FEIA Graduation Was a Celebration of Academics and Good People

Graduation ceremonies for FEIA’s Class of 2026 on June 12 were a testament to academic excellence, athletic performance and good people.For Valedictorian Danyelle London, who won an academic dedication award with her 95 per cent grades, the memories of her three years at FEIA will be about people.“I don’t remember the classes and the test scores so much as the relationships and the staff, and friendships from countries all over the world,” she said. “It’s been so much more than basketball. We have so many memories to hold on to.”Danyelle, of Markham, Ont., was the Lady Falcons star point guard, who won a scholarship for basketball and will study criminology at the University of Illinois Chicago.

Many others are going on to scholarships at colleges and universities across the world.The other valedictorian, Uwaoma Agbamuche, came to FEIA in 2025 from Nigeria and quickly learned so much moving to a new country and a school – “resilience, patience and confidence. The challenges you face shape you into something stronger. We’ll keep moving forward.” He had a 92 per cent average and has been accepted at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo to study business administration and financial mathematics and perhaps play basketball. “I thought happiness comes from achievement,” said Paula Diaz of Spain, who was given the Physical and Health Education Award. “But Fort Erie and FEIA are unforgettable experiences. A year ago, I had a different life. Canada gave me a sense of community. I felt like I belonged.

”After being presented an award for volunteering 200 hours in the community, Kingston Clarke asked his parents to stand and then thanked them in front of the packed gymnasium: “You are truly an inspiration to me and I love you guys.

”Principal William Cockburn, who was given his graduation diploma here at the former Fort Erie Secondary School by his then-principal father, Mike, lauded the international students for their courage in leaving their home countries to learn about their “new independence, new culture and new languages. Our FEIA brand has become global, and one of Canada’s leading private boarding schools.

”Guest speaker Dr. William Marshall of Brock University challenged the graduates to stay curious throughout their lives and to “remain open to ideas, opportunities and new questions.” He suggested they not think so much of creating a resume, but rather “what kind of life are you building?”

Mayor Wayne Redekop also gave warm wishes to the grads from the Town of Fort Erie.Of the 58 graduates, an incredible 50 were Ontario scholars with an average of at least 80 percent. The athletic award winners were London and Deng Ngor, who on June 7 scored the winning basket as Team Canada upset the U.S. in the Americas’ Under-18 basketball championships in Mexico. Among the other award winners:

Gabriella Therrien for concern for others and willingness to mentor younger students.
Pedro Henrique Corduva Guidi for demonstrating “respect and inclusivity and striving to understand people of different cultures.”

Mathematics wizard Camille Pangonis for exemplifying FEIA’s core values and “doing the right thing when nobody is looking.”

Hockey players Malea Viola, who played 187 games for the Lady Falcons, and Lurii Baunov were honoured for their high academics.

In closing, Danyelle London implored the grads to “trust ourselves, explore the big new chapter of our lives. There’s no such thing as a life that’s better than yours.”It was a memorable morning of colourful balloons and FEIA founder/owner Paul Liu taking a video of all the grads’ mortarboards flying in the air.

Good luck to all the grads!

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