The new man on campus

Kevin Mills, principal
South Huron District High School

Experience: 21st year in education; Mitchell (teacher), St. Mary’s (teacher) Seaforth (vice principal), St. Mary’s (principal for last seven years)
Home: St. Mary’s
Family: Three daughters

Personal tidbits:
“When I was transferred to South Huron, my oldest girl was ecstatic because she was heading into high school and I would no longer be working at the school she would be attending.
“I like playing baseball and hockey. As a family, we camp, we bike and hike.”

Looking forward to:
“Learning more about the community and seeing what makes Exeter tick. Helping students achieve success.”

Trends:
“Students have more opportunities in curricular and extra-curricular activities. Students have to be in school until they’re 18, and that’s helpful because many of them don’t mature until they’re 16 or 17 and realize the benefit of being in school. And the third thrust is participation in a high-skills major; South Huron will now offer high-skills majors in transportation and arts and culture. Students have to get required credits and co-op credits, as well as English and some certifications, such as WHMIS and first aid.”

New this year:
Activity period at the end of the day. “It will allow students to get involved in clubs and athletics, which helps improve marks, and for those kids who are struggling, there is an extra half hour for them to get extra help from a teacher. School ends at 2:50, so some kids working in town will change their work hours to start at 3:00 instead.”

To students:
“I always tell the kids my philosophy is three-fold: To take pride in what they’re doing, to promote excellence, and to create positive memories of school. If we can do all three, we’ve been successful.”

To parents:
“I’m an open person, so if they have concerns I’m willing to listen to them.”

It’s the most wonderful time of the year

New school year ushers in big changes, including one for this principal

Principal’s Page
By Jeff Reaburn

Once again the summer has flown by and it is time to get ready to return to school. The custodial staff at South Huron has been working diligently throughout the summer and the school is shiny and clean, in great shape for the arrival of the students on September 2. The only major change to the building has been an upgrade of the boiler system, which is ongoing, but should be completed well before the arrival of cold weather.
The first day of school will begin with an assembly in the large gym, after which students will report to their first period classes. Class lists for first period classes will be posted in various locations on the main floor, and students are asked to check these lists prior to the assembly so that they know where to go when they are dismissed from the assembly. Grade Nine students will be held back at the end of the assembly and escorted to their first period classes by their teachers.
In first period students will receive several items: a planner, a student information sheet, a copy of their timetable, and an insurance form. They are asked to take the information sheet home to be verified and signed by a parent, and they are asked to take the insurance form home as well. They will also be given their locker assignments in first period, and Grade Nine students will be able to purchase a lock from their first period teachers for $6.00. Students in Grades 10 - 12 who need a new lock may purchase one in the main office. The locks we sell cost a little more than those available in stores but we guarantee them and will replace them at no charge if they are defective. In addition, our locks have serial numbers that allow us to determine the combination if a student should happen to forget it, avoiding the necessity of having to cut the lock off.
First period teachers will also be collecting Student Council fees and yearbook money. The student fee will remain at $25 this year, but we have had to raise the price for a yearbook to $30 due to increased production costs. Students who wish to buy a yearbook are asked to order one as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
New staff members will be introduced at the opening day assembly, but there is one staff change that I would like to mention now. This will be my last column as principal of South Huron as I will be moving into the position of System Principal of Information Services for the Board, effective September 1. Kevin Mills, who has been principal of St. Marys DCVI for the last seven years, will take over as principal at SHDHS. Kevin and I have been colleagues and good friends for the last eight years, and I know that he will do a great job.
I have greatly enjoyed the last seven years and would like to thank the students, staff, and community for the wonderful support they have shown me. The decision to leave South Huron was a very difficult one for me, and I will miss the school tremendously. I have told Mr. Mills that he is moving into a great school, and I am sure that he will enjoy the same level of support that I have received for the last seven years. Though I will no longer be at the school, the Panther spirit will remain with me.

All good things come to an end

The inevitable day has arrived.
I had hoped I would be able to continue to provide the Grand Bend Strip newspaper for free indefinitely, but after thinking long and hard this spring, I realize that the only way for the paper to publish this winter is to ask for your support.
Like you, I value the ability to learn more about the people who live and work in this community. I love meeting you and capturing your memories for the paper. This is what I feel I can bring to this community, and I want to stay here.
I also feel it’s important to bring to light some of the problems that exist here, and the challenges we face in this community. I’m willing to put the work into creating quality journalism here, but I can’t do it alone.
The Strip will continue to be free until the end of the summer, which on most people’s calendar is the Thanksgiving weekend. After that, it will be available only to Strip Club VIP members. Even the website will be restricted to VIPs. I have yet to decide whether the exclusivity will continue next summer.
I promise to make membership worthwhile, and hope you will contribute to surveys to improve the paper, and take advantage of special offers from our advertising clients.
For more information about club membership, please see our subscription page.

