45 Students Celebrate High School Graduation

Forty-five grade 12 students crossed the stage at Blackville School on Thursday evening, June 23 to receive their high school diplomas.

The valedictorian was Ashlyn Moody and the salutatorian was Laura Jardine. Father Gerry Laskey gave the invocation and the benediction was given by John Beach.

Anglophone School District North Superintendent Beth Stymiest, Southwest Miramichi-Bay-du-Vin MLA Jake Stewart and Blackville School Principal Rodney Buggie addressed the staff, graduates and their guests.

Later that evening after the graduation ceremony, the graduates had their all night Safe Grad event at the school.

During the graduation practice on Thursday morning, the graduates spent some time with the elementary students. Click here to see some photos. 

Blackville School Prom 2016

Blackville High School 2016 graduates pose for prom photos
at the Blackville Park on Saturday afternoon, June 18.

The prom for the Blackville School 2016 graduates and their guests was on Saturday, June 18.

The graduation ceremony is this Thursday evening, June 23.

For more photos from prom day, click here.

Photos by Jules Keenan

Grade 8 Students Celebrate with Banquet and Dance

The grade 8 banquet was held at Blackville School on the evening of June 16. It was a fun filled evening with presentations of “The Grade 8 Fun Awards," a meal of pizza, garlic fingers and a sundae buffet.

Each grade 8 student invited two guests and Middle School staff were also in attendance. 

Grade 8 student Abby Keenan welcomed everyone and grade 8 students Danaya Campbell and Cassidy Urquhart lead the crowd in a grace. The presenters for the evening were Grade 8 students Shana Jardine and Daniel MacVicar.

The banquet concluded with each student receiving their grade 8 certificate and Blackville School t-shirt. Grade 8 student Calvin Keenan offered the thank-you with an invitation to celebrate the rest of the evening at the final Middle School dance. 

The Blackville Middle School Staff extends all the grade 8 students a wonderful summer and best of luck in high school. To see more photos from the banquet and dance, click here. 

Grade 5 Students and Guests Enjoy Banquet on June 14

The grade 5 students and their guests took advantage
of the photo booth where they could "ham it up" with
different props.

The grade 5 banquet was held at Blackville School on the evening of June 14.

Each grade 5 student could invite two guests, along with the elementary staff. 

Guests were treated to pizza, garlic fingers and a sundae buffet. 

There was also a photo booth with different props where students could pose for pictures with family members.

Awards were given in all academic areas. The Ron Pauley Memorial trophy was awarded to Tessa Munn. This award recognizes leadership in athletics. 

The students also performed their version of the song "My Church" as "My Class." For more photos from the banquet, click here. 

Daniel Moody Drafted to Quebec Major Junior Hockey League

Daniel Moody

The Victoriaville Tigers have drafted Blackville School grade 10 student Daniel Moody to the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League on Saturday, June 4th at the EastLink Center in Charlottetown, PEI.

Moody, who is a goaltender, played with The Miramichi Rivermen of the NB/PEI Major Midget League this past season. He was selected 130th overall (8th round) to the QMJHL.

Moody recently answered some questions for The Blackville Talon about the draft:

How did you feel? What were you thinking?
It was a dream come true. Especially to an organization like Victoriaville - a lot of new territory and people and more importantly an opportunity to make a Major Junior Team. Getting my named called was extremely exciting, and I am thankful to have the chance to showcase my talents at a higher level of hockey.

What does this offer mean to you as a person and as a hockey player? Why is it important to you?
Playing in the QMJHL has been a goal of mine for many years. Being able to be part of Victoriaville’s organization will hopefully open many doors for my future playing hockey and give myself a better chance to play on the team. Being drafted is an incredible way to pursue my hockey dream.

When do you start?
The training camp will take place in Victoriaville in mid-August.

Do you have anything you need to do in preparation?
Over the summer I would like to put on some weight and work to get faster and stronger, as well as getting on the ice as much as possible.

What will be your plans after you graduate and what your hopes for playing hockey?
Right now I am focused at taking one step at a time to play the highest level of hockey possible. As for next year, I will attend both the QMJHL training camp and MHL training camp and return to the Rivermen if I am not successful in cracking either lineup.

Students Raise $1100 for Josie Foundation

Blackville School Student Council Representatives present a
cheque for $1100.00 on June 4 to local MLA and Josie
Foundation Founder Jake Stewart. Members of the Student
Council (l-r): Brooke Underhill, Robyn Stewart, Gina Keenan,
Jade Underhill and also grade 10 student Jules Keenan. 

Blackville School students recently raised a total of $1100.00 through various fundraising initiatives for the Josie Foundation.

The fundraising campaign was organized by the High School Student Council.

According to its website, the Josie Foundation "is a non-profit incorporated Foundation whose aim is to establish, receive and maintain a fund for the relief of economic hardship for individuals (families) within the Miramichi area who may be encountering financial difficulty as a result of a life threatening illness."

For more information on the Josie Foundation, click here.

Drinking and Driving Awareness Video Awarded $1300

A video submitted in April by Blackville School grade 12 students for this year's Safe Grad Initiative students was recently awarded just over $1300.00.

The Safe Grad Initiative is sponsored by Alcool NB Liquor (ANBL) in cooperative with the New Brunswick Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.

A total of $20, 000 is offered to winning submissions to help fund safe grad activities. The value of the awards are dependent upon the quality of the submissions.

