The class of 2026 at Vankleek Hill Collegiate Institute (VCI) is now part of history. The graduation ceremony was held on Thursday, June 25 with 94 students receiving their Ontario Secondary School Diploma or certificate of achievement.
Acting VCI Principal Joanna Price referred to a VCI attendance register of 31 graduating students from 1895 and compared the high school experience then to today.
“Tonight, class of 2026, you join that story,” Price said.
“Here we are standing on the threshold of a future none of us can predict,” she continued.
Price said that no matter the challenges, every generation has always had people who were able to show resilience and care to overcome challenges and strengthen communities.
She then highlighted the positive contributions the graduates made to VCI during the past four years.
“You brought energy to this building, you brought life,” Price said.
However, she said it was time for the students to move on.
“You are not meant to stay, you are meant to grow, you are meant to leave,” Price emphasized.
“Thank you for the laughter, the energy, and the resilience you brought to these halls,” she concluded.
The Valedictorians for the graduating class were Soraya McCall Jean-Louis and Madison Parisien.
“Regardless of our paths, we all stand here today united as one graduating class,” Parisien said.
“Some lessons came from the textbooks, but many came from the people we had around us,” she noted.
“Thank you to our teachers for your patience, encouragement, and dedication,” said McCall Jean-Louis.
The Valedictorians specifically acknowledged the retirement of arts teacher Gisele Paquette.
“Thank you Madame Paquette for being a wonderful teacher in our lives,” Parisien said.
McCall Jean-Louis will be pursuing a Bachelor of Social Sciences, Joint Honours in Communication and Political Science, French Immersion at the University of Ottawa. Parisien is pursuing studies in Criminology at York University in Toronto.
Several graduates also received awards for academic and other achievements. The Ontario Principal’s Council Award was presented to Madison Parisien. The Principal’s Trophy and Centennial Bursary were presented to Alisander Schwendemann. In a departure from protocol, Schwendemann’s father, VCI teacher Shane Schwendemann, presented his son with his diploma.
Alisander Schwendemann will be studying Concurrent Education with French as a Second Language Specialization at the York University Glendon Campus in Toronto.
The Governor-General’s Bronze Academic Award was presented to Matthew Steele. He is planning to earn a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Geology at Queen’s University in Kingston.
Among the 94 graduates, 32 graduated with designation of Ontario Scholar for maintaining an average of 80 per cent in any six of their Grade 12 courses.
Many students received awards and bursaries from local service clubs, fraternal organizations, municipalities, and businesses. Madison Parisien is the 2026 recipient of The Review Bursary. Parisien completed a cooperative education placement at The Review during the second semester of her Grade 12 year. She enthusiastically assisted with aspects of journalism and office operations at The Review. Her positive attitude, optimism, and friendly interactions with all staff members were appreciated by everyone. The Review wishes Madison the very best in her future studies and career plans.
Photos: James Morgan
