VIDEO – Students, educators, administrators, parents, community members and others gathered on Friday, April 8 in Tla’Amin (Sliammon) First Nation to honour student accomplishments at the first ever Celebration of Success Night.
The event gave the community chance to honour and celebrate the achievements of students and to offer messages of encouragement. Over 40 students from kindergarten to grade 12 were honoured for their successes in academics, work habits and attendance. Beyond grade three, all students who earned an A or B grade in math, language arts, social studies or science received an award. In the grades below three, any students who achieved high ratings for social responsibility were honoured.
All of the children receiving awards were invited along with their families to come to the event. Many community elders and notable public figures attended, including Chief Clint Williams who emceed the event, to support the students and offer words of wisdom. Booths by local and out-of-town educational organizations promoted further learning opportunities, everything from StrongStart Early Learning to the University of Victoria (UVIC) nursing program.
“I think it’s really important for families and parents and community to see the good that is coming from the children and from the schools,” said School District 47 co-ordinator of First Nations programs-elementary Gail Blaney. “I wanted the families here to pat the kids on the back and just raise them up and give them a little bit of pride in what they’re doing.”
After a warm welcome from elder Dr. Elsie Paul, guests were treated to a prayer song from the primary school children and music from James Thomson Elementary School choir. Educators joined in by performing a skit about Mink and Cloud before guest speakers spoke to the students about the importance of education and offered guidance in their academic careers.
An emotional Lia Galligos spoke to the crowd of her appreciation for the opportunity she has had to go back to school to study nursing at UVIC. Galligos, a young mother, received sponsorship from the community which allowed her to pursue her studies. She acknowledged her family and the community and told the students that it’s not always easy but that anybody can do it and it’s never too late.
Elder Eugene Louie, the first First Nations student to graduate from the Powell River public school system, spoke to the youth of the importance of education and to the community of the importance of being able to help financially. Louie told the crowd how he was offered work in Powell River straight out of high school but decided to go work for the Tla’Amin community instead, a decision he hopes some of the youth decide to make after earning an education.
“I think we’ve set a standard here and I challenge all the youth to go out and get your education,” said Louie, “Hopefully some of you may come back to serve and help our community to a higher level.”
Award winners:
Oceanview Secondary School
Harry, Brody: math, social studies, English, science
Louie, Tyra: Sliammon language, social studies
Noble, Rae-Dene: Sliammon, math, social studies, English, science, work habits
Wilson, Hayley: top attendance, Sliammon language
Brooks Secondary School
Carta, Renato: social studies, English
Charlie, Angus: top attendance
Galligos, Carmen: science
Harry, Beth: science
Harry, Cody: math
Harry, Zoe: Sliammon, math, English
Hillis, Mariah: science
Hillis, Shania: Sliammon language, social studies
Mahy, Trent: social studies
Mitchell, Megan: science
Pielle, Ryan: Sliammon language
Point, Lucas: science
Point, Zack: top attendance
Smith, Caitlyn: work habits
Timothy-McGee, Sadie: social studies
Wilson, Tarin: science
Intermediate, James Thomson Elementary School
Adams, Gabriella: social studies, science, Sliammon language
Blaney, Kaylei: social studies, science, Sliammon language
Cole, Keden: language arts, math
Dominic, Cheyenne: social studies, math
Gallagher, Jacob: science
Galligos, Cara: social studies
Galligos, Jara: social studies, math, work habits
Galligos, Jordan: math, science
Galligos, Miya: work habits, social studies, math, science
George, Layla: top Sliammon language, math, social studies, science, language arts
Hackett, CJ: science
Harry, Annika: social studies, language arts, math, science, Sliammon language
Harry, Callie: work habits, social studies, math, science
Louie, Erica: math, language arts, science, Sliammon language
Paul, Kirsten: work habits, social studies, science, Sliammon language
Timothy-McGee, Sharlene: math, language arts, social studies, Sliammon language
Washington, Alana: social studies, language arts, science, Sliammon language
Wilson, Jeanine: math, best attendance intermediate
Louie, Rebecca: math
Intermediate, Assumption School
Louie, Benson: top attendance intermediate
Wilson, Tiffany:top attendance middle school
Harry, Susan: social studies, language arts, science
Primary, James Thomson Elementary School
Galligos, Cedar: top work habits
Gustafson, Dakota: social responsibility, work habits, Sliammon language
Hackett, Richard: top attendance primary (tie)
Harry, Dion: social responsibility
Louie, Alyssa: work habits
Mitchell, Elizabeth: work habits
Tom, Lylee: work habits
Washington, Alexa: top attendance primary (tie)
Primary Assumption School
Gustafson-Boyd, Jasmine: social responsibility
Louie, Braedyn: social responsibility
Louie, Bronson: top attendance intermediate
