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Vol.2,8,Tuesday, No. 29 Tuesday, June8,25, 2013 Vol. 7, No. November 2011
Andrew grad 2013 The End Is But A Beginning Jazmine Inkster Student Reporter
Though the 2013 grad class of Andrew was small in numbers, their dreams and plans for the future were greatly visible. This year nine graduates were able to walk through the doors of their school for one of the last times on Saturday, June 22, and to truly begin the rest of their lives, moving along with their theme that “The end, is but a beginning.” The night's exercises were kicked off by an invocation by Father Benny Ambrosie, who told the students to remember what their own personal story is. He explained that without their story, they will have no way of knowing where you are going, or even when you get there. "Your life from now, today, will begin to tell your story," said Ambrosie. "As you begin to live your life your way, remember it can be a spiritual one" He left the grads with a Spanish blessing that translated to "from today, go with God." Trustee Colleen Lopushinsky explained to the graduates that their lives now were like open pages just waiting to be written. She said to the students that their grad was a beginning. “Absolutely it is an end to something,” she said. "I could tell you what it is an end to," but it is also the beginning of a new chapter for each of you. Lopushinskys message was one of optimism and new starts, but it was also one of perseverence. "Don’t give up until you are happy with how the chapter ends," rest assured though; she added, there will always be a new one waiting to be written. Elk Island Public Schools Superintendent Bruce Beliveau told the students how he saw in their faces the resiliency that would help create the future. Then he reminesced through the world events that had happened throughout the students’ lives. "Grads, you are much the product of resiliency," said Beliveau. He also added that in the grads, he saw the strength and hope that is our future. Sharon McLean then said a few words to the students about her experiences being the principal of the school and watching them grow from children to
DENISE DORLAND PICTURE
Andrew Grads of 2013 L-R Back: Mitchell Byrne, Blaine Hrehorets, Kyle Smilar, Tanner Hennig, Braydon Bryks, Zachary Kroetsch. Front: Nicole Loewen, Ashley Fesyk, Cindy Lewis. MLA Jacquie Fenske took time to tell the students adults. She explained how much of an emotional time this was for her, considering the first class that to live their lives wholeheartedly, and to remember to she had taught had graduated just a couple of weeks reflect on their accomplishments. "When you do ago. "We don’t often stop and give in words the something, do it with all your might," added Fenske. respect and attention they deserve," added McLean. "Stamp it with your personality." Fenske also reminded the students to always This is especially true of the words "life is a gift." She stressed to the students that they needed to take the remember where they came from; to remember time to stop and appreciate the little gifts that life Andrew, as well as the fact that they are Albertans bestows upon us. "We must stop and enjoy the through and through. Fenske was also able to hand out the Premier’s moment." McLean spoke to each individual student with her Citizenship Award to class valedictorian Braydon favourite memories when teaching them, and Bryks, who told his fellow classmates to never reminded the students to always be true to them- believe the bar is set too high and embrace life for all selves. "What sometimes holds us back in life is fear, it has to offer. "Do not be afraid of this long road. Take life as which keeps us in our comfort zone." The biggest risk something new, embrace the opportunity," he said. in life, added McLean “is not taking any.”