LAMPMAN — Lampman School is getting closer to celebrating the achievements of its 2023 graduates.
The school has a diverse group of 15 students graduating on June 10.
"It has been a great year," said principal Annmarie Rosner, adding that the students got to experience a normal grad year before leaving the school. "It was a typical year, it was a busy year. Lots of learning, lots of course selection, lots of sports."
Graduating from Lampman School this year are Sarah Morris, Jared Mcbride, Amelia Genaille, Arianne Raflores, Arvy Lacson, Brendan Lockerby, Cody Veroba, Dexter Saxon, Hallie McGillicky, Hudson Carson, Jay Cee Ferber, Joseph Fleck, Joshua Fleck, Kristin Johnson and Madison Garton.
Rosner said this group of students shined in many capacities the past year. The school's three mixed sports teams, which included Grade 10-12 students, went to provincials for sports.
"We went to senior girls' volleyball provincials, we went to and won gold for the mixed curling provincials. And we went for senior girls' doubles badminton provincials. Sports were busy this year," Rosner said. "And the volleyball girls ended up winning the sportsmanship award, which was a selected award based on … sportsmanship throughout the season and the tournament. So that was a really big celebration."
While the senior boys' volleyball team, also composed of Grades 10-12 students, didn't go to provincials, they still had a successful season.
Besides sports, the school had Grade 12s, among others, on their student representative council, and "their leadership and dedication to [the] school will be missed," Rosner said.
"They had a successful year of planning whole-school events, promoting a positive school culture and fundraising," she added.
The back-to-normal school year will wrap up with a beautiful back-to-normal graduation.
Their theme this year is A Journey of 1,000 Miles Begins with a Single Step, and decorations will be in Lampman School Grizzlies' colours – forest green, black and silver. During the ceremony, traditionally, the bios from the parents will be read as each graduate enters the stage, and students will give their parents or caregivers a rose. There will be a principal's message, a tribute to the parents and reply, and a guest speaker. The ceremony will come to an end after handing out the diplomas.
The Lampman grads fundraising committee also purchased banners for each graduate and they are currently posted along Highway 361 by the school, thanks to a couple of parents. Rosner noted that while this tradition was started as one of the very few ways to celebrate graduates during the pandemic restrictions, it carried so much value that they decided to keep it moving forward.
Rosner said grads are excited for their next chapter, whatever it brings them.
"Some are attending post-secondary school, some are entering the workforce, and some are travelling," Rosner said.
She added that the staff is excited for the students as well and wishes them the best in their endeavours.
"Grad day is always such a great day in our school and community, and our Lampman School staff wishes the class of 2023 the best as they begin their journey outside of school," Rosner said.
