Wednesday, June 26 will live on in the memories of graduates from Niverville High School (NHS) for decades to come. It’s the day that 72 twelfth-graders donned cap and gown to receive their long-awaited high school diploma.
The school’s gymnasium hummed with anticipation as family, friends, and teachers came together to celebrate the achievements of their graduates.
The convocation was followed by a banquet and safe grad party at the Niverville Heritage Centre.
Three days prior, these graduates paraded through the streets of the community to much fanfare in an autocade that has become a standing tradition for Niverville graduates since COVID-19.
Principal Kimberley Funk opened Wednesday’s convocation with an address to the graduates. She focused on the relevant message held within a children’s picture book entitled The Courage of the Little Hummingbird.
This story revolves around a seemingly insignificant bird who is the only animal brave enough to take action in the face of a great forest fire. Scooping water into its tiny beak from a nearby stream, it works tirelessly to snuff out the massive flames, undaunted by the enormity of the task at hand.
“The book emphasizes things like bravery, resilience, and the importance of individual contributions in the face of overwhelming challenges,” Funk told the students. “With its beautiful illustrations, the story of the little hummingbird encourages children to take action, no matter how small, and to believe in their capacity to make a difference in the world. It’s the perfect story for a time like this.”
Funk encouraged the group to go into the world with courage, taking brave action where required and counting on their efforts to make a powerful difference.
“Your generation is uniquely positioned to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time,” Funk said. “So whether it’s advocating for social justice, protecting the environment, or contributing to your community, you have the potential to be a force for good.”
This year’s valedictorian, selected by his peers, was Jack Grantham. Grantham was also awarded this year’s Governor General’s bronze medal for earning the highest academic average throughout Grades 11 and 12.
From the podium, Grantham shared an anecdote his father had likewise shared with him: “Never do just enough. Always do more than enough.”
“That is the beauty of all the people on this stage with me,” Grantham told his peers. “You all strive for more and strive to do more than just enough. After all, doing more than just enough is where you can find the best parts of life… Contrary to popular opinion, the greatest accomplishment in life is not discovering what you want to be. The true accomplishment is finding out who you want to be. That is doing more than just enough.”
