CIHA salutes six new graduates
The Class of 2017 from the Canadian International Hockey Academy numbers half a dozen this year, smaller than previous graduating classes, but this one features two four-year students receiving their diplomas during the June 16 ceremony in Rockland.
Hishan Barayan and Jeremy Vasquez both finished their fourth and final year in Rockland as students at the Canadian International Hockey Academy (CIHA). They, along with their fellow grads, Ethan Hunt, Jake Jurgeneit, Devin Johnson, and Eric Walbourned, enjoyed the applause of their family, friends, and other well-wishers during the morning’s festivity.
CIHA founder, Robert Bourdeau, offered a few last pieces of advice to the Class of 2017 during his traditional speech. He began by urging the six to “seize the day” and try never to let an opportunity slip by to both learn and improve themselves and also to enjoy a wonderful and fun-filled life.
“Every moment passed is a moment lost forever,” Bourdeau said. “Up to now, the parents have been writing their (graduates’) book of life. Today they start writing their own books. Make sure to fill those books with good stories.”
Ottawa-based Blythe Academy responsible for the academic side of the CIHA. Principal Susan Kelly said duing a later interview that it has been “a wonderful, wonderful experience” working with the graduates of the Class of 2017.
“This year’s grads were an excited, motivated, and dedicated group of students,” Kelly said, noting that one grad plans on a career in biomedicine while another looks towards a future in aerospace engineering.
“We truly believe that these students are going to do great things.”
Jurgeneit is the recipient of four of this year’s CIHA graduation awards, including those for Top Graduating Athlete, the CIHA Staff Award, the Character Always Award, and the CIHA Principal’s Plaque. Barayan, this year’s valedictorian, received the Scholar’s Award for Top Graduating Student and also a Founders Scholarship Award for Academic Excellence.
Also receiving Founders Scholarship Awards were Hunt and Vasquez. Walbourne earned the Alumni Award for Perseverance. La classe de 2017 de l’Académie canadienne internationale de hockey compte une demi-douzaine cette année, plus petite que les classes précédentes, mais celle-ci comprenait deux étudiants de quatrième année recevant leur diplôme lors de la cérémonie du 16 juin à Rockland.