COLLEGE OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC
CNA grads honoured with Governor General's Medals

From supporting classmates to beginning careers in their chosen fields, 11 College of the North Atlantic (CNA) graduates were recognized for the determination, curiosity and commitment that set them apart.

For some, academic success meant finding a way to support others while working toward their own goals. For others, it meant returning to school later in life, mastering complex technical skills or helping fellow students find their place in a new community.

The graduates were celebrated at a special ceremony at Government House in St. John's, where the Honourable Joan Marie Aylward, Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador joined students, families and college representatives to recognize their accomplishments.

The medals are among Canada's most prestigious academic honours, recognizing exceptional scholastic achievement. As CNA's President and CEO (Acting), Fergus O'Brien, told the recipients the qualities that earned them the distinction will matter long after their studies were completed.

"Your medal represents much more than a final grade or a place at the top of your graduating class," O'Brien said. "It reflects the discipline you needed to keep going when things were difficult, the curiosity to keep learning and the determination to hold yourself to a high standard."

Those qualities are evident in the diverse journeys of this year's recipients, whose achievements extend beyond the classroom into workplaces, communities and the lives of the people around them.

CNA recipients of the Governor General Academic Awards include:

Periza Ahiabu
Program: Mental Health and Addictions 
Campus: Happy Valley-Goose Bay

Andrew Boone
Program: Geomatics/Surveying Engineering Technology (Co-op) 
Campus: Ridge Road, St. John's

Beth-Ann Fanella
Program: Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Technology 
Campus: Gander

Amy Farrell
Program: Mental Health and Addictions
Campus: Grand Falls-Windsor

Julia Forward
Program: Bachelor of Applied Information Technology: AI and Machine Learning 
Campus: Prince Philip Drive, St. John's

Anna Gillam
Program: Hydrogen Technician
Campus: Corner Brook

Bailey Goodey-Harkins
Program: Community Leadership Development 
Campus: Bay St. George, Stephenville

Isaac Hodder
Program: Welding Engineering Technician
Campus: Burin

Kelsie Hodder
Program: Early Childhood Education
Campus: Port aux Basques

Nakita Morris
Program: Graphic Communications 
Campus: Prince Philip Drive, St. John's

Christine So
Program: Medical Office Management 
Campus: Clarenville

Kayla Stacey
Program: Heating Systems Technician 
Campus: Seal Cove, Conception Bay South

Mackenzie Taylor
Program: Licensed Practical Nursing 
Campus: St. Anthony

Juanita Tobin
Program: Mental Health and Addictions 
Campus: Carbonear

More information about recipients in attendance for the ceremony included in the backgrounder.

CNA congratulates all recipients on this outstanding achievement and wishes them every success as they take the knowledge, skills and determination they have demonstrated at CNA into the next chapter of their lives.