It might be one of the Northeast’s larger schools, but Nipawin’s LP Miller Comprehensive’s graduating class of 64 has an emotional bond with each other.
“Most of us have been going to school [together] since we were young. Some of us are newer,” said Mike Deslauriers, the salutatorian, just before the graduation ceremony June 29, “but we all get along. There’s a lot of close bonds.”
Karly Kreutzwieser, the valedictorian, said the class of 2017 was amazing.
“They’re really active. There’s a lot of competition for scholarships and everybody’s out doing sports, everybody’s really active with SRC, FIGHT foundation. They’re all really involved in the community.”
Cory Froehlich, the school’s principal, agreed with the two graduates.
“It’s a fantastic group of individuals who are just well distributed throughout our community – lots of activities, lots of sporting events,” he said. “They’re just a really diverse group. Definitely a fun-loving, friendly, kind, supportive group.”
Deslauriers said it was awesome to graduate after 13 years of school.
“You finally get the feeling you’ve accomplished something. You pass grades, but you just go on to the next grade. Now we’re going out into the big world,” he said. “It just feels good to complete something that took so long to do.”
Kreutzwieser said it felt satisfying.
“It just feels like it’s all worth it now. It’s finally all coming together, with this one final masterpiece.”
Froehlich said he had a special bond with this class.
“This is kind of the class that really started off my career. They grew up with us, with our family, so definitely an emotional connection to this crew of kids and their parents.”
This grad would have also been the one that his son, Clark Froehlich, would have graduated in. Clark passed away four years ago from leukemia.
“We’re all wearing these little green ribbons to remember our fellow classmate Clark,” Kreutzwieser said, who wore it on her corsage. She added Clark had an effect on her class.
“I feel that they all become so close the past few years, especially after the early high school years, losing Clark.”
The valedictorian had some advice for the class.
“Look forward to the years to come,” she said. “We’re here for a good time, not a long time and there’s better yet to come. There’s so much in store for each of us.”
The salutatorian said he’d be thanking the class for sticking to it and graduating, despite all of the other aspects of life that people have to deal with.
Froehlich he was going to tell the graduates to consider three things: living life with a purpose, understanding their identity, and being prepared for the future. He also reminded the class that while people come and go, the memories you create with them will last forever.
He ended his speech with a quote from Mark Twain: The two most important days of your life are the day you’re born and the day you find out why.
