Residents of Lampman and the surrounding area came together Saturday to provide a unique celebration for the Lampman School Class of 2020.
The town held a graduation celebration for the 13 students who were scheduled to graduate from Grade 12 back in June. On what was a beautiful Saturday afternoon in the southeast, people of all ages gathered to congratulate the grads and wish them the best in the next chapter of their lives.
It started with a parade throughout the town, as the graduates, dressed in their finest clothes, walked down Main Street. The parade was led by the town’s volunteer fire department. Many people from the Lampman area lined both sides of the street to salute the grads. Some of them carried signs.
Tammy Siebert, who was part of a parents committee that organized the festivities, was thrilled with the festivities. In terms of numbers, she’s not sure how many people turned out to watch the parade, because the crowd was spread out throughout Main Street, but she was pleased to see so many people.
“We had a great turnout for it.”
Then the grads climbed aboard the fire truck and headed to the Lampman Health Centre so that the residents would be able to see the grads from the building.
“I think they were very delighted,” Siebert said. “They were very happy to see them in their formal attire, and I think they were very, very thrilled to have them come through, to be able to see them from their windows.”
Then there was a private graduation ceremony that Siebert said met Saskatchewan Health Authority regulations. She described it as “short and sweet.”
“We did some little bios on the kids,” said Siebert. “There was a tribute to the parents, and then we had a guest speaker, a … retired teacher.”
Katie Weinrauch, who was this year’s valedictorian, also spoke to the grads.
Earlier this year, the community had banners hanging on Corrigan Road/Highway 361, which is the road where the school is located. Each banner paid tribute to the grads.
Siebert said it took some time to plan for the celebration. Not only did they have to piece together the activities, but they needed to take current regulations into account.
But the kids were very pleased that they were able to have the one last activity together for graduation.
“They thought it was absolutely wonderful. They all enjoyed it and had a great time, and were able to spend some time with their family afterwards as well.”
A ceremony was to happen back in May, but had to be cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
