Saturday, June 12th was a day many will never forget; especially for the thirty-three grade twelve graduates who were able to walk across the stage to be presented with their high school diplomas.
The ceremony began with the graduates entering in their formal dress to the song Good Life by One Republic.
After being seated, O’Canada was played before principal Mr. Mick Parmar greeted the attendees with his principal’s remarks.
Mr. Mick Parmar presented his “masterpiece of all classroom lessons”. Principal Parmar’s thirteen Profound Pandemic Pointers to a Happy and Successful Life. He said, “Things always get better with time. We all struggle from time-to-time. But, always remember to maintain hope. Incorporate healthy habits and commit to positive goals; then; work your butt off to attain them. Before you know it, brighter days will be upon you.”
Ms. Fallon Prince followed with greetings from various government officials before the master of ceremonies, Mr. Sheldon Kaminski, continued moving the flow of the ceremony forward seamlessly.
Mr. Kaminski reminded the graduates that the most important and significant achievement being recognized was the receipt of their graduation diploma. “This is something you’ve worked towards for the past thirteen years and today you’ve earned.”
Alyssa Roultson was chosen by her peers to be the LCS Class of 2021 Valedictorian. Her speech reminded her peers that, “Although our senior year was out of the ordinary, we shouldn’t let it take away from the amazing times we’ve had leading up to this point…I wouldn’t have wanted to take this journey with anyone else.”
The Wilson’s were next on stage as graduate Sarah gave her toast to the parents first. She admitted, “After all the years of schooling, a lot of tears and laughs, not only did we make it, but you as parents made it. We wouldn’t be sitting here today without your love and support.”
Maureen Wilson followed after by saying to the graduates, “Becoming a parent means your heart is no longer your own, because it wanders wherever your children go. Yes, your pain is our pain; likewise, your joy is also our joy.”
She added, “I encourage you to remember that life is made up of many small journeys, and you will want to strive to make them as gratifying, interesting and rewarding as possible.”
Graduate Charlee Mitschke took to the podium to give a toast to the educators that helped make their graduation a possibility. She praised the staff members for the support they showed throughout this adventure, and thanked them for being there during the highs and the lows throughout the years. “We now stand around the corner from finishing a thirteen year expedition in education. This year’s 2021 graduates owe billions of thank yous to our educators. We hope this small gesture to you, on our big day, will continue to inspire you to change other students’ lives like you changed our own.”
LCS teachers Mr. Tim Kempton and Mrs. Nicole Balbar followed Charlee’s toast with some words of their own before Mr. Parmar gave his closing remarks after.
Throughout the speeches, graduates were honoured one-at-a-time as they posed for a photo and then greeted their families waiting nearby at their vehicles in the LCS parking lot. Upon returning to their seat, a quick slideshow was show and a quirky comment was shared as well from historians Melissa Crowdis, Kolby Lauer and Zane Van Eeden.
Once all was said and done, the graduates departed from the stage to the song Don’t You Forget About Me by Simple Minds.
The event required many volunteers, many of whom were thanked in Mr. Parmar’s speech (seen in this edition of the Four-Town Journal). The ceremony was a tremendous example of how a community and school can come together to honour the youth who dedicated thirteen years of service to their education.