By Greg Nikkel
The Class of 2017 was encouraged to go out and do something great, as they were also lauded for their many accomplishments in the past school year, at the graduation ceremonies held on Saturday in the Cugnet Centre.
Class valedictorian Gage Marshall infused humour in his speech, first by thanking his parents. “We owe you everything we are, and probably a large sum of money as well. On behalf of the Class of 2017, we thank you for making us the stellar group of men and women that we are,” he said, telling his classmates that one day they will look back on these days at school as their “good old days”.
He predicted that a number of the class will be part of the next generation to make great achievements in their lives, as long as some class members stay away from the ER at the hospital.
“As for the future, I see a bright one on the horizon,” said Marshall. “I have no doubt in my mind you are looking at a great group of young people. It’s so exciting to think about what I’m sure this class will continue to do.”
He said he has no doubts that some of his classmates will “rise to the challenge and prove themselves”, but that there will also be some class members who will be in a video that goes viral on YouTube.
Quoting Alan Alda, Marshall advised his classmates to go on a journey of discovery, saying “what you’ll discover will be wonderful. What you’ll discover will be yourself.”
Earlier in the ceremonies, principal Wade Oberg spoke, noting this is the first graduating class of many from the Weyburn Comp as a Grades 7-12 school.
He said this class has been extensively involved in the school and in extracurricular activities, and they have displayed leadership, musical abilities and athletic accomplishments.
Graduation is a landmark occasion, he said, as “one of the moments in life that helps define who you are.”
Each graduate should take some time to reflect on where they are at in their lives, and ask themselves if they have been successful, noting that it is up to each person to define what they deem to be success. As each member of the class looks at what is in their hearts, said Oberg, they need to take the initiative and “get in the game” by taking action and not letting others define who they are.
He also advised each grad to follow their passion as they set out in their lives, and not be afraid to fail because no one is perfect. It will also be important for each grad to build relationships that will add to their quality of life, and to the quality of life of others.
Melanie Sorensen spoke on behalf of the Southeast Cornerstone board of trustees, noting she is also the mother of a graduate, and so had been to watch a number of the class members grow up from young children into young adults.
She said as a board, “we know and understand that it takes several individuals to guide you, encourage you and even coerce you to reach your goals.”
The board hopes that their time attending school in the Cornerstone division has enabled them to be equipped for moving on to an exciting future in their lives.
Graduate Rebecca Mondor gave the tribute to the parents, with the reply given by Jennifer and Darren Woodard. Mondor admitted it’s difficult to find the appropriate words to describe what it means to have had the love and support from the parents throughout their lives.
She noted it was just a few short years ago that they were brought into the world and gave each child the love and attention they needed to grow and develop.
“You’ve constantly been there, soothing us and picking us up when we fall. You were our first teachers and taught us by setting an example so we could watch you and learn from you,” she said, noting she still remembers her first day at school when she was afraid to let go of her parents hand and go into school on her own.
Over the years as they grew up, their parents were willing to give of themselves, she said, to put their interests before their own.
“It’s impossible to put your sacrifice and support into words. We may not say the words enough, but please know we are thankful,” she said.
In response, Jennifer Woodard spoke as her husband Darren stood behind her, quipping, “Parenting is a team sport, even if one of us stands silent.”
She went on to recite from the Robert Munsch book, “Love You Forever”, singing the refrain, “I’ll love you forever, I’ll love you for always,” noting their last child, Levi, is graduating this year.
“A parents job is never over, though we have so many more milestones to look forward to,” said Jennifer, adding later, “Graduates, as parents, we don’t need you to say thank you, but we appreciate it when you do. This is what we signed up for.”
Teacher Jacquie Williams said she approaches grad from three points of view: as a mom, as a teacher and as a coach.
As a teacher, she said sometimes the rules are tough and they aren’t always fair, “but guess what? That’s pretty much the real world.”
The mother in her worries and wants the best for her students as they go out into the world, and the coach side of her says, “Be your best, not someone else’s best. Simply be the best in everything you do.”
