A celebratory moment for 10 Grade 9 students and their parents had a bittersweet feeling for staff and school supporters as the last graduation exercises were held for St. George School, June 15. With a total school population of only 52 students for 2011-12, the school closed its doors at the end of June.
Following a special mass led by Father Andrew and a lunch catered by the school community council, the afternoon began with an awards presentation. Ten awards of $100 each were given out. Winners were Cjardai Ulrich - religion and citizenship awards; Austin Gutting - stewardship; Jaelynne Rohs - math and creative arts awards; Kailan Kaufman - science and language arts awards; Jordan Laturnus - social and health awards; and Kirklan Glassford - physical education.
The language arts award was donated by the St. James Catholic Women's League and presented by Annette Gutting. Gutting was one of four members of the first Grade 12 class to graduate from St. George in 1958. In 1974, due to declining enrolment, St. George went from a K-12 school to a K-9 school.
Following the awards presentations, educational assistant (EA) Marion Schell took centre stage as she shared memories she had of each of the graduating Grade 9 students and of the sole Grade 8 student, Bryce Hanterman. Schell started at the school as an EA when the graduating Grade 9s entered kindergarten.
Grade 8/9 teacher Kim Kipp addressed the class and other audience members, saying she had always told them to be sure to "finish on a strong point" and St. George was certainly doing so by having these students as its final graduating class. After giving a top 10 list of what the class had taught her over the last year, she concluded by saying, "The future is in capable hands - yours."
After a slideshow, SRC co-presidents Jordan Laturnus and Cjardai presided over the filling of a time capsule to be opened upon their Grade 12 graduation from McLurg High School and then again at their 10-year high school reunion. Kipp and each student contributed something to the time capsule.
Kipp then presented each graduate with a gift from the staff. The boys received sterling silver key chains and the girls crystal key chains, all individually engraved with names, school name and year.
Principal Liz Duncan concluded the afternoon's ceremonies with a short address. She started by saying that all year everyone had tried very hard not to say the words, "the last time", but, she said, "it's time for a reality check. You, yes, the 10 of you, are the last class to graduate from St. George." She said the staff was very proud of the students, both academically and the persons they'd become.
While Kirklan Glassford will be attending Notre Dame next year, Austin Gutting, Brayden Johnson, Kailan Kaufmann, Jordan Kovach, Jordan Laturnus, Reid Laturnus, Jaelynne Rohs, Serena Sander and Cjardai Ulrich, along with the current St. George Grade 6, 7 and 8 students, will all be moving over to McLurg High School in September. The K-5 students will attend Norman Carter School.
St. James Parish has purchased the school building from the Light of Christ School Division and plans are in the works for various church and community functions to be hosted within the former school walls.
