Photo 1: The Grade 8 graduating class at Cobden District Public School are, front row from left, Jordan Mitchell, Ethan Johnson, Joseph Mick, Kalista O’Brien-Meringer, Alyssa Misener, Tyson Tomasini, Patrick Holmes, Ethan Prins. Back row from left: Jordon Oattes, Jocelyn Smaglinski, Felisha Rathwell, Abby Martin, Natasha Kargus, Katelyn Stewart, Taylor Olmstead, Olivia Peever and Megan Loan.
Photo 2: The Grade 8 graduating class of Cobden District Public School. Students are, front row from left, Jocelyn Smaglinski, Kougar Devine, Hilary Dick, Josh Hartwig, Andrew Blok, Daniella Bell, Kaitlyn Bourgeois, Tim Brochu. Back row from left: Carson Edwards, Nia Beamish, Theo Einboden, Beatrice Herwig, Katelyn Belsher, Brynne Delaurier, Sidney Broome, Michael Bailey and Matthew Dick.
by DANIELLA BELL
Valedictorian
Good evening fellow graduates, teachers, family, and friends. I’m so honoured to have the opportunity to speak on behalf of the graduating class of 2016. For many of us, Cobden District Public School has been our home away from home for 10 years. We have made so many memories and so many friends here at Cobden. Looking around the gym tonight I realize, in the words of Winnie the Pooh, how lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.
We have done lots of growing in our time here at CDPS. We have gone from tots to teenagers, learning important lessons along the way from our parents, families and of course, our teachers. Not only have our teachers taught what is in the curriculum, they also have taught us valuable life lessons that have shaped us into the people we are today. While all the teachers we’ve had over the years have played a role in this, I thought it might be fun to look at how our intermediate teachers have influenced us the past two years.
Let’s begin with Mrs. Burgess. The first day of Grade 7, when going over the lockdown procedure, she explained, “Okay, so if there’s an intruder, grab a pair of scissors, and sit against the wall.” I truly fear for the poor soul that ever tries to attack Mrs. Burgess’ room. Life lesson: Protect yourself by any means necessary!
In Mr. Covell’s math class, there was a really tough question that kept resurfacing. “How do they make Doritos into a triangle if they are made out of potatoes?” The question was debated for months, until Mr. Covell finally told the class: Guys, they’re corn chips — Not potato chips. Life lesson: know the difference between corn and potatoes.
Mme. Lindsay taught us, if all else fails, just dance. EJ and Tyson can dance a mean Gangnam Style! And, by the way, Mme. Lindsay, I just have to say it, I STILL don’t think Laura Secord was a spy!
Mme. Sara has taught us about kindness, compassion, and school spirit. Although she only became a mother in December to sweet little Spencer, she has been a second mother to many of us for quite some time. Some of us have been known to call her mom on occasion. Life lesson: Mother knows best!
Mme. Desiree taught me a life lesson at Canada’s Wonderland. You know you have a good teacher when she still goes on a scary ride with you after you ask her, “What will happen if I throw up on you?” Life lesson: Loyalty matters! Thanks for not bailing Mme.!
Mme. Nathalie taught us the importance of good sportsmanship. Cobden has done so well at all the tournaments we’ve been to this year. Go Cobden Cougars!
Mr. Grady taught us a life lesson one day in October when we were all dressed up for Hallowe’en. I explained that I was Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games, and he nodded in understanding. In disbelief, Brynne exclaimed, “Mr. Grady, you’ve seen The Hunger Games?!?!” Mr. Grady calmly replied, with just a hint of sarcasm, “No, actually. I spend my days in my cave watching Charlie Brown and eating Score bars.” Life lesson: Teachers DO have lives outside of school.
Ms. Leavoy taught us to think critically, form a strong opinion, and be Divergent thinkers. I know Theo has many ideas on how to solve the world’s water problem. Anybody got supplies for building a giant Britta Filter? Life lesson: Be creative.
And Mrs. Bell… well, she was alright. We’ve had lots of fun practising and performing at our music night where we even had a special drum-off between Batman and Superman. Now, I’m not saying EP is Superman, but have you noticed that EP and Superman are never in the same room together? All kidding aside, we’ve learned to open our eyes to music, and to find the song in our hearts. Life lesson: Music will always be with us.
The office crew: Mrs. Bell, Mrs. McGregor, and Mrs. Mullen taught us that being organized makes things run smoothly. Look at how well the grade 8 trip went!
Speaking of the grade 8 trip, when I asked my classmates what their favourite memory of grade 8 was, a great number of them said: not dying in Toronto. I know I’m glad we made it back to the school in one piece. Thank goodness we didn’t get “ambooshed” in Toronto. We would have been in a real “perdickerment”. But don’t worry, we conquered that city, right Joe? You did want me to put you in the speech.
My favourite thing about this class is that we often just randomly burst into song. I’m sure all my classmates remember when we all started singing
“See You Again” on the way back from Carleton University last year. So, I thought it appropriate to close with these words: “Let the light guide your way, hold every memory as you go, and every road you take will always lead you home.”
Cobden will always be like our home. We’re like our own little family.
Maya Angelou once said: People may not remember what you said, or what you did, but they will remember how you made them feel. We will always remember how Cobden made us feel and in the future, when we walk through the doors, I’m sure we will be welcomed with warm hugs and beautiful memories.
Thanks to our families and our teachers, we are ready to embark on our high school adventure. We have the courage to dream, and the power
to succeed. And so, our journey at Cobden has come to an end, but our new journey is just beginning. We will always have Cobden school in our hearts. We are a family of friends. We are straight outta Cobden. We are the Graduating Class of 2016.
Cobden District Public School Awards
Valedictorian: Daniella Bell
Rick Hansen Effort Award: Taylor Olmstead
Good Citizenship: Joceylyn Smaglinski, Olivia Peever, Joseph Mick
Harold B. Bennett Award: Theodore Einboden, Jordon Oattes
Joni Mitchell Arts Award: Jordon Oattes, Patrick Holmes, Daniella Bell, Jocelyn Smaglinski
Athlete Awards: Tyson Tomasini, Hilary Dick, Kaitlyn Bourgeois
Principal’s Leadership Award: Ethan Prins
Renfrew County Medallions: Daniella Bell, Kaitlyn Bourgeois, Jocelyn Smaglinski
Cobden ‘C’ Awards: Andrew Blok, Daniella Bell, Hilary Dick, Kaitlyn Bourgeois, Alyssa Misener, Jordan Mitchell, Natasha Kargus, Tylor Olmstead, Patrick Holmes, Katie Belsher, Katie Stewart, Ethan Prins, Olivia Peever, Beatrice Herwig, Felicia Rathwell, Brynne Delaurier, Tim Brochu, Jocelyn Smaglinski, Nia Beamish, Sydney Broome, Jordon Oattes
