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The Community
Press
Your LOCAL Paper Volume 113, Issue 18
Wednesday, October 28, 2020
Daysland Grads get their big day
PHOTOS COURTESY MARLENE MOHLER
Daysland School’s Class of 2020 was finally able to celebrate a formal graduation on Friday, Oct. 16, at the Daysland Palace Theatre, respecting social distancing and gathering requirements. Front row, from left: Trinity Lee, Elise Mohler, Emma Downie, Tayler Leibel, Makayla Robbins, Katie Foster, Courtney Zak. Back row, from left: Laine Guhle, Dean Wieschorster, Cameron Koslowsky, Devon Ragosin, Ethan Fawcett, Connor Hiebert, Ethan Kroetch, Nolan Primo, Brandon Stewart, Christian Ell. See more photos P11.
Leslie Cholowsky Editor
Daysland’s Class of 2020 finally had the opportunity to celebrate the biggest event of their lives... graduation. With the traditional end-of-year cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, students were excited this fall when the school contacted Grade 12 graduate Elise Mohler to let her know that they would be able to participate in a modified graduation ceremony if students were interested. The class immediately formed a working group and started planning, choosing Daysland’s Palace Theatre as their venue, and in the space of three weeks, a smaller working group of grads planned a graduation for Friday, Oct. 16. Much was changed from previous years, with the official dinner consisting only of the grads themselves, and ticket restrictions on the ceremony leaving only parents able to attend for the most part. As a special treat, graduates treated residents of Providence Place to a special outdoor grand march, despite frigid temperatures, that residents were able to watch through the window as well as another march past the school.
Many of the things that were traditionally part of the student/parent banquet were moved to the ceremony, including a special presentation by guest speakers Mrs. Carlson and Mrs. Story with stories and great memories for all members of the Class of 2020, some all the way back from their first day of school. The ceremony also included the presentation of school awards and scholarships. COVID-19 protocols were put into play, with guests’ temperatures taken, wearing masks to enter the theatre, and following social distancing guidelines once in their seats, and with graduates spaced two metres apart on the stage. Diplomas and awards were presented by Daysland’s former Principal Mr. Brandt and present Vice-Principal Mr. Wilson, using a bench on the stage to safely distance presenter and recipient. Awards presented at the graduation were as follows; information provided by Daysland School. The Math 30-2 Scholarship award donated by Vision Credit Union Daysland was won by Jocelyn Pfeffer. The Math 30-1 Scholarship award donated by Daysland Medical centre was won by Elise Mohler.
The Biology 30 scholarship award donated by Daysland Dental Clinic was won by Connor Hiebert. Elise Mohler was also presented with the Chemistry 30 scholarship award donated by Daysland Pharmacy Ltd. The CTS Practical, Trades and Technology Scholarship award donated by Breitkreuz Auto Repair won by Makayla Robbins. The English 30-1 Scholarship award donated by Daysland Medical Centre was won by Emma Downie. The English 30-2 Scholarship Award donated by Double Z Farms and Meat Processing was presented to Courtney Zak. The CTS Industrial Education Award donated by Heisler Elks Lodge No. 305 was won by Makayla Robbins. The Knowledge and Employability Award donated by the Daysland United Church Women was won by Trinity Lee. The Scott Heisler Memorial Award donated by Moyra and Micky Heisler was presented to Ethan Fawcett. The Social Studies 30-1 Scholarship award donated by Daysland Medical Centre was won by Connor Hiebert. The Social studies 30-2 Scholarship award donated by Vision Credit Union Daysland was won by Elise Mohler. The Top All-Round Grade 12 award,
donated by Heisler Elks Lodge No. 305 was won by Jocelyn Pfeffer. Elise Mohler received the Top Academic Grade 12 award, donated by Knights of Columbus. The Lloyd Sather - Athletic Award was won by Emily Roth. The Larry Sorensen Athletic Award donated by Daysland School was presented to Brandon Stewart. The Green Certificate Highest Standing Scholarship award donated by Terway Farms was won by Elise Mohler. The Drama Award donated by Daysland School was presented to Connor Hiebert. Unfortunately not all of the grad class was able to attend, due to travel distances or other obligations but those who were there not only planned their own grad, but cleaned up afterwards.
2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 1