The Community
Press HAPPY CANADA DAY
Volume 116 Issue 51
Leslie Cholowsky Editor Central High Sedgewick Public School graduands held their graduation ceremony on Saturday, June 22, at the Wild Rose Coop Rec Centre in Sedgewick, with a packed audience supporting the Class of 2024. There were 43 graduates present this year. Ava Bergseth and George Rosiechuk got the ceremony started, and called up Ian MacEachern to introduce each graduate and call them up to the stage to take their seats for the ceremony. After introducing each grad and reading their prophecies, MacEachern then honoured Jake Lazarick, who would have been part of this graduating class before his sudden passing in 2022. “Jake probably arrived at the gates, and tried to tell St. Peter how to do his job, and when that didn’t work, probably tried to tell the choir of angels to ‘step into the 21st century and try some hip hop.’ “Knowing Jake’s caretaker personality, he would do best as a guardian, so if you feel a gentle touch on your shoulder, steering you towards a positive choice, know that it’s your guardian Jake looking out for you.” CHSPS Principal Richard Cowan gave his address to the grads. Cowan acknowledged the hard work that parents and other volunteers put into an “outstanding”graduation event. “Grade 12s, for as long as you can remember, you’ve been the author of your own story. Each year a new chapter filled with settings and characters, and filled with events. “You may, at times, have believed someone else was writing this story for you, but it has been you all along, and here you are again. “And suddenly, it’s time to start something new, and trust that process of starting all over again. An unfinished story - onto the next chapter waiting to be written.” Cowan talked about meeting this year’s grads when they were in Grade 5 and he first arrived at the school. Camrose MLA Jackie Lovely also said a few brief words, encouraging the grads to return to the rural area after obtaining their schooling. BRSD Trustee Dwight Dibben gave his address to the grads. He encourage grads to remember that the day was not just theirs, “A lot of people put a lot of time and effort into letting you get here today.” He also said, “Remember that there’s a
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community that’s here behind you, that’s proud of you, and that will always be here to support you.” Dibben then offered some down to Earth and often humorous advice to the grads. Guest speakers David and Darek Graff who said it was a humbling thing to be asked to speak having been on the stage themselves 20 and 30 years ago. “It makes you look back and remember how special these moments are.” The pair said they wanted to focus on three major things in their message, “Wisdom, service, and love.” The Graffs used humour and tales of their own experiences to put across their message. “Be giving of your time, your time is your most valuable asset. It’s the one thing you can never make more of, and you never know how much you have. Use it wisely.” Tracey Holt brought the message from the parents. She said, “Some of the things we taught you as a toddler still apply, and will remain so for the rest of your lives.” She talked about, as parents, holding on to a toddler’s fingers, encouraging them to take a step.”Guaranteed, you fell over, and we said ‘It’s okay, you’re okay.’ “We convinced you to try again, and within minutes you had it figured out, within days you had it mastered. “Here’s the thing we want you to remember, that we are still and always will be your guard rails. We will be your biggest fan and your toughest critic.” Grads Jenna Borth and Kara Niehaus gave the response. In their talk, they thanked parents for each aspect of their journey through school, from school lunches to class trips. “Thank you for putting us first when you had a million other things going on, and never making us feel like anything else was ever more important. Showing up for the small things has made all the difference in allowing us to celebrate the big things, like today.” Grads Emily Grant and Abby Krys then delivered their message to the teachers with humour and fondness. “We know we weren’t an easy class,” Grant said. They thanked a number of teachers individually and collectively, with an extra thanks for their high school teachers. A teacher’s response was given by Delanie Hellekson and Madison Nickel. “It has been a privilege to witness you grow into the amazing young adults you are today. “Your compassion and kindness for others has not gone unnoticed. You’ve helped make CHSPS a better place.”
Beautiful weather for Bog in the Burg Page 18
Wednesday, June 26, 2024 s
Central High Sedgewick Public School celebrated its 2024 Graduates during the afternoon of Saturday, June 22. Forty-three Graduands crossed the stage to a proud and loudly supportive crowd of family and friends. Above, Avery Guterson Love accepts her diploma from Principal Richard Cowan. Each grad then was called up individually to accept a certificate from Mr. Cowan and Mr. Nickel. Class Valedictorian Zaira Seffern was the closing speaker. “To the families, friends, and teachers who have guided us this far, we owe our very beings as we stand today. My fellow graduates and I could never have made it here without you.” She also said, “It’s more than just circum-
stance that makes us all who we are. The choices we make, the love we cultivate on our own, are intrinsic to the people we become.” The remainder of the celebration took place later in the day, with a formal dinner and dance. Many extended families took advantage of a number of photo backdrops to keep memories of the event.