There was cause for celebration last Friday when Barrhead Composite High School’s Grade 12 students celebrated a major milestone: graduation.
The graduates gathered at the Agrena at noon for the graduation ceremony, where the students heard words of wisdom from a number of speakers.
BCHS principal David Garbutt made a lasting impression on the young men and women when he cruised into the arena on his Harley Davidson.
Garbutt questioned what the grads were likely to remember from their time at the high school.
“The subjects they learned? Maybe. The friendships they had with other students? Probably. The teachers they spent much of their time with? Very likely, at least I hope so, as we are about relationships,” said Garbutt.
After a little interactive game of “guess the teacher,” Garbutt said his sincere hope is the grads remember the staff.
“They have high expectations and hopes for your success,” he said. “We will miss you all very much. Now our work with yours has come to an end, and it has been a priveledge.”
Pembina Hills Assistant Superintendent Wendy Scinski said as the grads move forward, the theme “Onwards and Upwards” will have different meaning for each person, depending on their chosen path.
“It may mean post secondary education, or securing a job, or perhaps travel,” she said. “Whatever your plans may be, always remember your theme, and be cognizant your decisions need to be moving you to a better place.”
From this day forward, she said, it’s up to each individual to be the author of their own story.
Class valedictorian this year was Alex Filbert, who carried a Grade 12 academic average of 96 per cent.
“It has been a long road for us all. We have had times of success and failure. Moments of glory and discouragement,” he told his fellow graduates. “Nevertheless, we have made it this far and it seems like a chapter of our life has been completed.”
Filbert quoted Sir Winston Churchill: Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.
“Successes and failures still lie ahead, just as they have become an element of our past,” said Filbert. “Yet, even during periods of distress, I think we must not abandon our path. Quitting must not be an option.”
