NIPAWIN — As Keaton Mollberg and Kelly-Rose Sprenger prepared to give the speeches that capped off their high school careers, the fact it was the end hadn’t sunk in yet.
“It feels surreal” said Mollberg, the valedictorian of LP Miller Comprehensive’s class of 2018. “It doesn’t feel like we’re going to be leaving this place yet.”
“It really hasn’t set in or anything,” added Sprenger , the salutatorian. “We’re all just really excited for this day and haven’t really thought a whole bunch more about what happens after.”
There were 57 students graduating from the Nipawin high school June 28.
“We were a rambunctious group but we were a really tight-knit family,” Mollberg said.
“We had lots of fun times together, lots of memories, that’s for sure,” Sprenger said.
In her speech, Sprenger said LP Miller was home to some of their best times.
“Memories of school dances, sports events, and pep rallies have made these years of learning a little more fun,” she said “We are a small community, here in Nipawin and in LP but I think it’s what makes this whole experience so much better. Everyone knows everyone and the relationships built in this building are something special.”
Mollberg said even through the bad times, the graduates would support each other.
The valedictorian thanked the teachers and staff for helping them realize their potential.
“You have shaped us in ways that cannot be expressed in words,” he said in his speech. “We will proudly wear the marks you have made on us as we go on into adulthood. Thank you.”
Both speakers had some advice for their fellow graduates.
“Mine is going to be to always follow your dreams, to never lose your destination in your sight,” Mollberg said. “Always fight for what you want.”
“Mine is just do whatever is eventually is to make you happy and that should be your sole purpose in life,” Sprenger said.
Mollberg is going to the University of Saskatchewan for mechanical engineering, while Sprenger is going to the same university to take nursing.
Valediction by Keaton Mollberg
Friends, family, teachers, community, and grads, welcome to L.P. Mifier’s 2018 graduation. Tonight marks one of the biggest accomplishments in our lives, and I am honoured to represent the class of 2018.
Thank you, grads, for choosing me to speak on your behalf. As a small step towards reconciliation, I’d like to acknowledge that we are on Treaty Six territory; the traditional lands of the Cree, Dene, Nakota, Saulteaux, and Ojibwe peoples, and homeland of the Métis.
Now to the matter at hand: Graduates of 2018. Are we one good-looking crew or what? It wasn’t long ago that we were excited little Grade 7ers moving up to high school, sporting new backpacks and clothes, figuring out how to use combination locks, and learning the importance of deodorant. Today, we are big birds. We are ready to jump out of the nest and explore the world around us.
However, there are many pairs of hands that led us to this moment, and I’d love to express a sincere and well-deserved thank you to all of them.
Firstly, I’d like to acknowledge those who changed our diapers, rocked us to sleep, and were strapped in beside us on the rollercoaster of childhood. That’s right, I’m talking to the parents, guardians, and adults that have grown with us since we were sobbing little mounds of wrinkles. Raising a rambunctious group like us couldn’t have been easy. However, you made do with what you got and we have turned out to be pretty cool! Thank you for loving us through the good and bad; for taking pictures at recitals, dances, and awards nights (despite our best protests); for reminding us of how special we are; for loving us loudly, and for loving us silently. Mom and dad, thank you for encouraging me to push past my limits and reach new heights. You may have had to put your dreams on hold so that you could make sure that I achieved mine, and it is not in vain. Thank you so much for that. I’m sure all of you, Grads, are thinking of your families right now, too. It’s a new era for us, but it’s also a new era for you. Houses will be quieter, bedrooms emptier, and bathrooms a whole lot tidier. Nevertheless, you had it coming! You’ve raised a group of hard-working, passionate young adults; now it’s our time to prove that your hard work has paid off. Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to lengthy phone calls, emotional reunions, and numerous “care packages” of food in the future.
Next, I’d like to acknowledge those who babysat us in elementary school, guided us through middle school, and then babysat us again in high school. Teachers, EA’s, and the administration: thank you for persevering through our shenanigans, inside and outside of the classroom. We admire your dedication to us from the first day of kindergarten to the last day of Grade 12. You’ve found a way to penetrate our thick skulls and throw in a couple ideas, stories, and equations. Although we might have complained that class could be dull or boring, rest assured you have prepared us for the long, tedious business meetings and lectures that we will soon face. Thank you for teaching us to keep our standards high and our heads even higher. Teachers, all of your attitudes and efforts have not gone unnoticed. Your love for helping us realize our potential is recognized and appreciated. I mean, you must love what you’re doing, because you like to remind us the wages aren’t keeping you here. You have shaped us in ways that cannot be expressed in words. We will proudly wear the marks you have made on us as we go on into adulthood. Thank you.
I’d also like to take a moment to thank Sparknotes, Google, Wikipedia, SlidesCarnival, and Red Bull for making those countless projects and papers a little easier.
Lastly, I’d like to thank everybody else who is here today. Friends and community members, thank you for your wishes, prayers, and support. Your presence here makes this afternoon that much more special for us.
Now, onto the grads. I’ve had the honour of growing up with many of these fine graduates since we were half our size. It wasn’t too long ago that we were learning vowels, doing mad-minutes, and playing the infamous recess game of “grounders” on Wagner Elementary's jungle-gym. Now, these graduates have all made a huge mark on this school and this community. I could ramble on for hours and hours about the memories we’ve shared and the impact all of you have made on me, and each other. I’m sure many of you are reflecting on your own experiences growing up together, and today is the day to do so.
