Hawthorn completed another wonderful year in the Upper School with our Closing Ceremony on Friday, June 21st. We began with Holy Mass in the school chapel celebrated by Fr. Eric Nicolai, and from there moved into the Atrium to honour the accomplishments of each of our US students and especially of our 2023-2024 graduands who were processed into the event with their parents to the strains of Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance.
Personal highlights of the year were read aloud as the Grade 8 to 11 students walked across the stage to accept their completion certificates; they included such memorable moments as:
‘Being an emcee at the gala to help support our wonderful school.’
‘Winning second place for the volleyball team.’
‘Acting and watching my fellow actors act in the school play.’
‘Singing at all-school masses.’
‘We had a lot of very interesting and fun Book Club meetings, and I was so happy to see the club really working out.’
Special awards recognized outstanding student accomplishments in many fields, including Mathematics:
Euclid Contest for Grade 12: Sabrina – Certificate of Distinction and school medal
Cayley Contest for Grade 10: Victoria – school medal
Pascal Contest for Grade 8-9: Olivia – school medal
Gauss Contest for Grade 8: Marie Therese – Certificate of Outstanding Achievement; Laura, Sofia and Olivia – Certificates of Distinction
The Fine Arts Award recipients this year are: Marie Therese (Gr.8) and Maria Daniela (Gr.9).
All US students who achieved standing on the Honour Roll (90 – 94% grade average) or Excellence Roll (> 95% grade average) were recognized with certificates.
The recipients of this year’s Board of Directors Scholarship Award for Grade 9 Students are Cecilia and Adesuwa.
The Governor General’s Academic Medal for highest academic average in her grade 11 and 12 courses, upon graduation from high school, went to Sabrina.
Virtue Recognition Certificates were given to students in gr 8-12 who have been recognized by two or more teachers, staff or mentors for displaying virtue at various times this school year. Please see the special article dedicated to these students on our website.
For exhibiting an outstanding spirit of service to others, Monica (Gr.8) received the US Spirit of Service Award.
In recognition of exceptional sportsmanship, dedication, and the love of sports, the Leilani Nolan DeVuono Sportsmanship Award went to Adesuwa (Gr.9).
For the students who best contribute to the common good of the school community through their leadership, the Excellence in Leadership Award went to Rocio (Gr.11) and Ximena (Gr.11).
The 2023-24 Student Council was thanked for their exceptional service to the school and the House Cup was awarded to…. Nightingale House!
We were very fortunate to welcome nutritionist and Hawthorn mentor Maria Sikk to give an inspiring Graduation Address to our class of 2023-24, whom we then conferred with their graduation diplomas as well as a special graduation stole, adorned with the Hawthorn emblem. The graduands’ parents accompanied their daughters in this important milestone moment. Our graduands, besides receiving the Ontario Secondary School Diploma, may receive the Hawthorn School Diploma, indicating that they have completed our liberal arts program (including Latin, philosophy, ethics, moral theology and history), an Ontario Scholar Certificate, given to High school graduates who attain an average of 80% or above in their six best grade 12 courses, and finally, Hawthorn’s E-mo-lor-tie award (Latin for women who have achieved by effort), given to graduates who have been on the honour roll, with an average of 90% or higher, from grades 9 to 12. Huge congratulations to our five graduands:
Salma (OSSD; Ontario Scholar)
Nicole (OSSD; Hawthorn School Diploma; Ontario Scholar)
Emma (OSSD; Hawthorn School Diploma) Emilia (OSSD; Ontario Scholar)
Sabrina (OSSD; Hawthorn School Diploma; Ontario Scholar; Hawthorn Emolortae Award)
For the Valedictorian Address, Sabrina had the prestigious honour of being chosen by her peers to speak on their behalf, and she was followed by a video prepared by all of the Grade 12’s for us to view highlights of their time at Hawthorn.
All faculty were warmly thanked for their genuine dedication, commitment, and love. The recipient of the Hawthorn US Teacher of the Year Award was Magdolna Hamza. The 10-Year Teacher Recognition was awarded to Anne Francis, and the 20-Year Teacher Recognition was awarded to Norina Petre.
In recognition of the important role of parents in their daughters’ education and in the life of the school, Director of Admissions, Amy McRae, thanked all parents and particularly congratulated Jason Lee, a proud Hawthorn dad, as Parent of the Year.
To conclude, the US teachers continued a special Hawthorn tradition by presenting a tribute to our graduates. The graduands’ recessional followed a rousing rendition of our school song, Forever in our Hearts, and we capped off this special morning with ice cream for all!
Congratulations to the entire Hawthorn Upper School, and, once again, especially to our wonderful graduands, Salma, Nicole, Emma, Emilia, and Sabrina!