Thank you for not giving up - North Queens Principal

“We’re all like birds just learning to fly. We may fall once, we may fall twice, but we will not always fall. We will learn to fly,” said Valedictorian Felicia Fancy.

Principal David O’Quinn addressed the students, thanking them for the laughs they brought and the stories he’ll cherish. Most of all however, he said, “Thank-you for not giving up on high school, and that goes for a number of you who had to work hard to get here. You made it.”

Principal O’Quinn also thanked the mystery students, who redecorated his office whenever he left town. Later on in the ceremony the students revealed themselves to the principal, although surprisingly before they got their diplomas.

The guest speaker of the evening was Vicki MacKay, who recorded her speech on a video.

She said the students are a determined bunch of young adults, who go for what they want and don’t give up until they get it. “As they say in Caledonia, Get ‘er done. Well, you Got ‘er done.”

Students Robyn Herman and Candace Langille presented the class history. They shared memories of mischief the students got into over the years, which had the crowd in stitches.

In her address, Fancy said the next step in life comes with immense freedom, to choose whether they enter the workforce or continue on with their education. However whatever they do, she said, do it with “honesty, dignity and a sense of enjoyment.” “Never let anyone or anything stop you from accomplishing your goals. Don’t ever give up, and remain hopeful.”

Almost $22,000 worth of scholarship money was handed out to the students heading on to post-secondary education. Sarah Flemming received the Governor General’s Award, and the Queen Elizabeth Medal was presented to Felicia Fancy.