Nearly 200 graduates made their way across the stage of Spectra Place June 28 as part of the first graduation held in the new arena.
Despite the heat, the stands and floor seating in Spectra Place were packed with family members and friends on hand to celebrate the graduation of the most recent class to pass through the doors of the Estevan Comprehensive School.
"Today is a day of memories and yet it also contains promises of what is yet to be," said principal Mike Little in his address to the students. Inspired by the challenges faced by the Estevan community during the spring flooding, Little encouraged the graduates to take away the importance of three lessons: work until the job is done, do what you can to help others and understand that we are all in this together.
He concluded by touching on the class's chosen graduation theme: Don't Stop Believing, the title of a popular song by Journey.
Logan Senchuk and Kendelle Marr, the 2011 Senior Pin and Senior Ring, took to the stage to give the tribute to the parents. Logan and Kendelle had the crowd laughing as they thanked their parents for their guidance and friendship over the years, explaining that they understood that yelling "Go to your room!" is just another way their parents express their love.
Ron Senchuk and Jackie Marr responded to the tribute. Senchuk took a more serious route, speaking of the years to come. Marr commented that homework would likely have been finished more quickly had the students turned off the cellphones and logged off of Facebook.
SRC presidents Justis Grimsrud and Allyson Haukeness gave the tribute to the teachers, poking fun at the quirks of the ECS teaching staff. They teased Doug Sully about his sense of humour and reminisced about running out of candy during Randy Renkas' music trivia contests.
Colin Keess offered his response, beginning with a story of a student offering a dozen excuses for being on his cellphone every class. Keess had the crowd laughing when he read off several examples of newspaper headlines examined by one of his English classes, giving those in attendance a look into the school lives of his students.
A 14-minute slide show of photos from the school year followed Elly Panteluk's valedictory address, in which she touched on the class's theme, saying that "not all dreams will come true, but it is the act of believing and having a certain purpose in life that everyone should feel."
The grad choir, accompanied by Allison Holzer, performed Thank you before the night was ended by the class' trip across the stage.
Following the presentation of the diplomas, the graduating class of 2011 left the building to prepare for the grand march and, in taking their first steps as graduates, for the rest of their lives.
