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stouffville suntribune thursday nov u 2004 7 stouffvilles youth today give hope for tomorrow i had the privilege of attending two exciting events last week very similar yet very differ ent the first was the 50th annual stouffville district high school commence ment at springvale baptist church the second was the 12th annual student music scholarship concert at sdss i departed from each with a profound faith in the future of our nation and regenerat ed enthusiasm for our youth at the graduation cere mony i was merely a specta tor who unlike most in that huge assembly of proud par ents had no direct associa tion with the focal point of program at the music concert i was a participant a commit tee member who for 11 years has helped set wheels in motion transforming longsought dreams into realities i departed from each restored our community and country isnt headed to hell in a hand basket as some proclaim but is safe in the hands of dedicated teachers whose only interest is the wellbeing of students entrusted to their care these are gems on a stage of life too often fraught with contention and dissension for two nights in succes sion it felt good to be part of programs surrounded by positives instead of nega tives celebrations instead of sorrows enjoyment instead of dejection i heard no references to strikes or threats of strikes no suggestions of slow downs or worktorules no barbs toward educators or politicians and no com plaints of too much work for too little pay everything was honest and honourable for two evenings at least all seemed right with the world it was sdss principal arlene smith who set the stage tonight is a highlight in your life she said you the graduates of 2004 can make a difference said whitchurch- stouffville trustee loralea carruthers you the leaders of tomorrow are walking a new and exciting path sixtythree grade 12 grad uates received diplomas including 45 ontario schol ars prominent within this procession were the recipi ents of four special awards brooke acton shannon hirlehey richard little and warren schad excellence in education awards were presented to allecia bankuti tiziana cotechini lindsay thompson and erica travers im llik 4sb hi roaming around with jim thomas york region board of education awards went to brooke acton and erin knights meanwhile at fridays concert grade 12 student carly macleod received the st james presbyterian church 100 scholarship receipts from the concert totalled 4695 bringing the 12year total to 39684 the money was divided among participating schools to assist their music programs while choirs bands dancers and soloists high lighted the concert thursdays commencement had its own instrumental ensemble under the direc tion of sdss staff music instructor dan mcconnachie members included jessica aprile karli montesano lauren thornton jan viljoen and james potter but it was the address by valedictorian tizania cotechini that made the commencement complete directing her remarks mainly to the graduating class tizania stressed the importance of the occasion a moment she said no one can take away its a time she said when we take a step back and contemplate not where life will take me but where i will direct my life the speaker described sdss as a small school with a big spirit a lot of heart and an amazing student body and faculty when i look around this sanctuary i see encouraging faces she continued faces of people who care about us most family members teachers and friends together we have matured and lived through perhaps the most difficult yet most exciting time in our lives in conclusion she urged graduates not to fear making sacrifices en route to accom plishing what each has set out to achieve if the present looks daunting she said let past accomplishments be your inspiration to overcome all challenges ahead two great evenings just cause for parental pride jim thomas is a stouffville resident who has written for area newspapers for more than 50 years chimney remember to check your chimney regularly for signs of corrosion or deterioration have all chimneys cleaned and inspected at least once a year this message brought to you as a community service ol tlie economist suntribune jnssa whitchufchstouffviue softball association annual general meeting thursday december 2 2004 730 pm lebovic leisure centre all registered members encouraged to attend the wssa is actively seeking nominations for executive positions nominees must be recommended by two members and submitted by nov 17th by mail to wssa nominating committee co paul doner box 163 gormley on l0h 1g0 your christmas store 7t and much- more i v enjoy the fresh scents of an oldfasfiioryra christmas visit garden gallery and enjoy our spectacular collection offfesh cedar fir pine and balsam boughs swags wreaths garlands twigs and more and while youre here talk to our decorating experts theyll help you get fantastic results with all your holiday decorating wreaths swags garlands twigs urimissing balls 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