The Cochrane Eagle would like to congratulate all the 2014 graduating students in Cochrane and area. Here are profiles of some local students and the path they have chosen as they move on to the next phase in their lives.
Kelly Fawcett, 18, is a Springbank kid who cares.
About other kids, that is. The 2014 Springbank Community High School grad will be heading off to Mount Royal University in the fall to study business — perhaps leaving her hairbrush at home.
The young woman rallied her fellow high school mates and a handful of teachers to shave their lids for Kids Cancer Care May 1.
The bald bunch managed to raise some $15,000 for the non-profit organization. Teacher Iaon Matthews kept his promise to also wax his legs after he raised his personal goal of $3,000 for kids’ cancer.
Kelly said if she had to do it over again, she absolutely would.
Jaelyn Clarke, 17, will be attending Mount Royal University in the fall to study animal sciences, in pursuit of achieving her dream to become a veterinarian.
“I love animals,” she smiled, citing the horse as her favourite beast. “They have kind hearts, they’re compassionate — they take care of one another.”
The oldest of four girls, Jaelyn said it’s important for her to be a good role model to her three younger sisters and make her family proud.
Jaelyn will set the bar for her three younger siblings by honouring her family as the first to go to post-secondary.
Dakota Crow Spreads His Wings, 18, is the valedictorian for the Morley Class of 2014.
With sights set on attending Mount Royal University in the fall, Dakota is thinking about studying computer engineering but has enjoyed subjects such as English and social studies during his high school career.
Honouring his family and his community is very important to this young graduate.
His most prized family heirloom is a handcrafted traditional Native drum crafted by his father from one of the last deer hides tanned by his late great grandmother, Ruth Kootenay.
Taylor DeBoer, 18, will begin her studies at the Alberta College of Art and Design this fall to pursue a degree in fine arts.
As she gears up to hit the books, however, DeBoer will be keeping her eyes peeled for opportunities to apprentice in the field she hopes to one day work in — as a tattoo artist.
“I think it’s such a beautiful thing to be able to help people,” said the young artist, who has been inspired by her father, Jeff, whose body in covered in extensive artwork — but is reserving one spot for his daughter to someday ink.
Excited to get her first tattoo this July, DeBoer credits her St. Tim’s art teacher, Kathleen Murphy, for mentoring her artistic side.
Favourite medium? Simple pencil.
‘My favourite thing to do is draw the classic celebrities — Marilyn Monroe, Jimi Hendrix…I’m working on Elizabeth Taylor right now.”
Hannah Hall has come a long way during her time at Bow Valley High School.
Describing herself as shy, Hall will soon be gracing the stage and addressing the crowd as 2014 valedictorian.
“I’ve seen myself grow so much here at Bow Valley,” said Hall, who will be off to British Columbia’s Trinity Western University in the fall.
And there’s little wonder Hall excelled during her four years at the high school — she’s been an active member of Students for Change, captained the rugby team and busted out her clarinet for the concert and jazz bands.
It’s music that has Hall’s heart. She began tickling piano keys as a child before making the switch to clarinet in middle school. Her course load freshman year — she’s enrolled in general studies — will include music in some respect, she said.
“Music is something I’ve always been able to rely on,” said Hall. “Everyone connects with it. It’s like a different language that you can pick up.”
Bow Valley High School’s commencement ceremony is slated for June 26.
Danielle (Dani) Makar credits her work ethic for her academic and athletic success.
“Hard work has gotten me everywhere,” said Makar, a versatile soccer player from the Edge School for Athletes. “I can’t control much, but I can control how hard I work and how I feel at the end of the day.”
The 18 year old from Elbow Valley graduates this month and will be making the trek to Nova Scotia this September, accompanied by a scholarship to Antigonish’s St. Francis Xavier University (StFX).
Makar said the east coast school — which consistently ranks high on the McLean’s University Rankings — offers her the best in athletics and academics. She has aspirations to become an engineer — just like her father.
“Academics really was the biggest deciding factor,” said the well-spoken teen. “Even if I do end up playing soccer professionally, I know I can’t play for my entire life. It’s always come back to engineering for me.”
Having visited StFX as a Grade 11 student, Makar said the school offers a similar atmosphere to Edge School — both competitive and supportive.
“I like being around like-minded people,” she remarked. “Everyone is on the same page. They want to do better and be better.”
The Edge School’s graduation is set to run June 27.
