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VCHS Graduation Ceremony
VCHS Graduation Ceremony
Vegreville Composite High School - Submitted
Vegreville Composite High School Graduation Ceremony was held on May 25 in the school gymnasium. A total of 500 people were in attendance, including dignitaries, staff, parents, families and friends. There were 57 graduates, and the ceremony began with the graduates highlighted one by one on stage prior to the formal speeches.
Graduates Hunter Dunn and Florence Pasay delivered the tribute to staff. They stated, “On behalf of the graduating class of 2024, we would like to extend our thanks to the staff of Vegreville Composite High School for their dedication to preparing us for the future, both academically and beyond.
You have inspired and motivated us to become empathetic and productive members of society as well as teaching us the skills we will need to do so. You taught us more than logarithms or mitosis or Shakespearean tragedy or supply side economics, you taught us how to observe the world critically, solve problems, be leaders, and work as a team, whether we realized it at the time or not. You have also been an incredible inspiration outside of the classroom, volunteering your lunch breaks, evenings and weekends to make sure we have access to extracurricular activities.
Your unwavering belief in us, even during our most questionable moments, has been nothing short of miraculous. Thanks to your relentless determination and seemingly infinite patience, we’ve learned that facing challenges head on is much more interesting than pretending they aren’t there at all.
Your dedication to this community and its youth have not gone unnoticed. You have been a model of kindness, empathy and endless patience. Characteristics that doubtlessly contributed to my (Florence) own aspirations to be a teacher. I(Florence) hope to one day be able to inspire and motivate my students in the same way.”
Teachers Anthony Bienvenue and Kendall Warawa responded, “Just as atoms bond to create molecules, your friendships and bonds have grown stronger and changed over the years. We've laughed together, cried together, and supported each other through it all. And just as chemical reactions produce new substances, your experiences and interactions have shaped you into the individuals that you are today.
But your journey doesn't end here. In fact, it's only just beginning. Like cells dividing and multiplying, you will continue to grow and evolve, pursuing your dreams and aspirations with passion and determination. And just as enzymes catalyze reactions, you will serve as catalysts for the change in the world around us, using your knowledge and skills to make a positive impact wherever you go.
All of your hard work, commitment, empathy, and enthusiasm that empowered you to get here today is worth celebrating and will continue to serve you well in your future. The staff here and years past, thank you for contributing your unique cultures, perspectives, passions, skills, sense of humor, and all the memories to VCHS. Graduating students, it has been an honour to be your teachers; to support and facilitate your education, has been rewarding.”Graduates Dahlia Gladys and Kyla Jenson presented the tribute to parents and families. “Today we want to recognize everyone who played a part in getting us to where we are today.
The people in our lives define who we are and influence us from the beginning. From watching us take our first steps, to watching us walk down this stage today, loved ones have been there. Today is one of the biggest milestones in our lives and to have the people who love and support us here to celebrate makes it so much more valuable.
Words cannot describe how grateful we are to have reached this point with constant support. This day marks more than the end of high school, but also the beginning of the rest of our lives. All those hours spent studying and stressing, will finally pay off when we turn our tassel.
We are so proud to be sharing this moment with all of you. We could not think of a better class to be graduating with. Each and every one of us is opening a new chapter in our lives today and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for all of you. We will see you on Monday and hopefully at the ten year reunion.”
Parent Michelle Gladys replied “It’s been an incredible journey to get here today, from the first days when you were a baby, to a tenacious toddler, to a carefree, curious child, to the transformative teenage years…and now onto an independent young adult. As a parent standing before you, I feel a mix of emotions – pride, joy, nostalgia, and excitement for what lies ahead.
Life will present you with challenges, but it’s important to remember that you are never alone. Your family, friends, & teachers believe in you and will be there to support you every step of the way. Don’t be afraid to lean on them, to seek advice, and to ask for help when you need it.
A few final words of advice cited by Brian Feroldi… invest early, network with successful people, never stop learning and think like an entrepreneur.”
Elk Island Public Schools Trustee Randy Footz, Deputy Mayor David Berry, and Associate Superintendent Ryan Marshall brought words of congratulations to the Grad class of 2024.
