GRAD 2021 DELTA SECONDARY SCHOOL
+ SOUTH DELTA SECONDARY SCHOOL
CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2021 FROM THE DELTA BOARD OF EDUCATION
SOUTH DELTA SECONDARY
W
e are extremely proud of your accomplishments and we hope you also look back at your success in the face of adversity with great pride. You can certainly lay claim to having achieved the significant milestone of graduation in the most unusual and stressful of circumstances. We raise our hands in respect to you! Although graduation may look different from what you had anticipated, we hope you find special ways to celebrate your accomplishments safely with those who love you and who have supported you on your journey through high school. On behalf of the Board of Education, we would like to thank each of you for the passion, commitment and pride you have brought to the Delta School District and your school community. You have lived our values of caring, respect, responsibility, community and excellence during your school years in Delta. Wherever you are headed, have faith in how far you can go and please accept our very best wishes for a happy, healthy and fulfilling future!
Back row, left to right: Daniel Boisvert, Vice-Chair and Board Liaison for North Delta Secondary; Jessie Dosanjh, Trustee and Board Liaison for Delview Secondary; Val Windsor, Chair and Board Liaison for Sands Secondary; Bruce Reid, Trustee and Board Liaison for Seaquam Secondary; Nick Kanakos, Trustee and Board Liaison for Burnsview Secondary Front row, left to right: Erica Beard, Trustee and Board Liaison for Delta Secondary; Laura Dixon, Trustee and Board Liaison for South Delta Secondary
2021 HIGHLIGHTS Over the course of my five years at SDSS, I have seen my fellow students do many wonderful things for members of our community. Regardless of who you are, this past year has presented a unique set of challenges. Whether you are someone who now works from home, or lost your job, or attended university from your bedroom or had to postpone a planned trip or perhaps became ill, the COVID-era has certainly left its imprint. Rather than focus on the challenges we’ve each faced, I have chosen to highlight a more positive theme which has come to light during this time. Students at SDSS have consistently risen to face this pandemic. COVID has stung and it has hurt, but in an odd way it has become part of our identity. Despite having to cancel many trips abroad, band and choir competitions, live theatrical presentations and, of course, defend the many sporting titles which have been a hallmark of the school, we have come together as a group. How? …by unifying as one….by reflecting and understanding that while individuality is important, we are better served by the greater good. Namely, the need to protect family members, friends, neighbours and our community. This was exemplified at Christmas when students started an organization called “Kindred Spirits” aimed to assist KinVillage Seniors, or when students eagerly volunteered to collect food, water and clothing to help support the homeless within our own community.
This is not to say that previous graduating classes didn’t take time to help others (because they did) but this year has been different. COVID has been the elephant in EVERY room. It has shaken each of us. It has forced us to take stock in ourselves and, as students, we have become resilient. We have found new ways to stay connected and be heard. Who knew we would all become Zoom aficionados? Who knew we could put on the fantastic theatrical production of “Mamma Mia” in a safe and responsible manner? The list goes on. We did not let COVID ruin our graduation year! This past year has been important to us all. As a graduation class, I think we have an improved sense of self, a unique bond and a stronger sense of unification. We re-kindled our need to care for others. This is seen by the many acts of kindness that have swept through our community. COVID created the problem but upon reflection we collectively rose to overcome it. 2020/2021 has been a rough period and my fellow classmates will certainly have no problem recalling this time in fifty years. Clearly, no one wanted to face this pandemic BUT there is no turning back the clock. This time and its memories are locked into our fabric… forever. We have looked after ourselves, our families, our friends and our cherished community. I am very proud of these moments and I am a proud graduate of the Class of 2021. ~ Noah Klassen, Grade 12
SDSS FASHION SHOW
A NOTE FROM PRINCIPAL TERRY AINGE
T
he last 15 months of your K-12 education have been challenging … we have experienced fear, confusion, frustration, grief, anxiety and loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our world has had to make adjustments that could never have been imagined. All of us have had to adapt to the uncertainty of living during a pandemic.
MAMA M
C
IA T H E MU
T RY H EM IS
FU N
S ICA L
D EC K T H E HA LLS
You will forever be “that graduating class”. The class that missed events such as dinners, dances, sports and so many of the experiences that are a part of the SDSS fabric. And you did so without complaint. You carried yourselves with a maturity and compassion for the health and safety of your families and your community. In the future, I know what I will be saying when those around me begin to complain, or say things like “this is too hard”- or “we can’t do that”. I will say, “Well let me tell you about the SDSS Class of 2021… They were a class that was resilient, tenacious, creative and resourceful, a class that began the change in our world and they could handle anything that was thrown their way, even a pandemic.”
SDSS I NT RA M U RA LS
SE N IOR A RT
Through it all, you have demonstrated your resilience, adaptability, cooperation and selflessness. For that, all of us are incredibly grateful.
Throughout your time at SDSS, I’ve asked that we work together so that each of you will cross the stage at graduation with a sense of pride and a sense of purpose. I believe that together, with the support of your teachers, classmates and parents, you have achieved this. As you walk across the stage to graduate this month, take pride in being the best version of yourself and leave knowing that you are poised and ready to deliver your best to the future.
