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A new adventure for ECS Class of 2018

Years of hard work for Grade 12 students at the Estevan Comprehensive School (ECS) have paid off. The school held its graduation ceremony on Friday, with more than 150 students part of this year’s graduating class.
Grad
The Class of 2018 gathers for a group photo in front of the Estevan Courthouse prior to the start of grad. Photo by David Willberg

Years of hard work for Grade 12 students at the Estevan Comprehensive School (ECS) have paid off.

The school held its graduation ceremony on Friday, with more than 150 students part of this year’s graduating class. The theme was And so the Adventure Begins, which was fitting, as the grads are now moving into the next part of their lives.

The celebrations began at the Estevan Courthouse, where the students gathered in their finest clothes for the Class of 2018 photo, and pictures with family and friends.

Then they headed to Affinity Place, where they donned their caps and gowns for the ceremonies.

After music from the grad band and the grad choir, class representatives Carter Davenport and Samantha Wade gave the tribute to the parents.

Davenport told the audience that grad is about those who support the students, including their parents. But the support can also come from an aunt who was there when times were tough, or a coach who was a mentor in sport and in life.

“Here’s the thing about support: it can come from anyone or anywhere, and we’re here to thank those supporting people who helped us get where we are today,” said Davenport.

“You have been our greatest friends, our most cherished loves and our most trusted allies,” added Wade. “The foundation you have given us has encouraged us to achieve more than we thought could be possible.”

It’s the parents who deserve the diplomas the students will receive, she said, because there’s no way they would be graduating without all the help amid tears, frustrations and difficult situations.

Student representative council co-presidents Eric Swirski and Mackenzie Holman supplied the tribute to the teachers. They shared memories created by teachers in each department.

“Some of the biggest influences in every student’s lives are their teachers,” said Swirski. “At ECS, our teachers have taught things that are not only useful … in school, but in the real world as well.”

With all the work teachers and support staff put into their education, Holman said students feel prepared for the next step of their lives.

Swirski and Holman then presented a gift to ECS support staff member and grad co-ordinator Pat Fergusson, who is retiring at the end of the school year.

Drawing on this year’s theme, principal Pat Jeannot asked the students where their adventure would take them and which stories they would tell.

“You most likely have set goals, dreamed of who you would become, the places you will see, the people you will meet and so on,” said Jeannot. “History teaches us many lessons that we may use to forge new pathways. What is in your history that will benefit you?”

Jeannot encouraged students to reflect on lessons provided by parents and family.

“Your success is very important to them. That is why it is necessary to reflect upon the moments when those lessons were taught.”

He also urged the grads not to forget about the experiences shared with friends, and to remember what they learned from teachers.

When they make mistakes, they should reflect upon them, and use them as an opportunity to become a better person.

Holman returned to the stage, as she was also this year’s valedictorian, thanks to her 97.88 per cent average this year. She offered some advice to her peers.

“Each of us is in the same boat,” said Holman. “We started here as scared little Grade 9s who didn’t know which side of the hallway to walk on. Now we are excited to graduate and move on to the next step in our lives, but nervous to leave the comfort of the people we have come to know.”

Holman told the graduates they don’t need to have everything figured out, since they have their lives to establish who they are and what they want to do. They shouldn’t worry about things they can’t control, but they should set high expectations.

She also encouraged the grads to learn from their mistakes, and to live outside their comfort zone.

“I want to challenge each of you to take more risks and to say ‘yes’ when you’re given opportunities,” said Holman. “The best and most memorable experiences in your life will happen when you leave your comfort zone.”

The school then presented diplomas to the students.

Food was served after the diplomas were handed out. Then the students participated in the grand march, in which they paraded before the crowd, were presented with a rose and participated in a dance.

At 11 p.m., they travelled to ECS for the chem-free after grad celebrations, in which they played games in a mock casino setting for play money that could be used for prizes at the end of the night.