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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 Interim President and CEO, 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 below.
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.
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Media Contact
Ryan Crocker
Manager of Communications
P: (709) 699-8981
E: ryan.crocker@cna.nl.ca
BACKGROUNDER
For Juanita Tobin, a graduate of the Mental Health and Addictions program at CNA’s Carbonear cCampus, returning to school later in life was an opportunity to build on personal experience and develop a deeper understanding of mental health and addiction. Her studies led to several scholarships and awards, including support from the Fry Family Foundation. After completing her final placement at Vida Nova Recovery, Tobin joined the organization as a peer support worker, turning her education into an opportunity to help others on their own journeys. Her experience is a reminder that education can open new doors at any stage of life.
Periza Ahiabu graduated from the Mental Health and Addictions program at CNA’s Happy Valley-Goose Bay campus in June 2026. A dedicated student leader, she helped organize activities through Student Council, advocated for students and contributed to an inclusive campus community. She received the President’s Medal of Excellence and the 2026 Award of Academic Excellence from the Newfoundland and Labrador College of Nurses, and was valedictorian of her graduating class. She is now a Social Work Assistant with the Department of Social Supports and Wellbeing’s Child and Youth Services Division in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
Amy Farrell, who graduated from the same program at the Grand Falls-Windsor campus, also received the President’s Medal of Excellence and the 2026 Award of Academic Excellence from the Newfoundland and Labrador College of Nurses. Her academic achievement was matched by a commitment to developing the knowledge and skills needed to support people affected by mental health and addiction challenges.
In St. Anthony, Mackenzie Taylor has begun putting that commitment to work in health care. After graduating from CNA’s Licensed Practical Nursing program in May 2026, Taylor received the President’s Medal of Excellence from the Newfoundland and Labrador College of Nurses and was named valedictorian at the 2026 graduation ceremony. Taylor is now a licensed practical nurse at the John M. Gray Centre.
For Christine So, graduation from the Medical Office Management program at CNA’s Clarenville campus marked the beginning of a career with NL Health Services in Clarenville. In addition to the Governor General’s Academic Medal, So received the President’s Medal of Excellence and the TD Insurance Meloche Monnex Alumni Scholarship.
Beth-Ann Fanella’s achievement reflects a longstanding commitment to aviation. Born in Carbonear and raised in Gander, Fanella first graduated from CNA’s Aircraft Structural Repair Technician program in 2016. She returned to complete the Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Technician program at Gander campus in June 2026, earning Honours in both programs. She also received the President’s Award of Academic Excellence and the Bill Bennett Aviation Career Distinction Award in both 2025 and 2026. Fanella is now an apprentice aircraft maintenance engineer with PAL Aerospace in St. John’s, working toward her licence.
Andrew Boone graduated with Honours from CNA’s Geomatics/Surveying Engineering Technology (Co-op) program at Ridge Road campus in August 2026 and received the President’s Medal of Excellence for his program. He is now a surveyor with Inline Group Inc. in Edmonton, Alberta, where he is applying the technical knowledge and skills developed during his studies.
Kayla Stacey, a graduate of the Heating Systems Technician program at the Seal Cove campus, earned a place on the Dean’s List and became known for helping classmates succeed. Alongside the Governor General’s Academic Medal, Stacey’s accomplishments include the President’s Medal of Excellence, the Canadian Knowledge Scholarship and the CNA Faculty and Staff Achievement Award. Stacey also completed the Level One Oil Burner Exam and earned certification from the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada.
Julia Forward graduated from CNA’s Bachelor of Applied Information Technology: AI and Machine Learning program at Prince Philip Drive campus in July 2026. During her studies, Forward helped organize the CNA Software Development community server, giving students across all years of the program more opportunities to connect and support one another. Forward received the Canadian Federation of University Women’s Scholarship and the CNA Common Achievement Award and was a member of the Dean’s Honour Roll.
Nakita Morris also combined academic achievement with a commitment to supporting others. A graduate of the Graphic Communications program at Prince Philip Drive campus, Morris completed two diplomas and served as a teaching assistant while pursuing a second credential. Morris competed in Graphic Design at Skills Canada, winning provincial gold in 2024 and bronze in 2026, and received two Pinnacle Awards of Excellence in graphic design. Morris is now a production assistant and designer with QuikPrint Services Ltd. in St. John’s.
Bailey Goodey-Harkins brought that same spirit of community to the Community Leadership Development program at Bay St. George campus. Along with supporting classmates with their coursework, Goodey-Harkins volunteered with the People of the Dawn Indigenous Friendship Centre. The graduate received the President’s Medal of Excellence and the 2026 Award of Academic Excellence from the Newfoundland and Labrador College of Nurses.