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Issue 8
SERVING THE ENERGY CITY SINCE 1903
Wednesday, June 19, 2019
www.estevanmercury.ca
Mailing No. 10769 | Publication No. 40069240
Grads were celebrated at a Night of a Thousand Lights
Estevan Comprehensive School 2019 grads gathered in front of the Court House for a group photo, while their parents were patiently waiting on the side for their turn to hug and congratulate their children. Photo by Anastasiia Bykhovskaia The Estevan Comprehensive School’s graduating class of 2019 celebrated moving on to the next chapter of their lives Friday during the school’s annual graduation ceremony at Affinity Place. The festivities started at the Estevan Court House, where the grads gathered for the annual class photo in their finest clothes. Photos were also taken with friends and family members. The attention later shifted to Affinity Place for the ceremonies. This year’s theme was Night of a Thousand Lights. The arena, decorated with blue
and gold, was sparkling. The grads had a few beautiful spots set up for more memorable pictures to be taken. The grad choir and band opened the ceremony performing O Canada and the Grad Song. But that wasn’t it for music, as student representative council co-presidents Levi Stepp and Nathan Littlefield sang their version of A Whole New World during their filled with humor tribute to the teachers. Mayor Roy Ludwig brought greetings on behalf of the City of Estevan. He wished the graduates
to have the confidence in their abilities, listen carefully to those around them and to always have faith in themselves as they take their next steps forward. He also encouraged them to be themselves, be strong, to embrace diversity, to always remember to help others, to have a great sense of humor and enjoy whatever they decide to do. Class representatives this year were Tyler Knibbs and Shaun Montebon, who paid tribute to parents. “We wouldn’t be here today without your unconditional love,” said Montebon addressing the parents.
Principal Pat Jeannot spoke on behalf of the school during the evening, sharing his advice with graduates. “First, learn the importance of asking one very important question over and over and over in your life. And that question is ‘Why’ … My second point, learn the importance of being independent… My third point, life can be difficult, don’t make it more difficult for yourself than it needs to be… Point number four, nothing is impossible,” said Jeannot. Teacher Tammy Podovinnikoff introduced valedictorian Ruth Pecson, talking about her
strength and commitment to success and helping her classmates, her passion and faith that nothing is impossible. “When I first taught Ruth in Grade 9…, I knew she was special. Even then she exhibited what I think is one of her best qualities. Ruth sees where the bar is set and then she consistently exceeds those expectations,” said Podovinnikoff. The opening part came to an end with the speech by Pecson, who graduated with an average of 99.4 per cent. “In Grade 9 we all started our journey at the foreign building known as the ECS. At that
time we were most concerned about the 12-minute run, figuring out what the heck polynomials were, and debunking whether or not there is actually a pool underneath the gym floors,” said Pecson, recalling their first days. “Grade 12 is filled with complex feelings. We are nervous, sad… to say goodbye to our parents’ cooking, to our friends, to high school, to what we call home. We are stressed, overwhelmed by grad season, applying for schools and planning out our future. But most importantly, I believe that all A2 » SPEAKERS
Officers’ retirement means changes are coming for the Salvation Army locally By David Willberg dwillberg@estevanmercury.ca
The pending retirement of Estevan’s Salvation Army officers is going to mean some changes for the ministry and the services it delivers to the area. Majors W ilfred and Heather Harbin announced earlier in the spring they were going to retire at the end of June, ending a lengthy career in ministry with the Salvation Army that spanned 41 years for Heather Harbin and 38 years for her husband. They have been in Estevan since the
summer of 2015. Estevan will not be receiving new Salvation Army officers, but that doesn’t mean the ministry is leaving Estevan. In fact, Heather Harbin expects the Salvation Army will continue to have a strong presence in the city. Ronza Reynard, who is the family services manager for Estevan, will move into the role of ministry director. She will be looking after both Estevan and Weyburn. Jane-Anne Ireland will become the new manager of family services for Estevan. A2 » HARBINS
The Estevan Salvation Army will continue to play a big part in the community despite the pending retirement of Majors Wilfred and Heather Harbin.
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