Last Saturday, 19 students graduated from the Gordon F. Kells High School in Carlyle.
The celebration was held at the Carlyle Sports Arena with an estimated 350 family and friends in attendance.
Amy Rutten was the MC. After the graduates were introduced with brag sheets and introductions prepared by the students themselves, Cooper Humphries and his electric guitar started proceedings with a stunning rendition of O Canada.
Madison Magotiaux and Kaysha Turner saluted their fellow graduates. Drayden Arndt and Trystan Barta delivered a message of appreciation and gratitude for their teachers.
Principal Maurice Saltel congratulated the class on their achievements and vice-principal Darcy Howe presented various bursaries and scholarships to deserving grads.
Obtained from the teachers’ welcoming introductions on each student, here are the future plans of every graduate.
Jeanne Alvarez’s post-secondary plan is to go to Brandon University this fall to acquire a bachelor of arts, eventually moving towards a major in psychology. Drayden Arndt plans on pursuing electrical studies after finishing work on the farm this year.
Trystan Barta’s plans for the future include moving to the U.S. and never coming back. Ever. After high school Colby Cuddington is going to enjoy his summer and figure out his plans for the fall. Brandon Haddow will be going to Sask Polytech to get his journeymen in plumbing and gas fitting in order to eventually take over the family business.
Rylee Himmelspeck plans to attend Mount Royal University for nursing. The future plans of Cooper Humphries include working on the farm for a bit, becoming a ‘real’ rock star, and having a good time. Mostly the last two.
After high school, Sidney Jones plans to attend Medicine Hat College for nursing. In the fall, Jastine Maglanque plans on attending Assiniboine Community College to take culinary arts. After high school, Madison Magotiaux plans to attend the University of Calgary for business.
In the fall, Dane Manlapaz plans to enroll at the University of Saskatchewan to take engineering. Carter Morrison will be attending Medicine Hat College for education. Jom Payabyab plans to take a year off but wants to study in school to become a flight attendant.
Summer Rutten will be working in Saskatoon this fall and then will be moving to British Columbia sometime in the future. Kaedin Slykhuis is planning to take a year off school to decide if he should become a train conductor or see if the boys were lying and he does have a basketball career.
LJ Tinio will be attending the University of Saskatchewan for engineering as well as to complete a bachelor of science degree. After high school, Kaysha Turner plans on working at the Carlyle golf course until the end of the season, then she will travel from coast to coast. In the fall of 2023, she will attend university for kinesiology.
River Whitebear has applied for Bold Eagle, a course that mixes Indigenous culture and military training, preparing youth for the Canadian Forces. Kamden Zandee enjoys his Grade 12 classes so much that he plans on returning next year. He works hard to complete his work, but just like other students, he may need a nudge to keep on task.
Sidney Jones was this year’s valedictorian. The guest speaker was former vice-principal Dean Zacharias. Pictures of each graduate are being proudly displayed on Carlyle’s Main Street. A lovely parade wound its way throughout the town to complete the program.