Hogarth Grade 8s off to high school

J.D. Hogarth principal Katrina Plazek still has the dress she wore at her Grade 8 graduation - that's how special the event was.
At this year's ceremony, she said she hoped students put away something special to remember their time at the school and the graduation night, which marks the close of their elementary schooling.
She thanked parents "who've raised such awesome children," and teachers and staff for helping prepare students for the challenges of high school and life in the years ahead.
"Our hope for all our students ... is that you make your dreams come true," she said - and she hopes they'll work to make the world a better place for their children and grand-children.

Next stage in the journey for Elora elementary grads

"This journey is yet to be finished - the most exciting part is yet to come," Elora Public School valedictorian Jaime Messecar told the school's Grade 8 graduating class.
The Elora school's annual Grade 8 graduation was held June 28, the evening before the last day of school this year, and featured the last Elora French Immersion class - the program is being moved to other schools next year.
The graduation ceremony is the end of one phase of education - next fall, students "enter a brand new set of doors again" in high school, Messecar said.
She reminisced about school events - learning exponents, taking part in Grease, character days, the Winter Olympics, and for some, "spending time in the office."

Dozens of artists to fill arts centre yard this weekend

Live music, local food, and all kinds of art are part of the experience at the annual Art in the Yard, running this weekend at the Elora Centre for the Arts.
More than 40 artist booths will fill the yard at the arts centre - the former schoolyard when the arts centre was a working public elementary school in the 1990s.
Arts centre general manager Arlene Saunders says the work of more than 50 artists will be on display during the July 10-11 event - including an extensive arts centre booth featuring work by past and current students.
This year, too, the arts centre building itself will be more involved in Art in the Yard. The 30 artists who make up the Harris Collective are being encouraged to change work on display in the Harris Room before the weekend show. The Harris Collective show, plus the current Minarovich Gallery exhibit by Gillian Iles, will both be open throughout the weekend.

Summer camps offer wide range of activities

Once again this summer, several camps are open for children in the Fergus-Elora area. This summer many camps are once again offering their services to children around the Fergus Elora area for fun and entertainment.
One of the options kids can choose from is the Summer Camp offered at the Centre Wellington Sportsplex, which runs for seven weeks through the summer. There is an option of a five- or four-day camp from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
It's a series of one week camps that are designed around weekly themes tailored for children five to 10 years old, including World Cup, Circus, Travel To Egypt and Discover, Explore, Create.
Activities include plenty of outdoor fun and games, arts and crafts, swimming and the newly added tennis component of  the camp, where the kids will be offered tennis instruction by a professional.

For more on these, and other stories, pick up your copy of the July 7 Fergus-Elora News Express today!