The final hurrah for the William E. Hay Composite High School filled the seats at the Performing Arts Centre on Friday, Oct. 9, as parents, grandparents and family came to see last year's academic heroes awarded scholarships and celebrate their successes.
With William E. Hay Composite High School no more — replaced this year by the William E. Hay Secondary Campus — the awards are the last time the old school name will be used.
The evening began with an instrumental rendition of the nation's anthem, with students, families, and educators singing along with pride.
Principal Norbert Baharally acted as master of ceremonies for the awards.
"These awards recognize only some of the students who have excelled in the past year or past four years," he told the gathered audience. "These students are not only excellent students, but athletes, musicians, artists and tradespeople."
Over the course of the evening, $134,000 in bursaries and scholarships were given to 145 students from the school, some who showed excellence in their first year last year, or completed their final year of high school with extraordinary success.
The big winner of the night was Heartland Youth Center alumnus Keirsten Docherty, who received the Governor General's medal and the Vera Hansen Scholarship, which was presented by Baharally at the very end of the evening.