Celebrating Our 2026 Grade 8 Graduates

For the 101 young men crossing the stage on June 18, 2026, the Grade 8 Graduation ceremony was less about saying goodbye and more about turning the page to a new chapter.

Celebrating with a Mass and diploma presentation, the SMCS community honoured the Grade 8 class for their dedication to goodness, discipline, and knowledge. Amidst the ceremony, St. Michael’s Medals, subject awards, and academic achievement awards recognizing overall excellence were presented to students.

Academic Achievement Award

Christian O’Connor – $5,000
Luca Bellissimo – $3,000
Harrison Zaboroski – $2,000
Benjamin Bolourian – $1,000
Kieren Matheson – $1,000

The St. Michael’s Medal

Religious Education – Luca Bellissimo
Art – Ryan Petrungaro
English – Reid Campbell
French – Jayden-Elson Ngabirano
Geography – Christian O’Connor
History – Benjamin Bolourian
Mathematics – Kieren Matheson
Physical & Health Education – Harrison Zaboroski
Music – Lukas Kissoon
Science – Andrew Saverino

“It has been a time of learning, achieving, and a gathering of knowledge for our students—especially the Grade 8 students, most of whom have been here for two years, though some only one,” says Fr. Andrew Leung, CSB, president. “Throughout the one or two years, Grade 8s, you have strived to be students of St. Michael’s and followed in the footsteps of many other students to experience, relate, and understand the school’s motto better: Teach me goodness, discipline, and knowledge. Some days there were great successes, while others it has been a challenge. Yet all of you who are here have worn the motto of the crest with great pride.”

Maksym Hetmanczuk, who received the SMCS Parents’ Association Fellowship Award for best embodying the school motto, delivered a heartfelt valedictorian address to his classmates and guests.

“Two years ago, most of us walked into these yellow brick halls for the very first time. We came from different schools and different neighbourhoods,” says Hetmanczuk. “Some of us were nervous; some of us pretended we weren’t. We didn’t start our elementary academic journeys together, but we’re finishing this part of it together. And somewhere in the last two years, we stopped being a bunch of kids in the same building. We became brothers there for one another, and that will never change.”

Congratulations to the graduating Grade 8 Class and best wishes on the next stage of your SMCS journey.

Check out our photo gallery of the event: