Friday evening’s graduation ceremony, recognizing the exiting Grade 12 class at Estevan Comprehensive School, was complete with nostalgia and longing for the possible futures for each graduating student.
There were 189 gowned grads who entered Affinity Place for the ceremony, while the arena was filled by parents, grandparents and many other family members.
Principal Pat Jeannot led the audience through the evening as master of ceremonies.
Retiring teacher and vice-principal Allison Holzer gave the tribute to the senior ring and pin, which was received by Lakyn Molnar and Mitchel Clark. Those students then announced the gift to the school. This year’s two-part gift included the two projection screens to replace the previous ones, which in the past, needed to be rented by the school for events. Another gift will be a $100 scholarship each year for the next five years, to be awarded to a Grade 9 student during the ECS awards night. Grade 9 students are not usually eligible for scholarships and awards.
Molnar and Clark also gave the tribute to the parents, which was immediately reciprocated with a response from parents Risa Molnar and Lindsay Clark.
Class valedictorians included both Clark and Dana Wilbraham, both of whom achieved a rare feat — the same grade average grade of 95.62 per cent.
Wilbraham recognized the many opportunities available to students at ECS, both academic and extra-curricular, while speaking about the time of transition that each of the grads will be experiencing.
“So now, we’re high school graduates, and soon we will be parting ways and starting our new lives,” she said directly to her fellow grads. “We will no longer be able to rely on the certainty of every day class and familiar faces. As this chapter of our life ends, a new one begins and we take the next step forward.”
Clark continued, “The future is scary, but you can't hide from it. We are all going to grow up, start our own lives, and maybe some of us will never see each other again. With that being said, we are each on our own path to finding ourselves.
“You can't live someone else's life; you have to live your own, do what you love and be who you choose to be. That's the biggest lesson I think I've learned, in this last year especially, you can't please everyone, so keep yourself happy,” he added.
In closing, Wilbraham said, “I ask as you walk across the stage to receive your diploma and move your tassel to the right, will you take a moment to think about all the people who have dedicated their time and support to bring you to this (moment) of your life.”
“The best way to predict the future is to create it,” Clark added, echoing the evening’s theme. “That doesn't mean live so far ahead you miss the moment. Plan for what is coming, be prepared, but sit back and admire all the simple little parts of life and just enjoy it. Always make memories that are worth remembering, make new friends, try new things and just live. If we can create our future, why not create something amazing?”
The tribute to the teachers was given by SRC co-presidents Cassidy DeRosier and Cole Davenport.
Holzer provided the response to the tribute in the form of project tips for each student to complete, though no due date was provided. Holzer canvassed teachers from all disciplines to incorporate their tips into the address.
A sample of tips included the music department’s Kyle Whitehead’s note, “You need to listen to yourself and others around you … It’s also good to know you will always have others in your life who you can go to for advice. Go to those people, and use them for sounding boards.”
From Caitlin Giesbrecht and the social studies departments: “Pay attention to and become a part of the world around you. The choices you make, the things your generation does or doesn’t do will become the history your grandchildren will read about in school.”
French teacher Lori Meyer wrote, “Be respectful of all cultures, languages and people. Respect, explore, appreciate and above all, enjoy.”
Holzer closed by saying to the students, “You have a whole team of people here, who represent some of your greatest supporters and greatest cheerleaders. We are sending you off from high school with every confidence that you will complete this project in your own time, in your own unique way, and very successfully.”
