PECI’s annual culmination ceremony celebrated the team effort required to get the graduating class of PECI over the finish line in 2023.

Our grads had much to celebrate last Thursday evening, most of all, perhaps, thwarting the clutches of COVID lockdowns and winding up their secondary school careers with some sense of normalcy.

PECI’s Class of 2023 Valedictorian Sage Noxon. (Jason Parks/Gazette Staff)

The Panthers roared together one last time, flinging their mortar boards into the air, defying a pandemic that changed the world forever. It will remain part of a shared history — one this group of grads was able to overcome.

Valedictorian Sage Noxon spoke of individual perseverance combined with the  collaboration that helped 98 graduates receive their Ontario Secondary School Diploma. 

Ms. Noxon drew inspiration from the words of her mother Vicki Emlaw, who delivered the 1989 PECI valedictory address. Ms. Emlaw had described how her class had bonded by spending their five years together, encouraging one another to survive the mid-1980’s high school experience.

“Our high school experience was a little bit different to say the least,” said Ms. Noxon. “For much of the past four years we were not together at all. It was only half a year into grade 9 when we were sent home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, away from teachers, away from coaches and away from our team.”

At the point in their lives where peers are crucial, they were stripped away. The newest Panthers were stuck at home. Alone.

“Each of us, learning how to navigate life from behind a computer screen, getting stuck in this back-to-school and back-at-home loop. It was lonely and it was hard. It was something we never could have imagined would happen to us — but we persevered. And through it we learned independence and strength, but most of all we realized the importance of teamwork and friendship. Each and every one of you persevered when things were hardest and here we are now together, as a team.”

PECI’s top graduate Christine Thornton accepts the 2023 Governor General’s medal from Principal Andrew Ross. (Jason Parks/Gazette Staff)

Noxon pointed to PECI staff and their dedication to teaching as a major reason so many of her fellow classmates were taking part in the 2023 graduate ceremony. But she did get her digs in on the staff-student hockey game, where students pulled one out with a score of 15-2.

“In all seriousness, our teachers deserve the most sincere thank you from each one of us. PECI has grown to be quite a special place in my heart. Not that it’s perfect, every school has its faults, but the staff at our school make the difference. Not only did they work tirelessly over the years to ensure we were learning, but they gave many of us second chances when we probably didn’t deserve them. They not only prepared us for exams but they prepared us for the future each of us will make for ourselves.”

Principal Andrew Ross offered his final remarks as the school’s top administrator. Principal Ross will take on new challenges within the Hastings & Prince Edward District School Board next fall.

“This has been a long road. To the families that are here tonight supporting your graduate, you’ve reached a very important crossroads. But this graduation ceremony is not the end of the journey. It’s the start of a new one,” Ross said, calling on the new graduates to pause  and reflect on the shared experiences, the friendships forged, and celebrate the personal development that has taken place over the past four years.

He also asked the class of 2023 to reflect on the profound nature of learning.

“Learning transcends the confines of the classroom and permeates every aspect of our lives. It manifests in our triumphs and trials and in both the expected and unexpected moments. I’m excited and envious that your classroom is about to get a whole lot bigger.”

Of almost 100 grads, 32 were Ontario Scholars, graduating with an academic average of 80 per cent or higher in six Grade 12 courses.

There were 7 Ontario Specialist High School Major Certificate earners and a handful of Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program grads.

Christine Thornton was the top student in 2023. She earned the Governor General’s medal for highest academic standing in both Grades 11 and 12 and a few other major awards on Thursday night. Other multiple-award-winning students included Ms. Noxon, Bethany Foster, Lily Bailas, Alice Graham, Emily Brisley, Kaydance Channell, Emma Colton, Riley Grimmon, Elizabeth Kuepfer, Wyatt Loft, Jack Martin, Anastasia Natarina, Summer Peeling, Natalie Rogers and Matthew Vincent.

Congratulations to every single grad. The world lies all before you.