For the second year in a row, the Niverville High School marked its year-end convocation under sunny June skies. Once again, public health orders forced students and staff to curtail the usual indoor celebrations in favour of a socially distanced curbside event in the parking lot.
Four rows of cars packed into the lot on June 23, each carrying a graduate and their friends and family. In total, 70 grads were on hand to cross the finish line on their high school careers.
“This is a very proud moment for our graduates, and of course their parents,” said Principal Kimberley Funk in opening the ceremony. “It is a time to reflect on the years gone by and celebrate the accomplishments of these young men and women.”
After these introductory remarks, it didn’t take long to acknowledge the pandemic and its role in shaping the events of the last year and a half, especially in regards to the graduates’ senior year and the victory lap that never really materialized for them.
“This past year alone has been one of tremendous change,” said Funk. “The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how we work, learn, and interact with each other. Our way of life has changed dramatically. Sometimes change is easy and exciting. Sometimes it’s difficult and unsettling. Each person handles change differently, but I think we’d all agree that this year was hard… What’s important about change is how we anticipate it and react to it. Life is not always rainbows and ice caps. There may be times when change will make things tough. You’ll hit a bump in the road, or you might even drive right off the road and land in the weeds. If you find yourself in a situation when nothing seems to be going as planned, I encourage you to dig deep—persevere—and find the strength to come out on top. I am confident in your ability to do that.”
Next up, local school board trustee Carisa Klassen offered some remarks by way of a pre-recorded video message.
“First and foremost, congratulations to all of you on this accomplishment of transforming your hard work into one of life’s most memorable milestones,” Klassen began. “This is just the beginning of an exciting journey ahead… Students, this year’s graduation ceremony and celebratory festivities are less than ideal, and for obvious reasons. COVID-19 has drastically the nature of our relationships—specifically, its restrictions on being together. It has affected our school culture, and taken away some depth of learning and collaboration. Ultimately, it has transformed the way we do everyday things. But this journey has been about much more than the final destination. You, graduates, have displayed character in your attitudes towards completing your high school. Perhaps you’ve learned the meaning of self-care. Or how to manage solitary activities. Or did you learn a little more grace and understanding for others? Have you learned never to take freedoms or loved ones for granted? Have you learned to reflect on your value and your self-worth? Today we celebrate each one of you has been successful in your educational undertaking.”
Valedictorian Dorian Englisbee also struck a thoughtful chord.
“Throughout the last few years, I have seen us all grow as people,” said Englisbee. “I’ve watched as we all figure out who we are, as well as what we want to do in life, and how we want to move on in the future. I’ve watched as we have changed from immature children, to immature adults. To be able to watch those you care about grow and change is one of the things that not enough people cherish and is something that makes life beautiful.”
Englisbee went on to pay homage to the relationship the graduating class had with the many teachers who made such a large impact on them, especially in their senior year. In the process, he succeeded in lightening the mood.
“We see our teachers almost as much as we see each other, and even though they are the authority figures in the relationship, it still ends up feeling like they are our friends and people we can talk to and rely on,” he said. “Like if we are in ELA and someone drops something, we all look over in anticipation for the inevitable ‘You dropped that’ from Mr. Dombrosky. Or the playful yelling of Mr. Mehling that always ends up scaring people. Or the amazing dad jokes told by Mr. Toews. Even to the snappy remarks of Mr. Clark, he has always been quick and witty. Also the way Mr. Limpright is constantly supporting and helping out with all school sports in whatever way possible. We would even have our own banter in some peoples’ classes, like when Mrs. Happychuk would turn up the Backstreet Boys and everyone would sing along.”
After the speeches, the grads were shown a montage of pictures from the previous year, including from photo shoots of them in formalwear.
Following the handing out of diplomas, the grads returned to their vehicles and participated in a parade through Niverville. Residents came out in significant numbers to cheer them on as they passed.
A few final words from Dorian Englisbee: “Before I leave, I hope that whatever direction life takes us, our paths will cross again. I hope we all achieve the hopes and dreams we have been working towards, and will continue to work towards. I hope that the relationships we form from this moment on are as joyful, meaningful, and caring as the ones that we have shared during our time together. Graduates of 2021, congratulations. Thank you and I wish you all the best wherever life takes you.”