WESTLOCK – After two years of cancelled, partial and virtual events, Westlock graduates celebrated amidst pomp and circumstance and family and friends with in-person ceremonies.
St. Mary School began their graduation day, May 27, with a mass at St. Mary of the Assumption Church with a traditional cap toss, a blessing from Father Aereus and a walk around the school by the graduates. That was followed by a dinner, diploma presentation and dance for the 30 graduating students, at the Westlock Community Hall that evening.
R.F. Staples School held their cap and gown graduation ceremony June 3, with several dignitaries and guest speakers, at the school gymnasium. The ceremony, featuring about 109 graduates, was livestreamed online for those who could not attend in person, as the school has done for the last two years.
“It definitely had a sense of celebration,” said St. Mary School principal Vance Nakonechny. “This year’s students especially, their entire high school (experience) has been affected by COVID … but they’ve been very resilient through it all. There’s just a feeling of relief, a feeling of joy and a feeling of we’re back to where we were before.”
“To have everyone together to celebrate it, is really nice,” added R.F. Staples School principal Wayne Rufiange, noting the last couple of years the school held a drive through (event) but returned to the gymnasium for the cap and gown ceremony.
Both principals noted the importance of high school graduation as an event that’s often a momentous occasion for the young graduates, and after having completed their studies can look to the next chapter in their lives.
“Graduating from high school is a very significant event. For most students this does end their formal education, so to make it through from kindergarten all the way through Grade 12, it’s an important thing for them,” said Rufiange. “The parents and grandparents are so proud, their friends and family — it’s a big deal for everyone so to be able to celebrate it as a community is really important.”
Nakonechny agreed and spoke on the meaning of the event for both staff and students.
“I always consider graduation one of our rights of passage. For these students especially, it was a real joy to celebrate them,” he said. “Our graduation is very personal — we recognize these graduates, we talk about their characteristics, their uniqueness. We really try to acknowledge them and celebrate them for who they are and who they’ve become.”
R.F. Staples valedictorian Rebecca Letts shared a message of empowerment with her fellow graduates, and spoke of how teachers, coaches, parents, guardians, and significant adults in their lives have empowered them and guided them throughout high school, helping preparing graduates for the future.
“It’s a big celebration. Everybody is getting acknowledged for the accomplishment of graduating high school,” said Letts. “You’re prepped for university, for life beyond high school.”
