They might only be 13 years old, but students at J.D. Hodgson Elementary School have some big dreams.

As they crossed the auditorium floor June 26 to receive their diplomas, the Grade 8 students’ favourite memories and aspirations were read aloud by teacher Carolyn Lewis.

One girl wanted to get her PhD and build hospitals in developing countries.

Another wanted to fly an airplane.

Two students aspired to play women’s hockey in the Olympics, while two dreamed of dirt bike racing.

Parents, siblings, grandparents and friends craned their necks and shoved digital cameras into the air hoping for a photo to capture a milestone in their children’s lives as they move on to high school.

School board trustee Gary Brohman offered unique perspective on that journey as the former principal of Haliburton Highlands Secondary School.

“There’s nothing to be afraid of,” he said, encouraging everyone to get involved whether it be in athletics, arts or academic endeavours.

Valedictorian Brynn Meyers told the audience that the students are indeed nervous about the next big step, but she offered some perspective.

In fact, J.D. Hodgson Elementary School was confusing when they first arrived, she said, but they ended up having good times there.

The grads are excited about moving on to a bigger place with more freedom and opportunity, Brynn said, including meeting new people and eating in the cafeteria instead of at their desks in the classroom.

Principal Elaine Fournier rounded off the evening by telling parents she shared their “deep pride and joy” in the students’ success.

While the students were graduating from JDHES, she said, it is also a new, exciting, beginning.

Award winners

Academic Excellence: Paiten Smolen, Julia McEathron, Cody Williams

Outstanding Distinction: Tori Hawley, Cassandra Johannessen

Citizenship: Ainsley Little, Taylor Morrison, Eliza Christie

Principal’s Leadership Award: Tori Hawley

Environmental Leadership Award: Jordan Miscio

Leadership: Kristen Adams, Taylor Morrison

Athlete of the Year: Brynn Meyers, Ryan Hill

Visual Arts: Natalie Griffin, Willow Hutchings, Eliza Christie

Drama: Brenna Hie, Eliza Christie, Sydney Cameron

English: Mika Titze, Julia McEathron, Tori Hawley

French: Terri Dobbins, Tori Hawley, Taylor Morrison

Geography: Cody Williams, Mika Titze, Julia McEathron

History: Ryan Hill, Kelsey Maracle, Tori Hawley

Math: Cassandra Johannessen, Cody Williams, McKay Coneybeare

Music: Taylor Morrison, Cassandra Varty, Ainsley Little

Physical Education: Ryan Hill, Sydney Cameron, Kelsey Maracle

Science: Paiten Smolen, Terri Dobbins, Julia McEathron

Dance: Kristen Adams, Brynn Meyers, Christine Bishop

Grade 8 Grads

Devon Bangay, Adam Bird, Jalen Campbell, Charles Cary, Regan Casey, Joseph Davis, Sydney Feir, Tara Graham, Jayden Gwyn, Morgan Hamilton, Tori Hawley, Brandon Higgins, Trevor Hobden, Willow Hutchings, Riley Lambshead, Taylor Lewis, Julia McEathron, Austin McKay, Brenden McKee, Sam McKnight, Christopher Miscio, Kelly Routcliffe, Caleb Schmidt, Colt Taylor, Cassie Varty, Cody Williams, Jaden Wilson, Heather Zahn, Tyler Baux, Loren Bridgman, Mckinnon Casey, Eliza Christie, Corey Gonyea, Brenna Hie, Christopher McKee, Reid Medley, Carter Mintz, Jordan Miscio, Taylor Morrison, Robert Nicholls, Lee Robertson, Damara Scott, Makenna Smith, Kimberly Warnica, Kristen Adams, Christine Bishop, Amy Black, Sydney Cameron, Mckay Coneybeare, Terri Dobbins, Ryan Edwards, Ryan Hill, Natalie Griffin, Cassandra Johannessen, Kyle Lavergne, Ainsley Little, Kelsey Maracle, Emilie McGill Rouleau, Brynn Meyers, Joseph Patrick, Paiten-Abbey Smolen, Christina Stephen, Brooke Stevenson, Cassandra Stoughton, Mika Titze, Drew Vanlieshout, Douglas Wood