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Wednesday, May 27, 2020 Vol. 43, No. 22
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Irma Grads take victory lap Patricia Harcourt Editor
Village of Irma grads were celebrated last Friday with a procession down Main Street as residents waved, honked, took pictures and shouted their congratulations. With the theme, "Small Town, Big Dreams," the 14 members of the graduating class for 2020 includes Tryten Archibald, Brayden Armitage, Kirti Bagga, Josh Challenger, Tyson Crawford, Jason Glasgow, Easton Gwinn, Steven King, Cassy Larson, Haley Larson, Macie Larson, Harrison Lawson, Chase Squires and Jordan Venema. Each grad drove in a vehicle for the procession in keeping with the social distancing rules that prevented the usual ceremonies in the school. This was the first class to graduate out of the newly built school in Irma which just opened last September. The class had been looking forward to their role as the first class to use the new auditorium for their ceremony, which begins with a processional to the stage. This year, however, they improvised a processional using vehicles on the day originally chosen for their grad. The procession ended back at the school with photos taken of the grads lined up in front of their cars in front of the building. More photos were taken with grads standing beside their photos showcased on the school's front windows. The excitement didn't begin and end there, though. All week, the teachers had been busy conducting parades to each graduate's house, going to about two per day, which was initially a closely guarded secret to gain the element of surprise. The teachers arrived in a parade of vehicles, horns honking while shouting their well wishes. The grads were presented flowers and balloons, and a wooden box made by Principal Darren Grosky which the teachers filled with gifts. Mr. Grosky and Ms. Thomson made signs with enlarged photographs of each grad that were set out on their lawns stating: "An Irma School Class of 2020 Graduate Lives Here!" Then the grads did their vehicle processional down main street on Friday afternoon. It started with a gathering of teachers and grads at the bus loop on the school grounds. The drive by was a way for the school and community to recognize each student. But there is also the hope of another more traditional graduation ceremony taking place later in the year. And the grads are saving their fancy dress clothes for that time, hopefully in the fall, when family and friends can come together to help mark this important milestone in their lives.
Grad Kirti Bagga is one of 14 grads who was honoured with a parade to her home last week. All were presented with flowers, balloons, and gifts from Principal Darren Grosky, and others.
The Irma community came out en masse to greet and congratulate the graduates who drove in separate vehicles down main street last Friday as a procession honouring their milestone.