News Leader News for May 29, 2007
PSS CLASS OF '07 - THEY'RE ON THEIR WAY
Princeton's Grads of '007' made their final public appearance as students in a gym decorated with dice, cards and stars. They walked in on a path strewn with large currency replicas.
Clearly, these young people are willing to take a gamble on their future with every expectation of success.
The crowd in the gym at Princeton Secondary School was smaller than usual, but then, there were only 22 grads. The grads left an empty chair for Tanner Hogg, who should have graduated with them, and a moment of silence was held in his memory.
Principal Bill Lawrence was Master of Ceremonies. He introduced several guest speakers.
Alex Atamanenko, MP, brought a message of hope for the future, telling the class their ideas are needed, and suggesting they become involved in the process of government.
Harry Lali, MLA, was unable to attend due to a funeral, but sent his congratulations in an e-mail read by Steve LePoidevin.
Mayor Randy McLean chose the opportunity to tell the public the Forest Corporation has endowed $20,000 for an annual $1,000 scholarship.
Next year would be the first year it would be given, but Envirogreen Technologies stepped forward to cover 2007.
Mayor McLean spoke of the opportunities the grads have waiting for them, and expressed the community's pride in their achievements.
School Trustee Dina Slowikowski-Campbell told the class it cost a million dollars to educate them this far, and asked them to give thanks to parents, teachers and everyone who helped them. She encouraged them to use their unique skills.
School Superintendent Byron Robbie told the grads they are the product of one of the top six school systems in the world.
Each year, the graduating class invites a special guest speaker. Retired teacher Steve Fitzpatrick was honoured this year. It was easy to see why he was chosen, as his advice to them was good, and delivered with humour. Best of all was his opening, as he told them, "Graduation looks good on you people."
A slide show followed highlighting, with photos, the progress of each grad's life. It was presented with a background song saying, "18 til I die".
Over $30,000 in scholarships and bursaries was awarded to this year's grads who applied for funding. (see list)
The final award is the prestigious Bernice Wardle Trophy. Wardle died in a car accident in 1942. She was a top student, athletic and involved in school activities. The trophy has been presented every year to the grad who ranks highest in academic achievement, athletics and service, combined. This year the award went to MaryAnn Campbell.
There were three valedictorians. Amy Burke and Denis Gutierrez-Ogrinc gave a humorous review of their progress through various schools. The third valedictoria, Miranda Grigg, gave a more serious farewell from the class and to the end of school days.
Following the presentation of Dogwood Certificates, Principal Lawrence thanked everyone who had contributed to the success of the graduation ceremonies of 2007.
2007 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT LIST
The list of 2007 Scholarship Recipients from the Princeton Secondary School graduating class includes:
- Norm Cleven Memorial - Keith Vinthers
- Princeton District Teachers Union - Ian Stout or MaryAnn Campbell (to be determined following Final Exams)
- Rotary Club Bud DeWolf Memorial - MaryAnn Campbell
- Rotary Club Technical Institute - Cliff Lindley
- Rotary Club Trades - Ian Stout, Brad Haigh
Royal Canadian Legion Ladies Auxiliary - MaryAnn Campbell, Miranda Grigg - Trehearne Family Bursary - Amy Burke
- Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 56 - Mike Date, Miranda Grigg
- Grad Legacy - Brian Burnstad
CUPE 847 - Denis Gutierrez-Ogrinc - Investors Group - Keith Vinthers
Jennifer Cusworth Memorial Bursary - Miranda Grigg - John Haayer Memorial - Mike Date
Princeton Lions Club - Brad Haigh - Michelle Webster Memorial Bursary - Denis Gutierrez-Ogrinc
- UBC Okanagan Community Builders - MaryAnn Campbell
- Pepsi Bottling Group - Denis Gutierrez-Ogrinc
- Harris & Company Law Office - MaryAnn Campbell
- A. R. Meston Memorial Bursary - Miranda Grigg
- Princeton Hospital Auxiliary - Dylan Bertucci
- Princeton Dramatic Arts Council - MaryAnn Campbell
- Nicola-Similkameen Principals' and Vice-Principals' Association - Miranda Grigg
- Tanner Hogg Memorial Bursary - Amy Burke
- Valley First Credit Union - Amy Burke
- Jim Boyce Memorial Bursary - Cliff Lindley
- Senior Citizens Branch 30 - Miranda Grigg Dogwood District Authority Awards
- Denis Gutierrez-Ogrinc, MaryAnn Campbell, Ian Stout, Brad Haigh
- Fortis BC - Cliff Lindley
- Family - Dylan Bertucci, Amy Burke, Brian Burnstad, MaryAnn Campbell, Mike
Date, Miranda Grigg, Denis Gutierrez-Ogrinc, Brad Haigh, Cliff Lindley, J. J. Shalla, Alex Rempel, Ian Stout, Keith Vinthers.
AVIATION HISTORIAN SPEAKS ON PRINCETON AIRPORT
On June 5 at Riverside Wellness Centre local residents will have an opportunity to learn the history of Princeton Airport.
There are some surprising bits of history about the local airport. For example, the present location was not the first airfield.
Here are a few footnotes in Princeton's aviation history:
July 1919 - Ernest Hall lands his Curtiss biplane in downtown Princeton and fills up at the gas station before continuing on to Penticton.
April 1929 - Approval was given for the construction of an airfield at Princeton.
May 1929 - William Archibald, Cominco Mine Manager, Trail, BC, lands his deHavilland Gypsy Moth biplane at the new Princeton airfield on Five Mile Road.
October 1932 - The Federal Government announced plans to build a new airfield at Princeton as part of the Unemployment Relief Scheme using only picks and shovels and wheelbarrows.
August 1937 - A government survey team selects Princeton as the site of a Radio Range aerial navigation project on a proposed airway from Vancouver to Lethbridge.
August 1938 - Trans Canada Airlines began training its pilots with landing procedures at Princeton and each airfield between Vancouver and Lethbridge.
May 1943 - The Royal Canadian Air Force began using the Princeton airfield for training flights.
The presentation will begin at 7:00 PM. Chris Weicht, who has written a book about the history of airports in B.C. , is the keynote speaker.
Weicht's current book, Trans Canada Airway, is the fourth volume in a seven book series on Western Canadian aviation history.
Weicht's research shows that the Canadian Air Board originally conceived a Trans Canada Airway in 1920 as a development of the trans Canada flight from coast to coast.
Princeton's location proved to be essential throughout the decades of development in air travel routes in Western Canada.
CLUB INSTALLS 2007/08 EXECUTIVE
Princeton Rotary Club hosted their annual Installation Supper May 22nd at the Skills Centre.
Close to fifty members, spouses and friends attended the event which saw the 2006/07 Executive installed for a second term.
Returning to the President seat is Lawrence Stoochnoff.
He is joined by Secretary George Elliott, Treasurer Larry Stevens, Jr. and Sergeant-at-Arms Mike Talarico.
Joining the executive is President Elect 2008-09 Patrick Robins and Directors Ernie Lawrence (Student Exchange), Randy Clark (International Service), Karen Manion (Club Service) and Judy Short (Community Service).
Three new members were also officially welcomed into the Club: Randy Clark, Karen Manion and Judy Short.
A number of awards were also presented including Club Recognition Awards to Trenna MacLeod for 'Best New Project' - the Rotary Fest of Ales, Colleen Stevens for 'Enthusiasm and Support' throughout the year and Bill Huyssoon received an award for his 'Outstanding Attendance.'
Stan Hiebert was named Rotarian of the Year and Bob Cormack received a Paul Harris Fellowship.
