The limelight enveloped 25 graduates at Boyle School at their July 6 graduation ceremony.
“It hasn’t hit me yet. It’s exciting at any level,” said graduate Jessica Rowan.
“I plan to work up in trades. I like outside; I like being active,” she said, looking forward to working in scaffolding in the Boyle area.
Principal Art Shea had previously stated a greater number of students are either entering post-secondary education or a trade this year compared to previous years.
“Pomp and Circumstance” accompanied the procession of grads into the school gymnasium that sat more than 100 parents and visitors.
After the singing of O Canada and the presentation of diplomas from principal Art Shea and assistant principal Larry Irla, Shea declared graduate Trevor Antal valedictorian.
Antal delivered a valedictorian address and was also honoured with the Governor General’s academic medal.
The students tossed their caps in the air and exited the gymnasium to the sound of Green Day’s “Time of Your Life.”
They returned to the gymnasium in formal attire, paired with their dates.
“All of you are going to go places you’ve never been. You’re going to do things you’ve never done. But you will look back fondly, I hope, at Boyle School,” said Shea in his speech.
“One of the poor things about being a teacher and a principal is quite often when students leave, you never see them again,” said Shea. “You may hear about their success, or read about their success, but you don’t necessarily see them again.”
The principal invited students to drop by any time and let him know how they are doing, acknowledging that as bittersweet as it is to see his grads go, he has done all he can as an educator and is glad to see them move on.
The principal and assistant principal then presented 20 awards, some of which included cheques, to 11 of the students.
Brianna Zilinski received four awards, including the Principal’s Award.
Connie Wlos presented Logan Collin with what she announced would be the last Melissa Anderson Memorial Award. Anderson passed away in 2006.
“The student receiving this award should exhibit some of the wonderful qualities of Melissa. Not necessarily based on high academics, the student should be a hard worker, display leadership and initiative in school …” said Wlos.
Ryan Alice, Athabasca County community peace officer and assistant president of the Boyle & District Crime Watch Association, presented Tyler Graham with the Crime Watch Scholarship Award.
Alice said Graham was chosen because he is “kind, considerate and dedicated” and was actively involved in the creation of the skateboard park, sitting as a youth representative on the Boyle Youth Centre board.
After the award presentations, the grads were led out for the last time to Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’”.
The grads spilled out of the front of the school, greeted their parents and were soon on their way to a formal, invitation-only dinner and non-alcoholic mocktail hour at the Boyle & District Community Centre.
