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Graduating class of 2022 sent off in style

Posted on: Staff Writer

    By Rob Vogt Local Press Writer
    With a Las Vegas theme of “Raising the Stakes” in the background, Willow Creek Composite High School sent off their graduating class of 2022 in style with a weekend ceremony.
    The school welcomed the community for graduation festivities on Saturday, June 4.
    Valedictorian Mya Lobreau talked about the virtue of growing up in a small town and urged her classmates not to forget where they came from.
    “But now it’s our time,” she said, encouraging everyone to live for themselves and make decisions that are going to put them in a place where they can be successful, whatever success means to them.
    “Don’t be afraid to explore it, expand your horizons, and take everything life has to offer. Your futures are ripe and ready for picking.”
    Amy Hamlyn, chair of the grad committee, commended everyone who helped to make the day possible, then turned to her classmates.
    “We’ve made some wicked memories over the years,” she said.
    Teacher Scott Fairs was chosen by the class to offer words of wisdom.
    He offered 10 pieces of advice that he has learned:
    1) Do stuff that scares you. That is, things that make you grow and take you out of your comfort zone.
    2) Travel. The world is much bigger than Claresholm and there is so much to see.
    3) Your parents were right.
    4) Treat your body well. No one is bullet proof.
    5) Say what’s on your mind, especially if it is something nice, because that can really make a person’s day.
    6) Never stop learning, because education is never wasted.
    7) You are not special to 99.9 per cent of the world, but you are irreplaceable and everything to that other 0.1 per cent.
    8) Don’t take life for granted, because you don’t know what the future holds. Appreciate the time you have and the people you meet.
    9) Work hard and be on time.
    10) Do what makes you happy.
    Claresholm Mayor Chelsae Petrovic
    observed she walked across that same stage, with the same theme, on that exact day 15 years ago.
    She said when she was in high school, she was given a lot of “adulting” tips,
    including to do something that will make you successful.
    She alluded to Steve Jobs, founder of Apple, who realized at the end of his life that without his work, he had little joy. All the recognition and success was meaningless because he had little else.
    Petrovic urged grads to be the best friend, neighbour, co-worker, spouse, and parent they could be.
    “Then that is success,” she said.
    The mayor encouraged grads to look for opportunities.
    “Tell yourself no opportunity will be missed,” she said.
    Principal Jackie Kark congratulated grads, noting she had been their principal all through high school.
    “Your high school years were not what you expected,” she said, noting the pandemic had a huge impact.
    Kark encouraged grads to explore, dream, and discover. She urged them to learn who you are, what you want in your life, and what makes you want to learn.
    “You will grow and learn from every
    experience you have,” she said.Trustee Brad Toone, a graduate of the school himself, brought greetings from the school division.
    “You have all overcome so much to get here today,” he said.
    “I want to encourage you to keep pushing yourselves,” he later added, noting everyone was there to support the grads.
    Earl Hemmaway, councillor for the Municipal District of Willow Creek and a grandfather to one of the grads, brought greetings from the M.D.
    “You are on your way to a bright and promising future,” he said.
    “We wish you all the success.”
    MLA Roger Reid is also a graduate of Willow Creek Composite High School, and congratulated grads.
    He stressed the importance of friends, neighbours and the community in their education.
    He urged grads, as they go out into the world, to be a little more kind and a little more gracious than what exists out there today.
    “We could sure use that,” he said.
    Then he turned to parents.
    “This is the first time they will leave,” he said with a smile. “They will be back.”
    MP John Barlow brought greetings from the federal government.
    “I know this has not been an easy time,” he said, but observed how the grads had persevered and stuck together.
    He encouraged them to do what makes them happy but, some time down the road, consider doing one other thing.
    “Take some time to give back to your community,” Barlow said.
    “You are going to have some ups and downs,” he concluded. “Those are the things that make you strong.”
    Several awards were also presented:
    Grad Imagine Award
    • Marlee Martineau and Ashley Rathgeber.
    Amy Berg Jennings Award
    • Mya Lobreau and Logan Read.
    CUPE Local 2133 Scholarship
    • Kenna Demaere and Thaniel Franz.
    Kaye Fisher Scholarship
    • Hera Mackrel and Molly Smeltzer.
    Cairo Lodge Bursary
    • Logan Read.
    Most Credits Award
    • Enya Oldenkamp.
    Ultimate Cobra Award
    • Mya Lobreau.
    Schulich Leader Scholarship
    • Logan Read.
    Dr. Lloyd Cavers Leadership Scholarship
    • Logan Read, the school’s nominee. The winner has not yet been announced.
    Honour grads
    • Eric DePeuter;
    • Nicholas Esparo;
    • Thaniel Franz;
    • Amy Hamlyn;
    • Logan Hemmaway;
    • Tianna Macaulay;
    • Hera Mackrel;
    • Kloe Martin;
    • Marlee Martineau;
    • Jill Nelson;
    • Sierra Nelson;
    • Enya Oldenkamp;
    • Shoshoni
    Peterson-Clements;
    • Ashley Rathgeber;
    • Logan Read;
    • Jeremiah
    Roemmele;
    • Mya Lobreau;
    • Molly Smeltzer;
    • Seth Toone;
    • Haley Vandenberg;
    • Jessica White;
    • Kaitlyn Woodruff.