I’d like to recognize the more recent additions to our class, whether they transferred from White Fox or Choiceland or they travelled here from far away. Although your time with us wasn’t as lengthy, the way you meshed into our class, and made yourself at home here, has had an incredible impact on each of us. Thank you for making our time at school that much better. Also, a big congratulations to Skylar and Tristan! You persevered and have passed the finish line, and I am so proud and excited to have you two be a part of our graduating family. Thank you for being so good to us.
So now, Class of 2018, here we are. This ceremony is for us to celebrate finally getting the heck out of this place! In the future, you will hear some people describe high school as the best years of your life. I agree that these years together have been very important for us; but, also, believe that they prepared us for the best years to come. On this bumpy trip to graduation, we discovered what we love to do, what we don’t love to do, who we are, and who we want to be. Now, this chapter in our lives has come to an end, and we must now look to the future. Some of us have a smooth road ahead, with the gas tank full, sunroof open, tunes pumpin’, and destination in sight. Some of us aren’t sure where the destination even is, or maybe the road looks as choppy as the Tobin Lake highway. Nevertheless, it doesn’t matter what route you take, where you’re going, or how long it takes to get there. What matters is that you drive. Follow your passions, whatever they may be: any dream wifi do. And if you don’t know what your calling is, go outside and explore. Travel. Meet new people. Discovering what’s out there can help you discover yourself. Take advantage of this moment in time. With society, politics, and technology rapidly changing, our generation is going to be leading the world. Whether you choose a university, a polytechnic institute, the military or the workforce; whether you stay here in Nipawin or move halfway around the globe; whether you start a family or enjoy the single life; whatever you do, chase your dreams, and let others chase theirs. Don’t just be yourself, but be good. Bring out the best in others, and it will bring out the best in you.
Now, it wouldn’t be fair for me to say that “the world is yours for the taking,” or to promise that life will treat you well. We are all smarter than that. There will be rainstorms where you can barely see what’s in front of you, or a heavy fog will seem to cover the entire road ahead. It’s going to take a lot of time and a lot of work for us to move forward in the world. But those are the times where you kick it into first, pop the clutch, and have a little faith. As Jim Carrey put it: “You can fail at what you don’t want, so you might as well take a chance on doing what you love.” That’s what I want from you, grads. Surround yourself with people who love you for you, and never stop fighting for what you want. Keep that destination in mind and never settle for less than you deserve.
So in conclusion, my fellow graduates of 2018, it’s our big day. It’s all about us. Today can be the first day of the rest of our lives, but tomorrow can be, too. So before we plunge into a world of taxes, student loans, annoying roommates, and diets revolved around takeout and hot pockets; let’s kick back, relax, and celebrate our achievement. We’ve waited years for this one day, so let’s make it one to remember.
Salutation by Kelly-Rose Sprenger
Good afternoon, teachers, parents, family, friends, and fellow classmates. My name is Kelly-Rose Sprenger and I have been given the honor to welcome you all to a celebration of the graduating class of 2018! Today’s ceremonies is a commemoration of the 12 years we have spent climbing through barriers, facing challenges, and growing to get to where we are right now, at this moment. Let’s face it, we could not have achieved all that we have if not for the amazing support of those around us along the way.
To those who have literally been with us since day one, I would love to welcome our parents. You truly have seen us at our lowest and highest points, with everything in between. You have been our biggest supporters since the day we first peddled our bicycles to the very first time you took us out to practice driving.
To the teachers, congratulations. You have survived yet another year with a crew as wild as ours! You have guided us from noisy, snotty, energetic little kids to the decently well prepared 18-year-olds, ready to take on real life.
The coaches, support staff, and other community members here this afternoon, welcome. You have played a huge role in getting us to walk across this stage and into adulthood. We are truly grateful. I would also like to welcome our family, friends, and other guests.
Some of the most important, influential individuals in our lives. The people who always see the good in us and take pride in the who we are becoming. And finally, grads! What a good looking bunch! I would like you all to just soak up this moment, here, surrounded by the people who love you the most in the world, all to celebrate the ending of a chapter but the beginning of the rest of you lifes novel. Each and every one of you is truly so capable of leaving a remarkable impact on the world and I am so proud to be a part of this experience with you. The seven years that I have spent by your sides have been one heck of a good time with some memories I know I will never forget.
So, as we begin our ceremony, I’d like to take a moment to reminisce about our time here at L.P. Miller. From the awkward, annoying little Grade 7ers we were only six years ago to now, this building is home to some of our best times. Memories of school dances, sports events, and pep rallies have made these years of learning a little more fun. We are a small community, here in Nipawin and in L.P. but I think it’s what makes this whole experience so much better. Everyone knows everyone and the relationships built in this building are something special. Although we’re all so anxious and excited to go out into the big wide world and explore outside of our little town, I know we are all bears at heart.
Grads, this is our day! Enjoy every second of it, you deserve it. For the last few years we have worked so hard to get to this point, on the brink of adulthood, and I truly believe we’re all so ready to take on this new chapter. As this is probably the last time we will all be together, I would like to leave you with the words of Chris Martin: “We are all ordinary, it’s what we do that makes us extraordinary.” So my advice to you is to go out there, make your mark, and live your life the way that makes you the happiest!
With that ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of the graduating class of 2018, I would love to once again welcome you all to the this afternoon’s ceremony. Thank you and enjoy this special occasion!
