Jasper Junior/Senior High School has always been a close-knit kind of place, so it wasn't surprising that this year's Grade 12 students looked more like an extended family rather than the graduating class of 2016.
Friends, families and community members packed the school's gymnasium to witness the momentous occasion and celebrate the successes and accomplishments of all 31 graduates, on May 6.
In pairs, the black and red robed youths made their way through the gymnasium. As they walked through the crowd, Mark Crozier, the school's principal, proudly called out the name of each and every grad. With each introduction the crowd broke out with applause and cheers.
Once each tassel-capped grad had made their way to their spots up on stage, it was time to take a quick trip down memory lane. Crozier, along with vice-principal Eric Bouchard and grad class advisor Leslie Currie, took turns to properly introduce each grad鈥攈ighlighting their accomplishments, favourite memories, inside jokes and a few embarrassing moments. As the brief biographies kept rolling, the small class along with most of the audience found themselves laughing and even shed a few tears.
After every grad had been put under the spotlight, the traditional graduation ceremony salutations and greetings began.
The ceremony began with messages from junior president Ethan Morin, senior president Sadie Howe, and grad class representative Morgan MacMahon.
鈥淚 would like to thank the class for making an awesome example for others in the community,鈥澛� MacMahon said.
She went on to congratulate her fellow classmates and wished them all the best in their future endeavours.
The kind words of encouragement for the youths didn鈥檛 stop there, Leslee Jodry of the Grande Yellowhead Public School Division along with West Yellowhead MLA Eric Rosendahl also took to the podium to offer congratulatory speeches.
鈥淭he marks that you have left and the impact of your experiences are what have made you who you are today,鈥� Jodry said. 鈥淗igh school provided you with opportunities to apply yourself, make commitments and begin the journey to become who you are meant to be.鈥�
Although the ceremony is an event to praise the students for all their hard work and future plans, Mayor Richard Ireland reminded the grads not to forget their parents during this exciting time.
鈥淕raduation is a time of intense emotions鈥攈ope, joy, pride, but there鈥檚 also worry, concern, stress, uncertainty and anxiety. There will be tears so grads help your parents through those emotions,鈥� Ireland said. 鈥淩eassure them that they鈥檒l be fine鈥攇ive them a hug and remember despite all those mixed emotions, your parents share with you an overwhelming sense of hope for your future.鈥�
Ireland also reminded the students that no matter where they end up in life, Jasper will always be home.
Rather than telling the students to aim for the stars or that some of them will become hotshot politicians or doctors and lawyers, valedictorian Liam Urie took a different approach to the usual address.
鈥淚f you don鈥檛 end up curing cancer, feeding the poor or creating a renewable energy source, and it turns out you鈥檙e just an average person that works just to pay the bills just to get by, remember that maybe being average is special,鈥� Urie said.聽 鈥淎verage is the parent who diligently drives their child back and forth from school or to the rink or the ski hill. Average is that teacher who taught you to own your own identity.
鈥淭he truth is the world doesn鈥檛 need more Kanye Wests, Kim Kardashians or Donald Trumps. What the world needs now are more average people just like most of you in this room.鈥�
After the final speech had come to a close, it was time to get serious as the first of the class went up to receive his long awaited diploma.
Once the last of the gang had their diploma in hand, students and families watched a slideshow highlighting the lives of the grads from the time they were in diapers to their final days at Jasper Junior/Senior High School.
On Saturday, students traded in their caps and gowns for glamorous dresses and suits for their prom at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge.
Kayla Byrne
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