The Estevan Comprehensive School's graduating class of 2013 have now entered the future, the next chapter in their lives.
A total of 177 of the 182 graduating students made their way to Spectra Place last Wednesday afternoon to mark the grand occasion in style, temporarily replacing bright and beautiful dresses and formal ties and coats with graduation gowns and mortarboard caps to commemorate the completion of one of the most important phases of life's cycle the graduation from an accredited secondary school.
The ceremony that accompanied the highlight moment when each of the graduates strolled across the stage to accept their Grade 12 certificate, was complete in its composition as tributes were paid to parents and teachers with replies in kind. There were a few touching words of departure from their principal and lots of cheers and hugs and more than a few tears.
Mike Little, who has been principal at ECS for the past 10 years, is stepping down into retirement but left this class with a good list of recommendations and suggestions to follow in his wake.
Retiring educator Kathy Brown, in response to a tribute paid to the teachers, challenged the grads to never fear decision making. She told them that some already know what they'll try in the immediate future while some may still be pondering their next route.
"Whatever path you choose, make sure you like yourself. It's your happiness you need to pursue, not someone else's. Do that, and your passion will find you. Success is not the arrival, it's about the journey," she said.
In his farewell address, Little commended the students for choosing the theme of "With Every Ending Comes a New Beginning".
He too, focused on the need for these emerging adults to make decisions that "may not change the world order, but will change your world. Today, like a builder, you are laying the foundation for your future. Each one of you will build a different life. Some of you have great dreams, lofty ambitions; you plan on seeing the world. Some of you are more content with a simpler lifestyle. Whatever path you choose, I urge you to reach out for your personal best. Whatever you choose to do, do it well," their principal told them.
Leaving them with 10 points to ponder, Little noted that life was a journey, that it was a good thing to dream and it was important to take pride in family. He also urged them to splurge by doing something they loved and not to worry what other people might think of them since time is a limited resource. He also asked them to observe humility and patience and make an effort to protect the environment and practice compassion.
Megan Vanstone provided the invocation for this year's event, asking for blessings on the grads as they pursued joy and fulfillment.
Little read a message of congratulations from Saskatchewan's Minister of Education Russ Marchuk, and former ECS teacher and current president of the Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation, Colin Keess, brought greetings from that body that represents the 12,000 educators in the province.
Vice-principal Allison Holzer presented the senior pin and ring to Allison Mack and Lucas Lafrentz who then proceeded to pay tribute to parents. They thanked them for putting up with them over the years and for providing comfort through their heartbreaks and challenges.
"You were behind us, even on that first day as we got on the bus and had those back to school pictures to take," said Lucas.
"You taught us how to keep on keeping on when we thought graduation was so far away," said Allison.
They thanked their parents and all parents for "pushing us," and "we know we could have told you we loved you more often, and we loved you even more thanks to your sacrifices, so thanks for walking with us on this path, and when we look behind us, we'll see you and the love you have."
Norm Mack and Marlene Lafrentz, in their response as parents, spoke for the parental mass in the audience but noting that when they first sent their young charges off to school with snotty noses and backpacks, they had no idea this day was going to come so quickly.
"We will hold memories of easy and not-so-easy times, but we grew and learned and you grew and learned," said Mack, adding that they stood behind their kids as they took on more risks and challenges. "And we've always worried, have we prepared them enough?"
Mack went on to note that it would be good for their soul to work hard and "I'm losing a piece of my daughter today, but remember, where you came from and who's your daddy."
Lafrentz, noted that as a parent, she spoke for all who have provided love and discipline in equal amounts and while there may have been complaints that he was a big boy now, "You'll eventually get why we did what we did, and that applies for all families. Now I ask you to remember old friends and make new ones. Dream big and keep God in your heart and yes, you are big girls and boys now."
Grads Shaylee Foord and Karissa Gustafson, in paying tribute to the teachers, noted how they learned over the years "how hard it is to be a teacher. We expect too much from them. but they've always given us the necessary things in class and in life's lessons."
Paying tribute to some individual educators as well as speaking to the entire staff, the two noted how the grads only had to remember a handful of teachers while teachers have thousands of people out there in the world who will remember them for the rest of their lives.
Following a video tribute to the grads, prepared by Madison Skjonsby and Breanne Van De Woestyne, valedictorian Jordan Torgunrud spoke to her fellow classmates.
"Let's leave here remembering only the good things. We entered this school four short years ago, thinking we were grown up, ready to take on the world. Oh, how wrong we were," she said.
She said they had to learn the hard way that they didn't have all the answers and that they never will, but they had learned how to persevere and never to stop trying.
She noted that "we gained an understanding of what being mature meant. The theme this year of every ending coming with a new beginning not only means this is a new beginning, but also that we have worked so very hard for this new beginning," she said.
"Seeing as today is the last day we will all be together, let's leave without regrets. Let's take that attitude into the rest of our lives and most importantly, remember to always be young at heart. Stay golden guys."
The audience, consisting of parents, grandparents and family friends enjoyed selections from the graduating band and choir members plus the annual presentation of the gift to the school from the graduating class.
Later that evening, the female grads re-donned their fancy dresses and colourful gowns, the formal coats, slacks and ties for the men and engaged in a social evening with those family and friends before departing for the school for an all-night, chem-free party.
