OLDS — During the cap and gown ceremony on Friday night, members of the 2024 École Olds High School graduating class were treated to a story from principal Meaghan Reist.
It was a story about a strong 92-year-old woman who, over the decades, overcame prejudice regarding her mixed marriage, the loss of two of her children within six months of each other last year, and numerous other struggles.
That woman is Reist’s grandmother.
Reist used that story to impart some words of wisdom to this year’s grads.
“Grads, my gramma is a fighter and I am trying to embody some of her bravery into my story every day,” she said.
“My gramma knows that when obstacles arise, we are to listen to our hearts and do the right thing, because that will be what helps us through our next minute, our next hours and our next days.
“Instead of being mad at the world when we encounter obstacles, my gramma wants to say to you educate the world.
“Be strong in your convictions and inevitably choose joy in your present, even in the hard times, because this will help you find happiness in your future.
“You are the true author of where your story ends up. Happy or sad, bitter or grateful, the story is yours to write, so make it a good one.”
Valedictorian Charlise Holmes noted the class of 2024 overcame many obstacles, not the least of which were the challenges that arose from the COVID-19 lockdown.
Holmes said in her case, she not only overcame that, but dealt with social anxiety.
“I almost didn’t come tonight,” she said, but added she was buoyed by the support she had received through the years from family, friends and the school community.
Holmes urged her classmates to seize the opportunities that graduation gives them.
“Even those of you who don’t know where you are going or what you will do, now is the time to take control of your lives and jump right in,” she said.
“We shouldn’t be afraid of what could go wrong. Rather, we need to be excited about what could go right.
“It is our time now to take control and shape our world into what we want and need it to be.
“We have the power to change the world around us and I encourage all of you to use that power to make the world a better place.”
Reist announced that Holmes will join the list of valedictorians who have received the Mitchell Ormann Valedictorian scholarship.
“This scholarship is a great honour and we are grateful to Mitchell’s family for helping recognize our École Olds High School valedictorian Charlise Holmes,” Reist said.
Red Deer-Mountain View MP Earl Dreeshen spoke on behalf of his fellow members of the House of Commons.
He urged the grads to absorb and follow the advice of the mentors in their lives, ranging from friends and family to others.
Dreeshen said he did that when he received advice and encouragement from the late Bob Clark, a well-known former MLA, Olds College chair and Olds Grizzlys general manager.
“He was the person that showed me that political life and what you do with it, if you care about individuals, that it is so meaningful,” Dreeshen said.
Mayor Judy Dahl noted that the theme of the celebration was The Legends Begin.
“I say, let the legends begin,” she said. “Continue to treat others with kindness, be authentic, embrace failure, build relationships and continue to work hard.
“You have become an important part of the world and I encourage you to tell your story.”
Chinook’s Edge School Division (CESD) trustee Kathy Kemmere noted that southern and central Albertans were treated to a display of the northern lights recently.
She picked up on that theme.
“Each of you has your own gifts and talents,” she said. “As you head out these doors into the next chapter, I hope you are aware of these and of your own true north.
“True north is not just a fixed point on a compass, but a metaphor for the internal compass that steers our decisions and actions. It represents a constant, unwavering point of referral in an ever-changing world.
“So as you navigate the vast map of opportunities that lay before you, each of you have your own true north, the guiding star that represents your core values, your deepest beliefs and the principles of who you are.
“I pray you use it as your guide to keep true to your path.
In other words, be true to yourself and follow your heart, simplified.”
CESD associate superintendents Jason Drent and Ray Hoppins gave a speech together as a kind of tag team, taking turns speaking and cracking a few jokes here and there.
But they were serious too.
It was said that way back when the grads began kindergarten the school division struck a deal with parents and caregivers.
“We’re going to work together in a partnership and we’re going to trust one another and we’re going to recognize you as your child’s first teachers,” the crowd was told.
“And it worked out very well and the evidence is sitting in front of us.”
The grads were also urged to “remember your roots. Remember this amazing place that you grew up in.”
All speakers thanked and paid tribute to the family friends, teachers and other school division staff who enabled the grads to get to this point.
The École Olds Elementary and École Olds High school choirs performed for the crowd. Three grads sang O Canada to open the proceedings.
After the graduates received their diplomas, three retiring staff members: vice-principal Kent Lorenz, teacher and student advisor Louan Statchuk and career practitioner Carolyn Bell Tschoumy were honoured.
The celebrations began with the annual barbecue and opportunity for grads to write messages on the road near the school on Thursday. It was delayed this year, due to rain.
On Saturday, the grand march and demonstration dance was held.
A Through The Years Graduation Walk is scheduled to be held on June 17.
