Collège Régional Gabrielle-Roy held its graduation exercises on Thursday, June 20, at La Cathédrale de Saint-Boniface in Winnipeg. The Île-des-Chênes school draws French-speaking student from throughout southeastern Manitoba.

This year’s graduating class holds a special distinction this year—with 73 graduates, it’s the largest crop of graduates in the school’s 35-year history.

As is the school’s tradition, two valedictorians were selected to represent the graduating class, Isabelle Balcaen and Katéri Danneels.

“Over the past four years, we, the graduates, have become a family,” said Balcaen. “We are the city-slickers of St. Norbert, the farmers of Ile-des-Chênes, the neighbours of Lorette, and the cool kids of Ste Agathe. Together, we form this dysfunctional family… Every experience we have shared has helped us get to know each other better and has built relationships that we will cherish for the rest of our lives. This much-anticipated event marks the end of this long chapter of our lives and the beginning of a new, equally exciting one.

Their speech also poked some fun at and demonstrated appreciation for the school’s many beloved teachers, then went on to acknowledge the quirks and unique achievements of certain members of the graduating class.

“Despite the numerous obstacles we have had to overcome throughout our journey, we have always been able to count on our teachers,” Danneels said. “Thank you for the stability you have given us throughout this stage of our lives, when we were so unsure of our futures. We owe much of our successes to you.”

Danneels went on to reflect on the meaning of this transitional moment in their lives.

“This marks the beginning of us achieving the dreams we have spent so many years cultivating,” she added. “Welcome to the rest of your lives, graduates of 2019! This is not a time to be afraid, but rather a time to explore new horizons, to question ourselves, and to rise to the challenges we will face. We are our own worst critics and the only ones who can stand in the way of our own success.”

A host of scholarships and bursaries were also announced in which more than $32,000 was disbursed to dozens of students.