I don’t have kids. I hardly even know anybody in Estevan who is graduating this year. And I don’t have any personal connection to the graduating class. But tears were blurring my vision again and again when I was looking at the Estevan Comprehensive School grads through the camera, while also smiling ear to ear.
Hundreds of people were out on the streets spread along the 2020 graduation cruise route, cheering them, taking pictures, celebrating their achievements, supporting them in their transition and trying to turn the day that the pandemic sucked all colours dry, into a firework.
I went uptown earlier that afternoon and Estevan still looked like the city I’ve known for seven years. Some businesses and homes were decorated, there were balloons on the light posts here and there, and displays. It was hot and quiet. Almost as quiet as it was during the first days of the pandemic. But if you look closer, one would realize that it was a different type of silence. The city wasn’t hiding, it was getting ready. People were adding some decorations to the buildings and vehicles, getting their banners finished, testing their honks, packing lawn chairs, dressing up…
I came back to Fourth Street closer to 7 p.m. to see the results of those preparations. There were just three or four vehicles at the Derrick Motor Inn, but slowly decorated rides started pulling in. In a matter of 30 minutes there was no room left in that big parking lot.
I was watching grads and their families and friends come out of the vehicles. Happy, full of joy, they were a bit anxious, with reflections of nostalgia in their eyes, eager to get together with their friends, but already regretting the soon break up.
I was almost hypnotized by their appearances. Young, beautiful, ambitious, full of energy and potential, bright and shining. The 2020 grads were like a light in a middle of the COVID storm. And that light with its power and everything the graduation symbolizes brought Estevan together and proved how strong the community indeed is when it comes to its residents.
I took pictures at the graduation last year as well, and I participated in several ceremonies throughout my life, but this celebration was nothing close to anything I’ve seen before. I was catching grads’ eyes in my lens and they were purely happy. Yes, the end of the year didn’t turn out as expected, but at that moment, surrounded by their friends with the night that would draw the line on their childhood and open doors into a new life ahead of them, right there and then they looked truly happy.
What was happening in Estevan last Friday wasn’t about formalities and traditions, it was about them, the 2020 graduates, their needs and their feelings. Nothing was obligatory, so the entire graduation day turned out to be student driven. Some chose to thank their first teachers, and others were with mothers and fathers who guided them throughout these years. A third group decided to be with their friends, and others wanted to capture the moment spending it out in the city where they made their first steps. A few students chose to spend the day on their own or with families, but many had their loved ones out joining the city-wide celebration. For the first time there was no one “proper” ceremony, and the night went as real as it could be.
These young adults are already in transition. They are leaving a whole life behind and are opening what will be a new page, a new chapter or even a whole new book. Some will be leaving for college or university soon, and others plan to take on some training here. Some have a job lined up and will immerse themselves into big life right away. Even with some plans, not much is predictable about their future, and the pandemic added uncertainty. But unlike adults, I could see that they still know how to enjoy the moment.
They may have some regret, they may feel anxiety and excitement, but Estevan sure reminded them how proud of themselves and their achievements they should be. And with thousands of eyes on them the 2020 grads rocked it, sharing their pride, energy and joy with the community.
I know youth probably don’t read newspapers and find Facebook a social network for grannies, but I’ll still use this column to thank every one of you for making Estevan shine like I’ve never seen it before. I wish you the best of luck in all your beginnings.
And remember, there is no other place like home.
