanced Func ons, Introductory Kinesiology, Chemistry, Philosophy

Connor Wilson Co‐opera ve Educa on

Grace Wirsig English, French Immersion, Nutri on & Health, Advanced Func ons

Samuel Wright Founda ons for College Mathema cs, Communica on Technology

David Wu Calculus & Vectors ‐ IB, Chemistry ‐ IB, Physics ‐ IB, English, Extended French, Phys ed.

Anna Zborovsky Nutri on & Health, Leadership, Personal & Fitness Ac vi es

Raj Zimmerman English, French Immersion, Biology

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VALEDICTORIAN’S REMARKS by Namirah Quadir

I have recently begun to learn from my Indigenous friends and mentors about the power of storytelling, so here I am today commencing my speech with a story. I’ll start with one that isn’t really mine, but rather one accredited to David Foster Wallace: a writer, professor, and brilliant thinker. He called his speech, This is Water. David Foster Wallace, in his own valedictory address, didn’t talk to his classmates about following their dreams or staying true to themselves or being kind. Instead, he spoke to the capital T truth of life. The capital T truth of life is about carrying your consciousness in your le breast pocket even if you let your heart travel on your sleeve. It is about being aware and being inten onal and being alive in the real world – even if it feels like a deep, dark gorge from which we, graduates, dangerously stand only metres away. 

I feel like I spent a lot of high school in this unconscious state that David Foster Wallace describes in his speech. So much of these past four years was spent trudging along the halls of KC, dreading deadline a er deadline, craving the barely legible notes of affirma on Mr. Watson would write on my English papers, sighing in relief upon catching sight of the li le s ckers Ms. Farahani would place at the top of my “good” but rarely “excellent” math tests. And then came Friday, March 13th, 2020. With so much newfound me to think, my awareness began. It was not long un l I became completely absorbed in all the bad news – violent climate change in the form of Australian bushfires, protests and riots at a global moment of racial reckoning, the fatal chemical explosion in Beirut, the deaths of rock legends, of incredible athletes, of outstanding actors, and not longer a er, of our neighbours, our grandparents, our mentors, our friends. 

What separates my address today from that of David Foster Wallace is that I will talk about being kind. In fact, my favourite quota on of all me, by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer, is all about kindness: when given the choice between being right and being kind, choose kind. For a long me, I thought that to solve all the wars raging in the world, we only needed to be kind. But it was only recently and due to my growing consciousness that I encountered the limita ons of kindness. Being kind won’t feed the poor and it certainly won’t heal the sick. Being kind won’t prevent the grisliness, or the guilt or the grief that follows, and although kindness is good, when it’s paired with a lack of consciousness – and in its place, an abundance of ignorance, of privilege – we are kept in a state of oblivion from the so‐called real world. As we contemplate the horrors of our history and the ba les of the future, we must realize that it simply isn’t enough to just be kind. 

We must not limit ourselves to being allies, but rather, we must endeavour to become reless advocates for equality and jus ce. We must be not passive, but ac ve disruptors of oppression, and as we venture out into the world, we must never lose sight of our shared humanity. As we brave new unknowns ‐‐ perhaps through our entrance into the work‐force, or the postsecondary scene, or the simple discovery of parts of ourselves that we haven’t yet explored – we must use our individual and ins tu onal power to create and sustain a more conscious future – one that we shape to be compassionate and loving of all creatures and plants and people on our shared lands. 

Un l then, it’s okay to be lost. 

The more we grow and become aware of the world, the bigger and scarier it gets, and the smaller we feel in the vastness of the universe. But I think that if there is one gradua ng class to find their way, it’s ours. We navigated bomb threats in grade 10. We missed a quarter of grade 11 to Triboard Tuesdays. We moved schools in grade 12 during a global pandemic. Not to men on online learning, Mr. Loken’s mul ple choice physics tests, no AC in the math hall, the purple and orange walls of this brand new school…. We’ve really been through it all, and I have full faith in our ability to take on this next chapter of our story. Together.

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Just as I began, I will end with a story ‐‐ a past chapter of my own story. This is Water was gi ed to me in Grade 9 by a teacher who recognized how lost I felt at the beginning of high school, how I wasn’t on the path to finding my place in the world. When I wandered out of her English class that year for the very last me, I felt like David Foster Wallace’s words were the only shield I had to protect me as I ventured into the unknowns. Oh, KCVI. What was first an escape for me soon became my home as I ambled through the hallways of our beloved school, and I saw the photos of our predecessors ‐‐ all spor ng worn and torn athle cs gear, or performing Put on a Happy Face from Bye Bye Birdie, or bel ng out a Repeat A er Me song at leadership camp. But at the same me, they were also connected as they lined the walls with their warm and smiling faces. As I smiled back at them then, my grasp loosened on the piece of paper which I once held so desperately in my hands. I am smiling again today, knowing that we can and we will overcome it all. Together! 

