Proud families, teachers, and students gathered on Thursday morning at Twin Lakes Secondary School for the annual Thunderstars ceremony that recognized students' academic achievements.
“We like to recognize all the hard work that the kids have done and encourage them to aspire for it for the rest of their lives,” said Lisa McCullough, the chair of the guidance department at the Orillia secondary school.
The 49ers Club, a unique recognition at Twin Lakes, celebrates students who completed all 40 hours of community service required to graduate, in Grade 9. This year, 36 Grade 9 students earned the award.
Many students were also awarded recognition after earning their way on to the honour roll.
Katie Prentice, the school's vice principal, said making the honour roll or the 49ers club demonstrated a commitment to personal growth. She stressed the value in setting these standards in secondary school.
Prentice said it was important to celebrate the contributions students made to their communities and the values they upheld in their academic achievements.
At the ceremony on Thursday, 137 students were presented with certificates for making the honour roll, achieving a GPA of 80 per cent or higher in the previous year.
The honour roll with distinction celebrates students who achieved an average above 90 percent and 64 students were celebrating that achievement.
Prentice made a point to applaud all the family members present, showing their support for the students. She said that the achievements awarded were a “benchmark for success.”
McCullough echoed those sentiments.
“We want to encourage them on this path in high school and beyond,” she said.
