Holden Rural Academy Holds Inaugural Graduation

Holden Rural Academy Holds Inaugural Graduation

Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser

Cayden Brisson, Cordell Janzen and Alyssa Zimmer were the first students to ever graduate from Holden Rural Academy on June 8.

The graduation ceremony began shortly after 2 pm in the historic Paragon Theatre with family, friends, schoolmates and community members in attendance.

Principal Brian Dewar welcomed everyone to the celebration. Dewar said, “The best part about our school, and I said it in my June newsletter, it’s not us. It’s not the accolades we get from everyone. It’s the kids out there who pour their heart into that school every day.”

Dewar handed over the microphone to MC’s Grayson Zemlak and Cheyenne Suchy to introduce Holden Rural Academy Board chair Justin Ewasiuk. On behalf of the board I would like to thank everybody for coming out today to celebrate the first grad class in Holden in almost 40 years!

I’m glad that you guys got to experience this new type of education that we’ve brought to Holden and to be the first grad class. You guys are going to be setting the example for everything going forward. So, once again congratulations to the grads of 2023 on behalf of the Holden Rural Academy Board.”

Superintendent Wes Oginski said, “This day would not have been possible without the contributions of so many people. Holden Rural Academy, (HRA) would not be here if not for the hard work and dedication of our founding members and board of directors. Besides developing the framework of our charter, bylaws and policies, they brought in a dedicated group of people whose goal has been to educate each and every child that enters our program.”

Graduates from L-R: Cayden Brisson, Cordell Janzen and Alyssa Zimmer.

(Michelle Pinon/Photo)

Oginiski also commended the teachers, educational assistants, staff and volunteers who all contributed to ensuring students have a “welcoming, caring, respectful safe and healthy learning and work environments.”

He went on to say, “Our students have had opportunities this year to apply their learning to real world situations. It is through this lens, our first group of Grade 12 students have been successful in completing their graduation requirements.

I look at our three graduates and I see our future. These three are brave. They made the decision to leave the traditional school systems and chose HRA as the school they wanted to complete their education. They wanted the opportunity to have opportunities in the community. These young adults are transitioning to new adventures.

Guest speaker Kevin Van Lagen aka Prairie Principal, has turned two rural schools with declining enrolment in east-central Alberta into thriving educational academies specializing in agriculture and baseball in the span of a few short years. It’s not only been a boost for Altario and Consort Schools, but the communities as well.

“I spoke a few years ago in this community when there was talk about shutting down Holden School, and since that time I’ve worked closely with members of your school board in particular to come up with this vision of Holden Rural Academy. So, when I was asked to speak today I felt it an honour and a privilege to be here today.

Graduates this is a milestone for you. This day is really about you and celebrating you. Sometimes at small graduations people start to roast the graduates a little, but what we’re really talking about as Wes mentioned is how special you are, how brave you are, what sets you apart; and I want to leave you with just three words of advice that I think encapsulate probably who you are. It shows what this school is and what this community is.

First of all, good enough is never good enough, and I think your community and your parents decided that some time ago when they set on this journey of bravely or crazily starting this school

Secondly, I’d like to say to you that there is joy in giving…. Give back to this community, and whatever community eventually becomes your home. If we all give in our communities we have a better place to live and we have a better sense of purpose, especially in rural communities that we live in.

And finally, I’d like to say that responsibility is a privilege. We often talk about rights being a privilege, but I believe responsibility is also a privilege…So, enjoy the responsibility of life.”

Teacher Nikayla Keohane addressed her graduating class. Keohane said it had been a “pleasure and a privilege’ to be their teacher and get to know each of the graduates.

“It’s true that my colleagues and I have been tough with you at times when it comes to deadlines and expectations, but this was all part of a larger effort to prepare you for the greater challenges that lie ahead, and to nurture you into building a strong foundation for your futures. Under the guidance of your parents and teachers, you have reach this impressive milestone in your life with great honour and integrity.

I can only hope that you continue to rise to the challenges of adulthood that lie ahead with the kind of positive attitudes that you have shown me this year and that you look back on this year with great fondness of the memories we as a community share.”

Valedictorian Alyssa Zimmer then delivered her address. “Approximately, 13 years or 2,430 days or 56,160 hours is how long ago our school careers started. All that time, but it only felt like one minute. One minute until classes are over. One minute until practice is done. One minute until we leave the school. One minute.

We are always rushing and waiting until time is up. One year left before graduation turns into one semester which turns into one month and eventually one week. Next thing we know it’s the morning of and we’re getting ready to head to school. No one see’s it coming until it hits you. One minute until we never have to set foot in high school again. All that wishing just to be like the big kids and finally be able to graduate. I wish I was still that little kid watching the big kids walk down the halls to the next class or watch them leave the school to go to work. Standing here realizing that now I’m that big kid all the little kids watch wishing that they could be. Everyone always say high school flies by in the blink of an eye and I never realized how true that was until now standing in front of all of you.”

Zimmer provided a detailed overview of her high school years and wish she had one more minute to enjoy things like walking the halls or driving around town with her friends at lunchtime. “Never have I wished more that I could go back in time and tell myself there’s no rush take your time be a kid cause one day you’re going to look back and wish time hadn’t gone so fast.”

She wished her two classmates all the best. “I hope you never forget this school and how much it and the people within its walls have helped us. I’m so glad I get to have the two of you as classmates, even if it was just for one year.”

Principal Brian Dewar shakes Cordell Janzen’s hand. Looking on is teacher Carmen Nicholson.

(Michelle Pinon/Photo)

Zimmer expressed her appreciation to the board, parents, superintendent, principal, fellow students and community for working so hard to open HRA and have a successful school year.

Even though it only feels like it’s only been a minute, I think I speak for all three of us when I say this has been my favourite school, with my favourite people, my favourite teachers and the coolest principal. Thank you to all my friends and classmates for making this year one to remember. We maybe a small class, but we are proud to be the first graduating class of Holden Rural Academy. Be bold. Be courageous. Be your best.”

Zimmer’s mom Lee-Ann provided the response on behalf of the parents. “Be bold. Be courageous. Be your best. Which is a fitting theme for the first graduating class of Holden Rural Academy. It took a bold, courageous be your best group of people to take an idea and turn it into the reality of Holden Rural Academy. Thank you to all of those involved in that endeavour.

And for Alyssa, it does feel like just a minute ago you were starting pre-school and we blinked and here you are graduating this school. Congratulations to the three of you as you all took a bold step attending this school for your Grade 12 year. We hope you continue to be bold and courageous and take on new challenges in the next chapter of your lives. As parents we only want you to find your happy and create your best self. Be bold. Be courageous. Be your best. Congratulations Holden Rural Academy Class of 2023.”

Principal Brian Dewar.

(Michelle Pinon/Photo)

Following the ceremony, Principal Dewar talked about the graduates, their special qualities and their plans for the future. Overall, Dewar said the school year has been great. “We’ve had great support from every community. You can go to Mundare, Vegreville, Viking, Bruce, Daysland, Ryley, Tofield, Lindbrook and Holden.”

Enrolment continues to grow, and Dewar said they will be adding a bus to serve the areas of Vegreville and Mundare. We got a couple more calls from the Bruce area, and two new students from Daysland this morning.”

There are many things that set HRA apart and even in such a small span of time it is proving to be one of rural Alberta’s greatest success stories yet.

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