Graduation day at Plainview Hutterite Colony School was a bit different this year in that the graduation class of two did not want a big grad ceremony. However, I was told on the side that they just did not want to make the traditional graduate speeches.
So, the event was part of the school’s Awards Day program for all 39 students, from Pre-school to Grade 12. The afternoon program was emceed by long-time school Principal Michelle Shaw, with an audience of family members, school trustees and superintendant, past and present staff members and excited school children.
Before the grads were recognized, a number of other awards were given out to the undergrads for such areas as best attendance, sportsmanship, intramurals, diligence, behaviour, leadership, participation and citizenship. There was no history award, but there was for printing and hand writing.
Along with most of the award certificates, and medals, there were small gifts from the staff. Principal Shaw also took time to acknowledge those students who would have their birthdays in July and August, when school was closed.
The two grads this year were Rebecca Waldner and Deanna Waldner, not sisters, but best friends throughout school.
Both the young women graduated with a Fort La Bosse Gold Diploma, representing more than 35 credits; Deanna will be placed on the FLBSD Honour Roll for having a high school average of 87 percent.
Each also received a FLB Technical Diploma for successful completion of a specific number of Manitoba Department of Education technical courses. The Governors General’s Bronze Medal for Academic Excellence was presented by Superintendant Barry Pitz to Deanna Waldner.
Principal Shaw, in her closing remarks said of the two girls, “I have many fond memories of these students and what comes to mind when I think of them is a poem by Waldo Emerson which is called, “Integrity” , specifically, “What lies before us are tiny matters, compared to what lies within us.”
With that, the formal part of the event was over and it was time for graduation day cake and ice cream, tea and lots of visiting among family and friends as students showed off their certificates and awards.
Afterwards, when all had left, Shaw said, “I was very happy with the turnout and presentation today. I’m proud of all the students’ accomplishments and I’m looking forward to next year.”
Just before I left, I noticed something that gave me a good laugh. One of the younger students had made a wonderful paper airplane out of his certificate. I guess he had summer vacation on his mind.
