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The adventure begins for Boyle grads

2020 graduates get to celebrate in person after all 

BOYLE - A lot of people think of a graduation ceremony as the end of something, but it is called a commencement for a reason — it’s actually a beginning. 

“The 2019-2020 school year will be one that we won’t soon forget,” Boyle School assistant principal Larry Irla said as he emceed the school’s 2020 grad ceremony — a ceremony that many thought would not take place because of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Fifteen graduates took to the stage at the Boyle Community Centre Sept. 5, decked out and looking dapper, and able to gather and mingle with their classmates for the first time since March 13, when schools were forced to close. 

While audience seating was limited, due to considerations for physical distancing, the event was also streamed online via Facebook, which saw more than 60 viewers at times. 

Irla opened up the formal aspect of the ceremony with a few words, followed by principal Sharen Kucie who provided the answers to three questions posed to the grads beforehand about their memories and future plans. 

Valedictorian Colby Bechthold was also able to deliver his speech to his peers and to the assembled onlookers, before the caps were tossed and it all became official. 

Bechtoldt began by thanking school staff, the village and the community for putting on a grad parade early in the summer, when it looked like the 2020 class would not be able to celebrate. It was very well-received by locals, who came out to cheer on the grads. 

“One of the changes that happened because of the COVID-19 pandemic was having a parade. It was a great way to celebrate with our community while social distancing. It meant a lot to our class because we were unsure we would be able to celebrate at all,” he said. 

“We didn’t know that March 12, 2020, would be our last day in Boyle School. We didn’t know it would be the last time we walked through the hallways, looking at the past graduates on the wall, or the mural at the end of the hallway. It was a great learning experience for me and my classmates because we now know the importance of not taking anything for granted.” 

Bechthold reiterated and drew attention to the theme of the event: The Adventure Begins. 

“Now we move towards this new chapter in life, the adventure. I know that everybody in this class has the ability to become successful. If there’s something in your life that interests you, go for it, don ‘t let anything hold you back,” said Bechtoldt. 

Following the throwing of the mortarboards, speeches from dignitaries were read, including from Boyle mayor Colin Derko, Athabasca County Coun. Doris Splane, Aspen View Public Schools chair Candy Nikipelo and Supt. Neil O’Shea, and principal Kucey. 

O’Shea urged the grads to start thinking about what the next part of their lives were going to look like, including who they want to spend time with, what they are going to do for work, and what values they plan to live by as adults. 

“These are not things to be afraid of, rather those are things to get excited about. You need to be curious. You need to take risks. You need to be awoke. I want you to go out there and do what you think is right, not just what’s easy, and not just what feels good. That’s what little kids do,” said O’Shea. “You need to start grounding yourself in values like honesty, generosity, responsibility and respect, fairness. The things that build character and draw other people to you.”

The full graduation ceremony is available for viewing on the Boyle School Facebook page.

 

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