The objective of the Safe Grad Initiative is to promote responsible choices among teenagers when celebrating high school graduations.

The video created by the four students at Blackville School provides some statistical information as it recounts a tragedy that occurred due to drinking and driving.

The students who produced the video are Calvin Furlong, Bailey Coughlan, Michael Waugh and Brooke Underhill. It also features a Blackville School teacher, Mr. Aaron Johnston.

Middle and High School Recognition Awards 2016

Daniel Richard and Ashlyn Moody received
 the Most Outstanding Academic and Extra-curricular Awards.

Blackville School held their Recognition Awards Ceremony on Monday, June 6. 

Grade 12 student Ashlyn Moody and grade 10 student Daniel Richard received the Most Outstanding Academic and Extra-curricular Awards.

Grade 12 student Brook Underhill received the Fenton Sturgeon Memorial Award which is awarded to a grade 12 student who has been involved in sports for all four years of high school. Special consideration can also be given to students who have volunteered their time coaching younger athletes outside school hours.

High School Male Athlete of the Year went to Grade 12 student Dylan Storey and High School Female Athlete of the Year went to grade 12 student Ashlyn Moody. 

The Kathy McCormack Award, recognizing athletes who are great school ambassadors, went to grade 12 student Josh Underhill.

Middle School Male Athlete of the Year went to grade 8 student Drake Donovan and Middle School Female Athlete of the Year went to grade 8 student Hayley Underhill.

Grade 11 student Robyn Stewart received the School Spirit Award. For more photos from the awards ceremony, click here.

Blackville School Hosts Elementary District Spelling Bee

Kindergarten Winners: 1st prize Winner Nathan Robichaud
of St. Andrews and Runner Up Isak Dubois of NSEE

Grade One Winners: 1st Prize Winner Matty Lirette of
Gretna Green and Runner Up Keenan Underhill of Blackville

Blackville School hosted this year’s Championship ASD-N Elementary Spelling Bee on Thursday, May 26.

A student from each grade level came to Blackville from all over the District to compete in the Spelling Bee against their peers. 

The students had already won competitions held in their own schools, and were now competing to see who would be the ‘Grand Champion’ of their grade level.

With hard words like “cleanliness,” “contagious” and “receive,” all of the K-5 students provided an impressive display of

Grade Two Winners: Runner Up Jace Jardine of Blackville
and 1st Prize Winner Ronan Clark of Gretna Green

literation. 

Grade Three Winners: Runner Up TJ Martin of Gretna Green
and 1st Prize Winner Landon Ferron McGillan of NSEE

For more photos from the event, click here.

The winners are as followed:

Kindergarten

1st - Nathan Robichaud - St. Andrews
Runner Up - Isak Dubois - NSEE

Grade One 

1st - Matty Lirette - Gretna Green
Runner Up - Keenan Underhill - Blackville

Grade Two 

1st - Ronan Clark - Gretna Green
Runner Up - Jace Jardine - Blackville

Grade Three 

1st - Landon Ferron McGillan - NSEE
Runner Up - T.J Martin - Gretna Green

Grade Four 

1st - Ben Walsh - NSEE
Runner Up - Preston Francis - Eel Ground

Grade Five 

1st - Madison Jardine - Millerton
Runner Up - Vinny Johnson - Miramichi Rural

Grade Four Winners: 1st Prize Winner Ben Walsh of NSEE and
Runner Up Preston Francis of Eel Ground

Article and photos by Jules Keenan

Grade Five Winners: Runner Up Vinny Johnson of Miramichi
Rural and 1st Prize Winner Madison Jardine of Millerton

Song Dedicated to Choir Member Graduates at Spring Concert

Members of the Blackville Girls Elementary Choir

Blackville School held their annual Choir and Band Spring Concert on Wednesday evening May 25. 

The choirs have had a busy year. In April, both the Blackville School Girls’ Choir and Elementary Choir were recently awarded the Gold Standard in the Miramichi Regional Music Festival for the third time this year.

“This has been the third year in a row since the festival has been back in business,” said Miss Catherine Frenette, Choir and Band Director. “I’m really proud of the students for their hard work and dedication.”

The concert featured renditions of songs by popular artists and all-time classics. The band opened the night with the song, “It Don’t Mean A Thing, If It Ain’t Got That Swing,” by jazz artist, Duke Ellington.

“We worked really hard to make this night possible, and I am proud of all the work we did,” said Noah Donovan, grade 10 student and devoted band member. The band has been practicing for four and a half months, alongside the Blackville School Girls’ Choir and Elementary Choir. 

Members of the Blackville Girls Senior Choir

The Girls’ Choir began their part of the night with the Latin selection, “Laudate Dominium,” and finished it off with,” Best Day of My Life,” by American Authors. Miss Frenette dedicated this song to the five students who are graduating this year: DeAnna Donovan, Mackenzie Jardine, Ashlyn Moody, Kali Nicholson, and Amelia Underhill. Some of these students have been involved with the Choir since the second grade.

“You girls have been an asset to our choir over the years and will be greatly missed next year,” said Frenette. “I would like to take this opportunity to wish each of you much success in your future endeavors.”

Miss Catherine Frenette has been working at the school as the music teacher for 29 years, and has devoted herself to both programs offered at the school since her arrival. “I have had a fabulous year working with all of the students,” she said. 

Frenette has also posted a card outside of her room thanking each of the students for their hard work, which made the night such a success. For more photos from the concert, click here. 

Photos and article by Jules Keenan