GRAD 2023

Good evening graduates, families, friends, educators, and community members. My name is Lily Thompson and I have the honor and privilege tonight to be valedictorian for the graduating class of 2023. Before I start, I would like to describe the group of teenagers I will be talking about tonight. They are fun, resilient, adaptive people that I am proud to call my friends. These kids are an exquisite representation of the quote “It always seems impossible until it’s done”.

Our stories all converge in the MSS gym on the first day of grade 8. We stood in the bleachers following Mrs. Thompson as she led us through Waddilliacha. The next day we were in 1 of 5 classrooms with a designated color as our homeroom. Red with Ms. Cardinal, Yellow with Mr. Finch, Green with Mr. Reynaud, Blue with Mrs. Thompson, and finally Purple with Ms. Shea. In these homerooms we learned, laughed, and became a new community. This was the beginning of our high school journey. We competed in battle of the grades with Nate singing a rendition of “Shake it off” and joined sports teams that took us away overnight for tournaments. We wrapped up grade 8 by heading off to Camp Tulahead dressing up in our cabin groups, dancing by the campfire, roasting marshmallows, and the teachers, and playing night games. This was us back in 2019.

From 2020 on, our school lives became a blur. We received an extended spring break that turned into optional classes you could attend online in bed. The next September the school opened, and we had our people again for 22-day classes. We started our grade 11 crossing our fingers hoping the school year would be normal. We made it until November when the triple atmospheric river sent us packing again. Thankfully NVIT welcomed the grade 11s and 12s opening the building for our students and teachers. After Christmas break the school district provided us with 3 locations until we were all able to return to MSS in April. Once we were all back within the MSS walls, everything started to look up and soon after it brought us to our final year of high school as grade 12s.

As Seniors we began to make our final year count. We started by winning battle of the grades for the first time, giving us the victory, we longed for, for 4 years. Next was tubing at Harper Mountain, getting outside with friends for our last winter season together. Then we competed in the annual Hunger games, trying our best to survive and eliminate our competition. Most recently we attended the grad sleepover where we completed a scavenger hunt, made a chopped style dinner, answered trivia, played real life among us, and stayed up way too late enjoying the time with each other. This is who we have become in 2023.

Now this is where each of us continue our stories but have our own adventures. We diverge on our own paths making a life for ourselves while never forgetting where we came from and who got us here. We can take a gap year perhaps to travel, go to a university across the country, or stay close to home, regardless of distance we will still be connected by our years together and the friendships we have built.

What we must do now as our new adventures begin is show the world who we are. How incredibly strong, determined, and brilliant each of us can be no matter the circumstances and adversity we face. During our high school career each year seemed impossible to conquer and overcome but we persevered becoming those who can do the impossible. My friends and classmates, we have now graduated!

The Nicola Valley & District Metis Society would like to congratulate the 2023 Metis grads and all grads that received their graduating diplomas. Your Metis community shares your families’ pride in your hard work and accomplishment. WE KNOW YOU WILL MAKE YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE.

May your future be bright and prosperous