The 80s are back at SHDHS

All 1980s grads invited to August 2 reunion

If you attended South Huron District High School during the 1980s, you’re invited to attend a reunion August 2 at the South Huron Recreation Centre.
Tickets are $25, and are on sale at Movie Gallery in Exeter, or by contacting Tim Rowcliffe (timaro -at - yahoo.com). Luncheon will be provided and entertainment is courtesy of Jane’s Rehab. Proceeds from the event are going to Scott and Denise Halpenny to assist in her treatment for MS.
If you attended South Huron and graduated from 1981-1992, we’d love to see you!

And the winners are - 2008 SHDHS students of the year

Lauren Haberer of Zurich and Marcus Haccius of Shipka were named South Huron District High School’s 2008 Students of the Year at the June 6 prom, held at the school’s small gym. For more about the winners and nominees, see:

Katie Anderson
Lauren Haberer
Janita Pfaff
Carly Schroeder

Dimitris Fragiskatos
Marcus Haccius
Bryce Halpenny
Kurt Van Osch

2008 SHDHS Student of the Year nominee Kurt Van Osch

Kurt Van Osch
Parents: Gerald and Lori Van Osch, outside of Mt. Carmel
Nickname: Van O
Known for: Sports. That’s about all I’m known for.
Fall 2008: Guelph for Business Agriculture
Most Memorable Moment: OFSAA hockey championships in Ottawa this year. Just being in the hotel with my friends and playing my favourite sport.
Most Embarrassing Moment: Grade 9. I was walking with all the Grade 12s and I dropped my book and all my papers fell out. Having the Grade 12s look down on you is pretty embarrassing.
Regret: Not focusing on school enough, but I still got into the program I wanted.
Thank you: to my parents for sure, all my friends and all my teachers. I’ve had good teachers for every class.
Sorry to: my English teachers; I feel sorry for them having to mark my papers all the time.

2008 SHDHS Student of the Year nominee Bryce Halpenny

Bryce Halpenny
Parents: Scott and Denise Halpenny of Exeter
Nickname: B-Rice, Brizzo, Bryzness
Known for: Volleyball. It’s my passion.
Fall 2008: UWO for Engineering
Most Memorable Moment: The last game of WOSSAA volleyball. It was a bad day, we got last, but it was also one of our best days because it was one of the best games we played.
Most Embarrassing Moment: Too many things to list. I do a lot of things people find embarrassing, but I’m used to it.
Regret: I wish I had done more than sports.
Thank you: to my best friend Marcus, who made my year a lot better. I’d also like to thank Miss Bowers, Miss Migchels and Miss Hawley. Those three teachers were my favourite this year. And my family. My mom has helped me through a lot.
Sorry to: my dad. He doesn’t want me to leave.

2008 SHDHS Student of the Year nominee Marcus Haccius

Marcus Haccius
Parents: Hubertus and Linda Haccius of Shipka
Nickname: Man, Chocolate, Coconut, Tiny
Known for: Announcement guy, and drama
Fall 2008: Beal for Musical Theatre
Most Memorable Moment: In Grade 10 I belly danced in front of the whole school.
Most Embarrassing Moment: Belly dancing in Grade 10. Comedy night in Grade 11, but also one of the most memorable. I just did the roles no one else wanted to do. Screwing up lines in Our Town and trying to make it sound like they actually said those things in 1901.
Thank you: to my parents and family and friends. All my classmates and the community for supporting our events.
Sorry to: all those people for being myself.

2008 SHDHS Student of the Year nominee Dimitris Fragiskatos

Dimitris Fragiskatos
Parents: Nick and Jane Fragiskatos of Hensall
Nickname: Frag
Known for: Being loud, throwing high fives, sports
Fall 2008: Fanshawe for Construction Engineering
Most Memorable Moment: WOSSAA soccer, or the windshield incident with Kevin Ha. I can’t tell you about that.
Most Embarrassing Moment: Getting ketchup and mustard on my tie at formal, just now.
Regrets?: No. I was happy with everything.
Thanks to: everyone for being there with me to have a good time. I really had a good time at high school.

2008 SHDHS Student of the Year nominee Carly Schroeder

Carly Schroeder
Parents: Steve and Brenda Schroeder of Dashwood
Nickname: Schroeds. Some people call me Car because they’re too lazy to say my whole name. It’s only two syllables!
Known for: Music
Fall 2008: UWO for Music
Most Memorable Moment: Grade 10 music trip, and this year, being part of the National Concert Band.
Most Embarrassing Moment: We were playing field hockey and my stick got caught, and my skirt ripped off, but they were in our end, so I still had to be defense and hold my skirt up. It was difficult.
Regret: Not taking tech in Grade 9. It looked like fun and everyone got to make things.
Thank you: to everyone. Family, coaches, especially Jim Workman, and my music teachers.
Sorry to: Mr. Moore. And my family. I’ve been a pain over the years.

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