There are many people to whom we owe our thanks in helping us brave everything we have endured these four years. Thank you to the administrators who from Day 1 made me feel like I had a place at KC. Thank you to the caretakers who stayed late into the evening at school to ensure my ride home. Thank you to the teachers who cried with me over a Google Meet, who sent me a warm email on a rainy day, or who extended a deadline before I even got to asking. Thank you to my hilarious, intelligent, peculiar, and downright incredible classmates who taught me love, passion, and laughter. And most of all, thank you to my greatest and earliest role model, my elder sister, as well as my two, endlessly caring immigrant parents, who abandoned all that they knew and loved back home to make my life brighter than their own. 

Long live KCVI – in the venerable building on Frontenac Street brimming with love and asbestos, in the beau ful legacy of Kingston Secondary School, and just below our le breast pockets, in the hearts of the unapologe cally kind and conscious Class of 2021. 

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CLASS POET REMARKS by Callum Diak Hello. Hello! Can you hear me? Am I on mute? Zut alors, online school isn’t really that cute. Our senior year was less than ideal, So chao c, I ask myself “is this real?” But regardless of our condi ons, For four years we strived to succeed, And upon gradua on, that’s the memory we need:  Highschool: a poem in four parts.  Part one: Normal  Day one. This should be fun. Grade 9 day, let’s meet everyone. So many new faces,  so many new places.  An en re new realm to explore. We’re in the big leagues now...wowie! Scissors flash and a dollar bill drops like snowflakes to the floor. Use your me wisely, says Ms. Howie.  Don’t spend 10 bucks on Starbucks. And certainly don’t walk into class late with your coffee.  But wait...where is my class?? KC is a maze. One minute before class, the main stairwell’s in a craze!!  Out of curiosity I wander. “Check out these fresh vegetables I grew in my garden!” That could only be Mr. Saunders.  Then whizzzz I see something fly right by my le eye. Out comes Mr. Loken yelling: “projec le mo on!!”  Now I smell something pungent in the science wing. Mr. Haberer must’ve set something on fire again… Maybe I should call Mr. Watson in...  A er school is out, KCVI is s ll bustling with life. Because high school is about more than studying all day and all night.  We yell, we yell, We yell, we yell, we fight. Always represen ng in our blue and our white.  Basketball shots in the main gym, Volleyball comeback from 11‐1 to win.  DECA, MUN, and musicals too, We are always cheering on our KCVI crew,  As we take on the world and show who we are, 

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Part two: Pandemic  March 13th, that fateful day. We all remember when the announcement was made: “Hey there! We must take a two‐week break! A deadly virus means our school year will have to wait! But don’t worry, we will be back soon enough.” Hindsight is 20/20, we know that es mate was way off…  And thus began our online school. Calculus in bed? That sounds pre y cool! Domain, range, rate of change… And wow that deriva ve is steep. Okay... I think I’ll go back to sleep. But very quickly I missed my friends. I really really REALLY wanted all this to end.  Part three: KSS  By September we realized COVID was here to stay. Masks in class, that’s a small price to pay, For in‐class learning at old KC, And the possibility that at lunch we could play frisbee. A test a week? Things are ge ng crazy, But we’re together and that’s enough for me.  Wait, our school is too old, too cold. Don’t worry, we’re told, alas behold! The stories are true, A school that’s brand new! And my oh my it is lovely inside. For the rest of the year, this is where we’ll reside. And thus we packed, and stacked and hauled 227 years of history to fill the new walls. Goodbye, KC. We cheer, we laugh,  we cry. New places!  But not like grade 9.  In the halls I s ll passed the same friendly faces. A week of school here, a project a test, Then a break, two more months, and, well, you know the rest.  Part four: Goodbye  Kingston Collegiate & Voca onal Ins tute. The crumbling walls like a monument from ancient Greece or Rome. I remember those who’ve stood in my place, and call KC home. Kingston Secondary School. A vessel to carry us into the future. I applaud all the young minds who have shown resilience this year, and the young minds to carry out the legacy the class of 2021 has built, right here.  And now...it’s me for us to go. Take what we learned, and venture off to new unknowns. And seek success and grow and grow, and learn, and fail, and learn, and improve.  In hopes that a candle flame in Tibet will lean when I move

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