INNISFAIL – After years of study and hard work, Grade 12 students at Innisfail High School received their reward.
Teachers, parents, family members and graduates gathered at Innisfail High School for the 2019 Graduation Ceremony on Saturday (June 8).
A total of 75 students received their high school diplomas this year.
“I want to remind them the reason they’re here today is the hard work that they put in,” said Wayne Pineau, principal. “Hard work is like an investment in themselves so they have to remember that no matter how tough life gets, they work hard, they can overcome the obstacles that get in their way.
“It’s been fun to watch them come through the years because they do work hard and they have reaped the rewards of their efforts,” he added.
The ceremony included welcoming the graduates, speeches by several guests and dignitaries, the presentation of diplomas, staff and valedictory addresses and the mortarboard toss.
Pineau also noted one student, Josh Marston, who was recently injured in an accident, was in hospital in Calgary and could not attend the graduation ceremony.
“We are sending our thoughts and prayers out to Josh, a young man who was in an accident last weekend who won’t be with us (today),” said Pineau. “We’re sending our best for him and his family during the recovery. We’ll make sure he gets his diploma.”
Innisfail-Sylvan Lake MLA Devin Dreeshen was one of several dignitaries in attendance.
“I want to remind the grads to thank their family, their friends and everybody that helped them along the way on this very important journey,” said Dreeshen. “It’s great to see all that hard work paying off for these grads.”
Laura Rib, 17, was Innisfail High School’s valedictorian for the graduating class of 2019.
“(This day) means a lot to me. It shows that all of us have gone through high school together, we made it to the end and we’re celebrating how we did that,” said Rib. “Our journey is complete now and all of our futures are going to be different and unique.”
Rib said she would cherish many things from her high school experience, including the friendships formed, memories made and the hard work that she and her fellow graduates put into their education.
“I want them to remember how much work and effort they put into getting their diploma and just to be proud of themselves for that accomplishment,” Rib concluded.
