More than 170 Grade 12 students from the Estevan Comprehensive School (ECS) celebrated the completion of their high school education, and the entry to the next chapter of their lives, during the school’s graduation ceremony on Friday night at Affinity Place.
The highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of the diplomas, but there were the other presentations and speeches associated with the event.
Following the processional of the grads, the Grade 12 band students performed O Canada. Carol Graf delivered the invocation, and Mayor Roy Ludwig brought greetings from the City of Estevan.
Principal Pat Jeannot drew on this year’s theme of the Walt Disney quote “Laughter is timeless, imagination has no age and dreams are forever.” He encouraged the graduates to remember the statement, and explore their minds to find new opportunities without fear.
“Laughter heals,” said Jeannot. “Welcome it whenever you have the opportunity to do so. It is like anything else; it is more valuable when it is scarce.”
It’s easy to laugh during the good times, but laughter can often be scarce when times are tough.
“Remember as well that the person who you will become may be determined by your passion to follow your dreams,” said Jeannot.
Jeannot described their lives as one big elective.
“You will now choose your pathway based on your interests, your abilities,” said Jeannot. “You will now choose how you will deal with the world around you. You will now determine the person that you will become.
“If you haven’t noticed, the common theme here has become ‘you.’”
He believes students who believe in this year’s theme will take on the world with an attitude of if they can imagine it, they can do it.
“With this attitude, you feel the warmth of success and the sting of failure,” said Jeannot. “Both are a part of life.”
During the times of failure, Jeannot said reflection is particularly important, because failure represents an opportunity to learn, and to reflect on life lessons experienced from parents, friends and teachers. That reflection time should be used to build the courage to try again.
“Only you truly know what you want out of life,” said Jeannot. “Others will encourage you, but there will be those times when others will tell you that what you are doing is too hard, too far away or too far-fetched for your abilities.”
At that time, they should listen to their inner voice as opposed to the skeptics.
Jeannot also encouraged the students to fondly remember their times at the school, and he thanked them for representing the school in a positive fashion.
Amber Hammermeister was this year’s valedictorian. She told her fellow graduates that life is about to change, regardless of whether they are working, travelling or embarking on post-secondary education. But they should not be afraid of change.
“When we were younger, we were allowed to change what we wanted to be each day, and we still can,” said Hammermeister. “Just as we grow and change, our dreams do too, and that’s OK. You don’t owe it to your family, friends or past selves to stay the same.”
Two years ago, she thought she was going to be a clinical psychologist. But now she is going to school for audio production, and she is excited by the opportunity.
“No matter what happens, you always have the opportunity to change your mind or your goals to find what makes you happiest,” said Hammermeister. “Each of us must learn to embrace change and take the opportunities to change that are given to us.”
Hammermeister also drew on a couple of experiences at ECS. The senior girls basketball team’s Shoot for a Cure basketball tournament has taught the graduates about the value of compassion, while competing in Skills Canada taught her that hard work does pay off.
“What each of us has learned from our own high school experiences has changed us into independent and capable young men and women,” she said.
Change can be overwhelming, she said, but the only way to progress is to change.
The grad ceremony also featured a number of tributes. Senior ring Kaylee Donovan and senior pin Wyatt Haux began their speech by reflecting on their time in the school.
“High school has been quite the experience, and it still doesn’t feel real that it is all coming to an end,” said Donovan.
But they are grateful to their parents, because completing high school wouldn’t have been possible without them, she said.
Haux noted their parents have been there from the start. Parents cheered for the students at recitals, games and competitions.
Vineet Kaushik and Marshall Littlefield were tasked with giving the tribute to the teachers. They said the teachers have used their vast knowledge to help the students reach this point in their lives.
Pat Fergusson, who is the staff chairperson for the ceremony, wished the graduates luck as they move on. She said it is always exciting to see the anticipation of the grads and families as they look to the future.
She also applauded the parents who served on the various committees, and helped make the graduation ceremony possible.
Once the speeches were finished, the students were presented with their diplomas by Jeannot and vice-principals Nathan Johnson and Brian Wright, much to the delight of the large crowd at Affinity Place.
An hour after the diplomas were handed out, the students returned for the grand march, when each grad was presented with a rose. Then they participated in a dance.
The scene later shifted to the school for the annual chem-free after grad celebration, when they enjoyed a variety of casino-style games for play money that could be used for prizes.
