Strathmore schools present Governor General’s Medal

By Lorenzo Gavilan Vargas Times Reporter

Strathmore High School and Holy Cross Collegiate each awarded one of their students with the Governor General’s Academic Medal.

The historic award was created in 1873 by the Earl of Dufferin, then Governor General of Canada. 

The medal is given to the student who graduates with the highest average.

Strathmore High School (SHS) has awarded a student every year since the 1987-88 school year, and Holy Cross Collegiate (HCC) first handed out the award in 2007. 

The recipient from Strathmore High School, Luke Schramm, was surprised when he heard the news.

“It was pretty unexpected. I didn’t really think that there were any awards that I could be contacted about a year after graduating, but it was cool to get called back about an achievement relating to my efforts in high school,” he said. 

Principal of SHS Kyle Larson had high praise for Schramm.

“He’s been super committed and super dedicated to his academics and to his academic success, but what makes Luke special is that he’s equally dedicated to all of our extracurricular stuff that’s gone on here,” said Larson. “He was so involved with sports and being a part of the culture of our school.”

Schramm is planning on taking a diverse set of classes at McGill University in the fall, as he is unsure as to what subject to major in. 

“I don’t have to decide until after my first year. I’ve got a couple ideas,” he said. “I’m kind of just going to take it as it comes and see what interests me the most as I’m there.”

The recipient of the award from HCC is David Klassen. Principal Lavern Evans described him as a hardworking, determined student. 

“Very polite, respectful (and) he goes about his business. He’s always had great attendances here. He’s always working hard, always asking lots of questions.”