Estevan Comprehensive School (ECS) students will move into the next chapter of their lives during the school’s Grade 12 graduation ceremony on June 15 at Affinity Place.
A total of 157 students will graduate this year. The number is down from previous years, although Pat Fergusson, who is a co-chair of the grad committee, noted the enrolment numbers at ECS have been down in recent years.
“We knew we had some smaller classes moving through the system,” said Fergusson. “And then maybe it’s a bit of a sign of the economic times as well. Here on in, the numbers should start to increase.”
The grads will meet at the Estevan Courthouse at 4 p.m. for their annual grad picture and other photos. The graduation ceremony will start at 6:30 p.m. at Affinity Place.
Principal Pat Jeannot will deliver a speech to open the ceremony. Class representatives Samantha Wade and Carter Davenport will give a tribute to the parents. Student representative council co-presidents Eric Swirski and Mackenzie Holman will give the tribute to the teachers.
Holman is also this year’s valedictorian. She finished with an average grade percentage of 97.88 per cent.
The students will then be presented with their grad folders and will enter the next phase of their lives.
Also part of the evening will be a grad choir, who will sing True Colours.
The ceremony is slated to be wrapped up at 8 p.m. An hour later, the grand march will begin.
Then at 11 p.m., the students will head to the school for the chem-free after grad. They will play games of chance in an effort to win prizes that have been donated by the community.
This year’s theme is And so the Adventure Begins.
“That’s a pretty fun theme, because adventure can mean so many different things to different people,” said Fergusson. “So I really like how it has that wide-open appeal for students.”
The colours selected by the students are black, white and silver, and Fergusson said that should give grad an elegant look.
“I know the decorating committee has been working hard to incorporate that, and still have some fun elements for our students too.”
Plans for the ceremony started in October, she said.
“We’re well underway, and we’re just now down to the final week. It’s all the finishing touches at this point. We’re looking forward to it.”
Fergusson noted that this will be her final graduation ceremony, as she is retiring at the end of the school year. But she is still excited for the kids, and she believes the theme fits her life as well this year.
