Members of the Class of 2024 at F.P. Walshe school toss their caps into the air at the conclusion of Saturday’s cap and gown ceremony.
Fort Macleod gathered Saturday to celebrate the Class of 2024 at F.P. Walshe school.
Friends and family members packed the school gymnasium for the traditional cap and gown ceremony.
Teacher Danica Chabot greeted the audience and gave the land acknowledgement to begin the ceremony.
Elder Joe Eagle Tail Feathers provided the blessing, asking that everyone present have a long, healthy life, good fortune and prosperity.
“It is a big day,” Eagle Tail Feathers said. “It is a special day to see our young people take another step in life.”
Coun. Mackenzie Hengerer brought greetings on behalf of the Town of Fort Macleod and presented the leadership scholarship to Cordelia Yip.
MD of Willow Creek Reeve Maryanne Sandberg brought greetings on behalf of her council, noting the day was extra special for her with her grandson among the graduates.
“You look back and wonder where the time went,” Sandberg said, reflecting the feelings of many parents and grandparents in the audience.
Sandberg congratulated the Class of 2024 for completing this part of their education.
“This is one chapter that you have completed,” Sandberg said. “There are going to be many more.”
Sandberg urged the grads to find their purpose and passion in life, not be afraid to fail, and to be responsible and respectful.
“Believe in yourself, as we do,” Sandberg said.
Livingstone-Macleod MLA Chelsae Petrovic told the grads the world they are entering is unlike any their grandparents or parents have experienced.
Although the Internet and search engines put information at their fingertips, Petrovic told the grads not to discount the experience and advice of their elders.
“Having someone in your corner who genuinely cares about you and your best interests is invaluable,” Petrovic said.
Floyd Big Head brought greetings on behalf of Blood Tribe chief and council, encouraging the grads to be ambitious.
“It’s always good to set your goals high,” Big Head said.
Piikani Chief Troy Knowlton, who attended F.P. Walshe school, told the students to live their lives to the fullest and always maintain a positive attitude.
“It’s attitude that is going to open doors for you,” Knowlton said, adding, “If you have it in you to dream, you have it in you to succeed.”
Joel Gamache, representing the Red River Michif of the Metis Nation, presented a sash to grad Logan Dressler.
“Our sash is a symbol of our people,” Gamache said.
School Board vice-chair Lacey Poytress and associate superintendent Jeff Perry represented Livingstone Range School Division.
Principal Chad Jensen said the Class of 2024 remind him of another team of winners, seizing the moment to pull on the jersey of his favourite hockey team, the Edmonton Oilers.
Jensen told the grads to remember the people who form the support system that helped them reach graduation, including their parents, family members, classmates and school staff.
“It’s been a pleasure to get to know all of you,” Jensen told the grads, urging them to come back and visit.
Former F.P. Walshe assistant principal Mary Krizan spoke of the pressure she felt leaving a school where she had taught for 29 years to become assistant principal at F.P. Walshe.
The situation was made more challenging by the COVID-19 pandemic, which kept students and parents away from the school.
“Once students came back you made it okay,” Krizan said. “You welcomed me and it was fun to get to know you.”
Krizan shared a remembrance of each member of the grad class, and said she was delighted to be asked to speak at grad.
“This milestone, high school graduation, although important, will, and should, pale in comparison to so many other experiences in your life,” Krizan said. “Although high school is done, you are not.”
Krizan told the grads that everyone is excited to see what they accomplish in their lives after high school.
“I wish you happiness and joy for all your lives,” Krizan said.
Following the valedictory address by Daniel Choi, academic awards were presented, followed by the 45 grads accepting their diplomas.
Chris Crow Shoe and Marcus Healy performed an honour songs to close the ceremony, and the grads gathered on the back lawn for the traditional cap toss.
