CARROT RIVER — Carrot River High’s 18 graduates are born to make history.
Carmen Engele, the valedictorian for the class of 2018, said her class, born in 2000, was the first one born in the new millennium. She compared the class to a big dysfunctional family.
“We argue and bicker with one another but we always support each other and we’re each other’s biggest fans in the end,” she said.
Engele said there’s a variety of interests within the class: there’s the athletes, artists, scholars and everything in between, active in groups otuside of school like minor hockey, minor ball, 4-H, figure skating, dance and art lessons.
The valedictorian said she will be forever thankful for the support of her teachers at the school.
“You are our biggest supporters, role models, friends and most importantly mentors,” she said in her speech. “You’ve shown us that school is more than math equations, writing paragraphs and memorizing. It’s about learning how to talk to people, being on time, having fun and knowing that the ups and downs make the rollercoaster of life much more fun.”
She also thanked the parents for being their best friends, role models and inspiration.
“You listen to us vent, make us laugh, comfort us when we cry but overall make us happy and show us that we can do anything we want.”
Engele said graduating after 13 years of school is an accomplishment.
“From coming here and learning basic math in Grade 5 to going on to calculus and finally just finishing, it feels really good.”
She said she’ll have lot of memories to remember the school by.
“Just recently we got pied in the face by the Grade 5 class and I think even though everyone was hesitant about it, we all enjoyed it in the end. It was really fun.”
Engele plans to go to the University of Saskatchewan, where she’ll take two years of art and science before applying for pharmacy.
Valediction by Carmen Engele
Good afternoon everyone and welcome to this year’s graduation ceremony.
When I started writing this speech, I thought it would be a piece of cake. Boy, was I wrong. There are so many things I wanted to say but I tried to keep it short and sweet.
To kick my speech off I am going to ask you a question. When you look up onto the stage, who do you see? Your child’s best friend? Someone who has packed your groceries or pumped your gas? Or are you from out of town and you have no idea who some these people are? If so, I’ll give you the answer. You are looking at the children of the new millennia. The babies of 2000. And as our mantra says, we were born to make history. To be honest I don’t think our mantra could have reflected us any better. We have already made history, whether that is within the school, our community, our homes or in our classmates’ lives, thanks to our parents, teachers and community members.
Growing up in a small town definitely has its perks. Every day we get to see familiar faces. From old babysitters to people who have known us as since we were babies. Everyone makes living in a small town enjoyable. Thank you to those who have come and supported us in school sports and activities. There’s nothing better than the stands full of people cheering us on as we play our favorite sport or dance to Jingle Bell Rock. Outside of school we have also been given a number of opportunities for us to develop our interest and talents. This includes: minor hockey, minor ball, 4-H, figure skating, dance, art lessons and so many other clubs and organization. We would like to thank everyone who has organized, been a part of, or supported these organizations. Without you we wouldn’t have become the successful athletes, artists and students we are today.
Next I would like to thank all the parents here today, who have been with us every step of the way. From our first steps to driving a car, from the long sleepless nights to waking us up after snoozing through six alarms, from Velcro to laces, from our very first day of school to our very last, you have always supported us. You taught us how to throw a ball and signed us up for sports. You were the best storytellers and even better listeners. You listen to us vent, make us laugh, comfort us when we cry but overall make us happy and show us that we can do anything we want. You are our best friends, role models and inspiration. We might argue from time to time about the most pointless things but you teach us how to forgive and forget. Your words of wisdom will stick with us as we move out of the house and start our own lives. Thank you for everything you have done to help us grow and for never giving up on us. Without you many of us wouldn’t be up here, happy and successful, ready for our future.
We were never the quietest or most focused class, but we managed to learn despite that. Mrs. Carson started it off by using the Jellybean song to help us learn colors in French. This progressed to Mr. Frecon letting us watch Shrek with French subtitles. Mr. Schmaltz spoiled us, by letting us play Everybody Runs at least twice a week. Ms. Carter showed us why knowing about the past, guides us through the future and proved that people can show up to class on time under certain conditions. Mrs. Shemrock taught us that there’s such thing as glow in the dark cats and that curiosity never killed them. Mr. Weir taught us to be original by flaunting his neon pants and funky socks because original people will be remembered more than copies. We are forever grateful for all of the early mornings and late afternoons you teachers have put in to help us succeed. You are our biggest supporters, role models, friends and most importantly mentors. You’ve shown us that school is more than math equations, writing paragraphs and memorizing. It’s about learning how to talk to people, being on time, having fun and knowing that the ups and downs make the rollercoaster of life much more fun.
This year’s graduating class is one for the books. I can guarantee that none of our teachers will be able to forget us. Whether that’s through our athletic excellence, personalities, academic achievement or poor attendance, we will make every teacher’s book. Especially because of our attendance. Teachers knew why we didn’t come to school. It’s not because there was four feet of fresh snow on the ground or that everyone was at home sick. Nope, it was because an assignment was due or we had a test that day. Despite that we have grown from wild children who argued over who got to sit by who in class, to young men and women who knew who they didn’t want to sit by. We were each other’s first crushes, best friends, gym partners and biggest fans.
As a class we have experienced some of the best times in our life. This includes making and winning provincials, surviving the famous canoe trip, travelling to Europe, dancing and singing to Single Ladies and graduating.
We have also experienced our worst nightmare, losing a classmate. We will always remember Justin for his charm, sense of humor and the positive energy he used in everyday tasks. He was a role model, athlete and best friend who taught us to enjoy life, because it’s too precious to waste. He will forever be a part of our class and a Wildcat. We will carry him in our hearts as we move on to the next chapter of our lives.
From the beginning, 13 years ago when we wore Velcro shoes, to today when we are wearing our grad dresses and suits, we have been one big dysfunctional family. Throughout the years the class of 2018 has become ready to embark on their future. I wish you all the best of luck and I know I will be hearing amazing things about every one of you in the future because after all, we were born to make history.
