LUSELAND — June 11, the community of Luseland gathered to celebrate the 12 graduates of Luseland School.
The afternoon kicked off with a parade throughout the town, with the Luseland Fire Department leading the procession. The graduates waved to their supportive community from decorated trucks and cars as they passed by. From the parade, family and friends moved to gather at the school where the graduation ceremonies took place.
Janine Gourlie, a teacher who has known some students since Grade 3, and others since Grade 7, was chosen by the class to be the MC. With a smile she introduced each graduate and their future plans.
The graduates are: Wyatt Bazylinksi, Brayden Bottel-Siwak, Andrew Dieser, Dawson Kerr, Avery Kohlman, Spencer Krieger, Alyssa Leibel, Rickelle Long, Trynity Walford, Benjamin Walz, Jaden Wenkoff, and Quinn Zunti.
The program began with O’Canada, sung by former principal Paula Ross. Then Ruth Weber gave her greetings for the Living Sky School Division. Principal Anita Philips and vice-principal Micheal Hagel presented the graduates with their academic awards. A variety of speakers then came to present the students with eight scholarships.
Ben Walz received the School Community Council scholarship for a student attending university. Wyatt Bazylinski was awarded an academic scholarship from the Luseland Credit Union for a student attending a university. Dawson Kerr received two scholarships, the first from CUPE 4747 and the second from the Luseland Credit Union for a student attending a post-secondary trade school. Lastly, Rickelle Long received three scholarships — the school community council for a student attending a technical school, the LJ Meier Farm Ltd. Scholarship, and the Luseland Credit Union Victor J Delhommeau Scholarship.
Guest speaker Vanessa Faubert, teacher but more than a teacher, gave a heartfelt speech to the group, outlining the many memories she shares with each of the graduates. With a smile, and maybe a few tears, she told them, “It is never too early or too late to try something new, to change course or start over at the beginning of something different. Ask yourself what a happy life looks like to you, and then set about achieving it.”
Valedictorian Rickelle Long addressed her classmates and the crowd, thanking the many teachers who helped them make it to their graduation. She then spoke about the significance of their achievement, and the importance of the day. She said, “Graduation is not the end of a goal in itself; it is instead a part of the larger journey of life. Wherever the future takes you, let it take you somewhere… Our graduation should serve as a launching point, projecting us to wherever our futures are meant to take us.”
More speeches were given as Ben Walz and Jaden Wenkoff gave their salutatorian address. Alyssa Leibel and Avery Kohlman shared the class “Remember When” and Spencer Krieger and Andrew Dieser gave their thanks to the speakers. Trynity Walford gave a heartfelt tribute to the parents, then Phillips gave her closing remarks. The ceremony was followed by a grand march where the graduates showed off their suits and dresses one last time.
With applause, the day’s events came to a close, and the graduates parted ways, but not for the last time. As Mrs. Faubert told them in her speech, “I will see you bright and early Monday morning.”
