Sixty-one Virden Collegiate Institute graduates crossed the floor to receive their Manitoba High School Diplomas, Tuesday morning in Tundra Oil & Gas Place arena.
The ceremony was preceded with VCI Grad Choir singing “Found Tonight”. Student Council President Tori Eilers addressed the graduates and guests, and Vice-Principal Michael Bertram announced a host of subject awards.
About 70 scholarship/awards were presented to VCI graduates to help students pursue their dreams in further education.
As each student crossed the stage to receive their diplomas, some were draped with Honors’ sashes they had earned, and everyone received a hearty hug and warm congratulations from VCI Principal Mark Keown.
Governor General’s Bronze Medal
With an overall average on Gr. 11 and 12 courses of 95.77 per cent, Anneliese Schlelsnak was the recipient of a prestigious award presented by Superintendent Barry Pitz, who said, “On behalf of His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnson, I’m proud to present this year’s Academic Award to Ms. Anneliese Schlelsnak.”
Valedictorian
Dalton Wilson delivered the Valedictorian address and spoke of poignant moments.
“Some of us were shy, while others rushed about the classroom.”
He raised a chuckle recounting, “A few years go by, and one of the worst thing you could ever hear in the entire world was, ‘You aren’t invited to my birthday party anymore.’
“All throughout those years you looked at the big kids and desperately wanted to grow up to be adults … to be a firefighter, doctor, nurse, professional race car driver, the world’s next Beyonce or NHL’s next big star.”
He urged his class to, “live in the moment and better yourself now… to be ready for the next chapter in your lives.”
Tribute and response
Sharing the Tribute to Parents on behalf of the grads, Ashlyn Clarke said, “As children we looked up to you literally and figuratively. And now, years later, even if we are taller that you, we continue to look up to you.”
In the parent’s response, sharing memories Julie Clarke said “One of the lessons we learned as parent – that while the days were sometimes long, the years were much too short.”
Ashlyn spoke of the many firsts that parents shared with their children who are now graduates. She also pointed out the many lasts. “The last time you picked us up, last time you packed our lunch and our very last day of high school. As we move forward with our lives we know we can count on you to support us through the many more firsts and lasts to come.”
Principal’s farewell
VCI Principal Mark Keown, in an impassioned speech expressed his pride of this 2018 Graduate class.
“An important part of today is me taking time to sign diplomas,” he said. He likened the student’s progress in their school lives to the formation of diamonds.
“You’ve had some tough times, some of you. It’s great to see you get here today. Some tears just because I’m proud of the job that you’ve done.”
He listed some of the experiences of his years with these students, including amazing marks while taking part in extra-curricular activities. He called the class “Sneaky amazing!”
“One last lesson before you go…” Keown recounted the process begins within the earth. Early years at home and school was like the carbon as it began within the earth.
“Intense pressure, intense heat, for me that would be the middle years… I remember the looks on some of your faces as you showed up in Gr. 5 for Junior High. That was pressure.”
Keown recalls his days as junior high principal.
“Peer pressure starts to kick in and become a huge part of your day. You start to listen to your peers, maybe more than your family… it becomes intense.”
He finished, saying that carbon is looking for a way to the surface, having become a diamond waiting to be mined.
“We hope we have provided you some of the skills to do whatever it is you want to do.”
