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Fond farewell at St. Andrew’s Grad
Mac Olsen
for South Peace News
One by one, the soon-to-be graduates entered St. Paul’s Church with their escorts and made their way to the pews at the front for their rite of passage.
St. Andrew’s School held its annual graduation ceremony in the church Aug. 22 and the theme of the event was “Imagine, Achieve and Believe.”
Father Tony Chakkunga led the mass, including a homily and communion. He also encouraged the graduates with wisdom.
“You have the dreams of youth locked in your hearts,” says Father Chakkunga. “You have to spread the love of God.”
Some graduates took turns reading scripture. Christian Collett read Proverbs 4:1-7, April Larose read the responsorial psalm, Daryn Lizotte read Jeremiah 1:4-10, while Meghan Dowsett and Kyle Fox read the prayer of the faithful.
After the mass was over, the graduates departed to attire in regalia for the graduation ceremony. Again, they came in, but this time one by one and to more cheers and applause.
Emcee Dan Gillmor welcomed everyone and said the graduates have completed a long journey through formal education and now they are being sent on their way.
Principal Marc Lamoureux spoke next and praised the teachers and parents for helping to shape the graduates into the people they will become. He also congratulated the graduates and said they could count on their school for support when needed.
Superintendent Betty Turpin spoke next and said the theme is a great one the graduates chose.
Turpin also told them to seek out success in their lives.
“We wish you success and happiness in your lives,” Turpin said.
Board member Carmelle Lizee also spoke. She said their 13 years of education are just the first step in life-long education and offered best wishes to them.
Lesser Slave Lake MLA Pearl Calahasen and High Prairie Town Councillor James Waikle offered their remarks as well, wishing the graduates all the best.
Waikle also encouraged them to return to High Prairie.
Several graduates from the East Prairie and Gift Lake Métis Settlements received sashes. Gerald Cunningham, the president of the Métis Settlements General Council in Edmonton, as well as Hector Lamouche of Gift Lake, presented sashes to Nic Anderson (Gift Lake), Matthew Cunningham (East Prairie), Dalton Howse (East Prairie), Alvin Laderoute (Gift Lake), Hector Lamouche Jr. (Gift Lake) and Micheal Lamouche (Gift Lake).
“The Métis Settlements General Council is proud of its members who are graduating,” says Cunningham.
He was going to present a sash posthumously for Richelle Mearon, but her family did not attend so he will send it to them by other means.
Following the sash presentations, Courtney Lawrence, the new vice-principal for the junior and senior students at St. Andrew’s School, offered her observations, anecdotes and memorable moments about each graduate.
Alyssa Backs, this year’s valedictorian, returned the favour and offered a humorous account of the teachers and fellow graduates. The full text of her speech is found on page 11.
Darrel Laboucan, a graduate of the Class of 2007, was the last to speak.
Laboucan said coming back makes him feel more “immature” than ever. His dream job is being a Phys Ed teacher and he’s completing a post-secondary program. He also offered his own words of wisdom to the graduates.
“Figure out who you are,” says Laboucan.
“You’re going to hit roadblocks … and you’re going to have to get a job,” which drew laughter. “But you have to set a goal and stick it out.”
There was one last touching moment, as the graduates gave roses to the special people in their lives. It’s a long standing tradition for St. Andrew’s School, says Gillmor.
Next, Principal Lamoureux presented the graduates with their diplomas and moved the tassel on their caps from left to right, signifying they official graduation from the school.
Their final moment of glory came when they threw their caps in the air and cheered.
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