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By CHRIS FOX
fox.chris@dailygleaner.com

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Members of Oromocto High School's class of 2009 finally received their diplomas Thursday night, but not before racking up $642,000 in scholarships and awards.

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The Daily Gleaner/James West pho

Oromocto high school graduates Brandon Leet-MacFarlane, left, Robert Laviolette, centre and Matthew Larocque celebrate as they wait in line prior to Thursday nights graduation ceremony held at base gagetown.

The Daily Gleaner/James West pho

Nathan Doucette, left, and Zachary Dwyer, right, warm up before leading the Oromocto High School graduating class of 2009 into Thursdayís graduation ceremony held at base Gagetown.

The Daily Gleaner/James West pho

Moving on from the model-town school: Above, Oromocto High School graduates Jessie Simms, left, and William Woods get their photo taken by friend Devan Frigault before the graduation ceremony Thursday night at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown. Below left, OHS graduates Brandon Leet-MacFarlane, left, Robert Laviolette, centre, and Matthew Larocque celebrate as they wait in line prior to the ceremony. Below right, Nathan Doucette, left, and Zachary Dwyer warm up before leading the OHS class of 2009 into Thursday’s ceremony.

The total was the highest in recent memory, said principal Sharon Crabb, and it well outpaced the $500,000 in scholarships and awards Oromocto High School graduates typically receive each year.

"It's been a very strong year. To have our students collecting $642,000 in scholarships is pretty amazing," said Crabb.

"They just quietly go about their business too. They are very conscientious, they are always engaged and they are just a fabulous graduating class."

A total of 239 students graduated in the ceremony held at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown.

Kyle Rogers, who plans to enrol in the University of New Brunswick to study engineering in the fall, said the ceremony brought a long and trying journey to an end.

"It feels like a big weight has been lifted off my shoulders, and by a big weight, I mean an anvil," he said.

"It has been an awesome experience, but it is going to be good to move on."

Brittany Moore, who delivered the valedictory address, said her time at Oromocto High School won't soon be forgotten.

"I have only been here since Grade 10, and it took a while to get used to the people at first, but I have come to love it, every moment of it. It's been amazing," said Moore, who plans to enrol in St. Thomas University in the fall.

"It's a great group of students and teachers and everybody is so welcoming and friendly here."

Major awards were also presented last night with Matthew Haines receiving the Governor General's Award for the highest academic average of any graduating student over three years.

Brittani Jeans was the other big winner, earning the David J. Coughey Best All Round Student Award at a ceremony earlier in the day.

Crabb said the class of 2009 would be missed.

"There are so many outstanding kids and so many leaders that came out of the group, and I will miss them," she said.

"Every year, you kind of wonder who will take the current class's place and there are always people that will step up, but it's always tough to see them go."