OLDS — The École Olds High School class of 2023 members celebrated their graduation this past weekend noting they overcame many challenges along the way, including COVID-19 restrictions.
Things got underway with the traditional spray painting of pictures and messages on the road behind the high school Thursday afternoon.
The cap and gown ceremony was held on Friday night in the CLC gym, followed by the banquet, grand march and dance Saturday night in that same facility.
On Friday night, Pomp and Circumstance played as the graduates filed into the gym, led by an RCMP officer in red serge.
Elder John Sinclair welcomed the grads and gave the greeting.
He said he came from very humble beginnings “in the bush” with a grandmother who urged him to go to school, despite her own fears about the future due to her experiences in residential school.
"Today I see all you young people sitting here and know that that future is shining. There’s no fear there, and that’s so, so awesome for all of you,” he said.
“So I’m thankful to the teachers that work here, the education system, Chinook’s Edge (School Division), all the people that are involved in this school and the rest of the schools.”
Red Deer-Mountain View MP Earl Dreeshen, who began his working life as a teacher, paid tribute to principal Meaghan Reist who is in her first year as principal of ÉOHS, having taken over from Tom Christensen who retired last year.
“It may have been a few years ago, but to see one of my talented former students attain such a role is very special,” Dreeshen said.
Dreeshen addressed the graduates, saying the problems they face today are very different than those he and their teachers faced while growing up.
“We need to return to a place where we have pride in our nation, respect for heritage and our history and as your graduation says, encourage everyone to get back to your roots,” he said.
“But given the right incentives, the freedom to fail and the encouragement to keep trying and pushing forward, the sky is the limit.”
Several speakers picked up on the grad ceremonies’ theme that the graduates have completed the first chapter of their story.
Mayor Judy Dahl said, “Remember your roots and tell your story, as the best miracle we will experience in our lifetime is the power to make a new tomorrow."
“This is the moment of truth. Become the writer, the director, producer of your own roots and create something magical.”
Chinook’s Edge School Division 73 (CESD 73) trustee Kathy Kemmere said work sometimes seems to have a bad connotation so she used the letters that make up that word to stand for wonder, opportunity, responsibility and knowledge.
“To quote Mark Twain, he states, ‘The two most important days in your life are the day that you are born and the day that you know why'," Kemmere said.
“So on the journey to your ‘why,’ take the time you need to discover your passion. And wherever you go, go with all your heart and to your next mountain top.
“And in that journey, may you discover wonder, opportunities, responsibility and knowledge. Enjoy the work, we are truly wired for it.”
CESD 73 associate superintendent Ray Hoppins gave the grads the opportunity to vote how long his speech would be. They gave him one minute.
Hoppins noted he had known most of the grads way back when they were in Kindergarten.
Like many speakers, he paid tribute to all the CESD staff who helped the grads make it to this point; not only the teachers but the bus drivers, custodians and others.
“If you lined up a thousand people that represented the whole earth, you’d be in the top one out of those thousand people in terms of being lucky. We are that lucky. So we have that gratitude, thank you staff," said Hoppins.
“And we’re grateful for your parents, it was a great partnership. Thank you parents for trusting your kids with us, we think that’s wonderful."
Principal Meaghan Reist related to the grads saying she too has had her share of tough challenges, starting way back in Grade 11 when she came to ÉOHS as a new student.
She took on a new challenge this year when she became principal, not knowing all that that would entail and how she would navigate it.
On top of that, this year, her beloved mother passed away.
Reist shared some of her mom’s life lessons contained in letter to her and her brother.
“You will face tough decisions every day, many of which will test your patience, character and peace of mind. Please never compromise your character or integrity for anyone or anything.
“Always hold the door open for people and remember to say ‘thank you,’ ‘please’ and ‘excuse me.’ Appreciate and acknowledge things that many people say and do.
“Be kind and caring, as there is a lack of this in the world. Honour your commitments. Lend a helping hand.
“Respect others, regardless of religious beliefs or political views.
“Listen to your heart, it will always guide you in the right place.
“Forgive. And remember to do random acts of kindness. It doesn’t have to be much, maybe simply a note, as these gestures will make people feel good, not to say how great you will feel doing them.
“You are about to leave the halls you’ve come to know as your own. You’re about to begin your new chapter, make plans and start treading your own path and I am confident you are ready for it."
Emily Cartwright was this year’s valedictorian and as such, she receives the Mitchell Ormann Scholarship which includes a cheque for $1,000.
Ormann, an ÉOHS grad and valedictorian, passed away in the fall of 2018.
Cartwright was introduced by teacher Jana Kemmere, who said Cartwright not only achieved the highest academic average among all the grads, but also embraced all that high school had to offer, getting involved in clubs and other activities. In addition, she assisted others who needed help.
Cartwright also referenced the evening’s theme, dividing her speech into chapters.
Like Reist, Cartwright did not grow up in Olds but moved to town in Grade 7. She said she was grateful for the way she was welcomed in the community.
She praised her classmates for overcoming big obstacles, COVID-19 restrictions being a major one.
“We know what it is to be isolated, so when we were given the chance to be together as a class, I do believe we made the most of it, especially this year, since it was the first year without the interruption of COVID and online learning," Cartwright said.
“Our high school experience was anything but ordinary and was faced with hardships the world has never seen before, yet we still managed to have fun along the way.
“Like all the best stories, I’m going to leave this one on a cliff-hanger. It is up to you now to decide how this one will end.
“This is only the beginning for our graduating class and I’m sure that there are big plans in store for us for the rest of our lives.”
