Another another cohort of graduates are moving into the next phase of their lives. Some with trepidation, some with excitement – but all with the hope of furthering their lives whether it’s through academics or entering the workforce.

Four area students in particular are looking forward to seeing just how far they can go in their respective fields after receiving the Governor-General’s Academic Medal for finishing at the top of their class at their respective schools.

This year’s top scholar in Orléans was Colin Brooks, who earned a 98 per cent average at Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School.

Brooks is fortunate in that he is one of those rare students for whom academics comes naturally. Besides working on various assignments throughout the year, his main focus in terms of hitting the books was reserved for his exams.

His ability to do well academically without studying for hours on end meant that he had time to fully enjoy his final year of high school by joining several school clubs and playing trombone in the school’s pit band for the musical production of “Hades Town”.

With his high school years finally behind him, Brooks is looking forward to starting the next phase of his academic career at Carleton University where he plans to major in aerospace engineering.

His interest in space and rocketry goes back to the COVID-19 pandemic when he and his mother used to watch old episodes of Star Trek.

But Brooks has no aspirations to travel to outer space himself.

“It’s too scary. I’d rather stay on the ground and help other people get there,” says Brooks.

The Governor-General’s Academic Medal recipient at St Peter High School was Ryan MacDonald.

MacDonald, 18, managed to finish at the top of his class with a 96.17 per cent average. He also made the most of his final year of high school by taking part in nine different sports and was runner-up for the school’s Athlete of the Year Award.

Away from school, MacDonald worked part-time at SportChek and spent over 50 hours volunteering with Cumberland Minor Hockey and helping to maintain the outdoor rink in Rancourt Park in Avalon.

In September, he’ll be heading off to Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia where he plans to pursue an engineering degree.

The Governor-General’s medal recipient at Cairine Wilson Secondary School was Skylar Cooke who earned a 95.74 per cent average.

The 18-year-old Orléans resident balanced her academics by participating on the school’s cross-country running team, the cross-country ski team and the soccer team.

She was also a member of the school’s LINK crew which welcomes new arrivals to the school and act as mentors.

Cooke also has a twin sister who went to a different high school so that they could develop as students individually.

However, both to them will be going to Queen’s University in the fall where they will be roomies and Skylar will pursue a career in nursing.

The east end’s fourth and final Governor-General’s Academic Medal recipient is Rita Anierobi who earned a 96.4 per cent average at St. Matthew High School.

Besides being a top scholar, Anierobi was heavily involved in helping her fellow black students, especially those who were dealing with mental health issues. In fact, she established a “Chill Room”, which provided students dealing with mental health issues a safe and comfortable environment.

Anierobi also sat on school council and she helped organize activities and events that showcased black culture and talent as a member of the Black Student’s Association.

Like Cooke, Anierobi will be going to Queen’s University in the fall, where she has enrolled in the Life Science program with the goal of one day becoming a doctor.