G RAD C LOT H I N G DRI V E
~ Mr. Terry Ainge, Principal South Delta Secondary School
A LIG HT WOR KOU T
CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2021 FROM THE DELTA BOARD OF EDUCATION
DELTA SECONDARY SCHOOL
W
e are extremely proud of your accomplishments and we hope you also look back at your success in the face of adversity with great pride. You can certainly lay claim to having achieved the significant milestone of graduation in the most unusual and stressful of circumstances. We raise our hands in respect to you! Although graduation may look different from what you had anticipated, we hope you find special ways to celebrate your accomplishments safely with those who love you and who have supported you on your journey through high school. On behalf of the Board of Education, we would like to thank each of you for the passion, commitment and pride you have brought to the Delta School District and your school community. You have lived our values of caring, respect, responsibility, community and excellence during your school years in Delta. Wherever you are headed, have faith in how far you can go and please accept our very best wishes for a happy, healthy and fulfilling future!
WEEK SPI RIT 2021
Back row, left to right: Daniel Boisvert, Vice-Chair and Board Liaison for North Delta Secondary; Jessie Dosanjh, Trustee and Board Liaison for Delview Secondary; Val Windsor, Chair and Board Liaison for Sands Secondary; Bruce Reid, Trustee and Board Liaison for Seaquam Secondary; Nick Kanakos, Trustee and Board Liaison for Burnsview Secondary Front row, left to right: Erica Beard, Trustee and Board Liaison for Delta Secondary; Laura Dixon, Trustee and Board Liaison for South Delta Secondary
2021 HIGHLIGHTS Delta Secondary School’s 2021 grad class had an unprecedented year to say the least. It’s been a challenging year which has forced our grad class to think creatively and outside of the box. The biggest way the 2021 grad class came together was through social media, more specifically through the 2021 grad Facebook page. Our entire grad class had the opportunity to join in, post, comment, and share their thoughts and ideas. Moreover, in late October we were allowed to start clubs up again at DSS and the 2021 Grad Council was formed. This led to the first planned grad class event, which was a bottle drive, followed by two more bottle drives that have been highly successful, and allowed our grad class to come together in a way we hadn’t done since the previous year.
Without a doubt the biggest highlight from this year so far has been grad tag. You may have seen grads around town wearing or holding strange items such as water wings, melons and stuffed animals, or witnessed a grad being shot with a water gun. All of this has been a part of the months-long grad tag game. We are looking forward to hopefully being able to celebrate together sometime in June at grad and dry grad if possible. Although restrictions hindered the 2021 grad class from doing most of the traditions and events that previous years enjoyed, it created a sense of solidarity between each grad, leading us to be united in a way possibly no other grad class has. ~ Olivia and Adam McKenna, Vice President and President of DSS 2021 Grad Council
C H R ISTM A
S
HA LLOW E E
A NOTE FROM PRINCIPAL JOHN PAVÃO
N
I V I NG S OF G
Y 20 DA
Over your five years, you have personified what it means to be a Pacer—Participate, Achieve, Care, Explore and Respect. As a graduating class you have demonstrated initiative, creativity, knowledge, talent and compassion as well as being incredibly articulate and resilient. You have strived for excellence in the classroom, on the playing field, in the theatre and in our community. I have been impressed with your responsibility, respect and commitment that you have shown all members of our school community. Each day, you have reminded me of how amazing of a group you are and why Delta Secondary is such an amazing school community.
PET PORT RA I TS
This year was also an unprecedented one because of the COVID-19 pandemic. An event that will live forever in the history books. When future generations look back and inquire my hope is that you will share all the positive takeaways that came from this pandemic; the importance of family and friends to guide us through those difficult times, the appreciation for the little things and the beauty of our local neighbourhoods, and the realized belief that as a collective, cohesive group, we can make a difference together.
G RAD F R IE NDS
S PA N ISH C LASS
C
ongratulations to the Graduating Class of 2021 and the successful completion of your fiveyear journey at Delta Secondary. I am excited for the many new, exciting challenges and adventures that await you. Your future holds endless possibilities and you can accomplish anything you set your mind to—the world is ready for you to make your mark on it.
G RAD TAG
Spirit Week: The Student Council’s Spirit Weeks had Pacers dressed up for twin day, tacky tourist day and much more! Christmas: Santa and Cecil spread holiday cheer at the front doors! Halloween: Not even COVID can stop the Pacers from celebrating Halloween! Pet Portraits: Grad Evan Neaves and his brother pose with their pet for our annual Pet Portraits! 20 Days of Giving: Grade 12 members of the Interact Club collect donations for the 20 Days of Giving Event. Grad Friends: Grad friend groups pose for a special socially distanced Yearbook photoshoot! Spanish Class: Ms. Munn’s grade 12 Spanish class getting some fresh air! Grad Tag: Grads went all out with their safety items during the annual Grad Tag battle!
It has been my pleasure to work, learn and serve as your administrator over these past five years. On behalf of all the staff, I extend my best wishes to all of you. Congratulations Class of 2021! ~ Mr. John Pavão, Principal Delta Secondary School