St. Mary’s Catholic School Holds Graduation Celebration

St. Mary’s Catholic School Holds Graduation Celebration

Michelle Pinon News Advertiser

Shortly before 1 pm on Thursday, May 22 graduates and family members began arriving in vehicles in the parking lot of St. Mary’s School. Staff were busy making sure everything and everyone were in their places for the special celebration.

The sky was heavily laden with dark clouds, but just before the procession began, a ray of sunlight briefly appeared, before disappearing again. It was windy and chilly at five degrees Celsius. Spirits were bright, however, when the event got underway.

After a brief welcoming address by Principal Jim Salsbury, Assistant Principal Scott Walker recited a prayer. Walker stated, “God of love and hope, May 22nd was to be the graduation day of our St. Mary’s Grade 12’s, but because of COVID, like the whole world we were forced to make other plans. So today, we pray for our Grade 12 students and lift them up before you as we seek to recognize them and this day in a meaningful way. We thank you so much for each one of them, and for the work You are continuing to do in their lives after graduation.

We ask that You make their way in life clear to them. We ask that You keep their footsteps firm and remind them that You are with them, always and everywhere. May they sense the freshness of your Holy Spirit over their lives in amazing ways. May they be strengthened and instilled with hope for the new roads You have in store for them.”

Principal Salsbury’s message stated, “As your thoughts think to the future, you might ponder the uncertainty of things. You might feel lost and upset. But hear these words, this pandemic will not be the obstacle that stands before you and your dreams, the shrinking of the curve will happen and your lives will slowly get better. Two months of remote learning has not ruined your whole education.

They say that you are a collection of your past experiences. Decisions that you have made in your past is what shapes you and molds you into what you are today. Continue to make more memories and live those experiences to the fullest.

Graduation is not defined by a cap or a gown. Graduation is defined by your character. To seize the moment and be willing to take that next step, to take chances, and to be authentic witnesses to God’s blessing in your life. So whatever graduation means to each of you personally, know that St. Mary’s believes in you. Know that God loved us first, last, and always, and that in that love all things are possible.”

All of the staff then raised their hands in a traditional blessing to the graduates. After the name of each graduate was called they and their families made their way from their vehicle and walked down the main sidewalk to receive a gift bag and miniature rose from Walker and Salsbury, before having photographs taken with family members.

Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk, MLA for Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville, not only represented her constituency, but attended as the mother of graduate Jacklyn Homeniuk, along with her husband and son.

Armstrong-Homeniuk said it was very nice of the teachers and staff to recognize the graduates with a ceremony and that it would serve as a really good memory for years to come.

Even though the graduates could not have their formal graduation ceremony, several expressed their gratitude to the staff who put on the celebration, added Armstrong-Homeniuk.

Tim MacPhee, Mayor of the Town of Vegreville, said, “I was happy to see that they had some sort of recognition at the school for them. I know it can’t be an easy time for those kids, what their expectations were, but the ones that I did talk to said it was better than nothing, and they’re keeping a positive attitude.”

Graduation Co-ordinator Kelli Giebelhaus and Co-Co-ordinator Margaret Michaelchuk worked many hours to make the vision of the celebration come to life. “We had seen some great ideas from other schools in the United States in terms of decor, etc, but we really wanted to take elements from what we had discussed with the students in terms of their decorating vision, in combination with providing them each with a moment to walk ‘the stage’ and have their names announced as they would have in our original plan.”

Part of the original plan included a mass at St. Martin’s Church on May 19. “We were very fortunate that Father Vu, from St. Martin’s Parish, was still very willing to lead a graduation mass for our students on the morning of May 22; students, families and staff were able to attend mass virtually through YouTube.”

Normally the school has a traditional banquet and reception at the social centre, complete with speeches and formal recognition of the graduates. Giebelhaus said, “We are optimistic that we will be able to fully recognize our graduates to this degree once the chief health officer deems it safe to do so as this would be deemed a mass gathering

I also want to congratulate our Valedictorian, Sarah Breitkreuz on her incredible academic portfolio, and our Salutatorian, Alexis Salsbury for all of her commendable community work.” She described the Class of 2020 as determined and full of personality. “They have worked very hard and matured into wonderful young adults.They have experienced something like no other class before and have come out stronger.”

Giebelhaus is hoping the students will continue to stay connected and practice gratitude for what they do have. “Your faith will guide you to exactly where you are supposed to be.”

She also wanted to recognized the hard work and teamwork of her colleagues. “Finally, what made the day run smoothly was the teamwork of our staff. Everyone knew how emotional this day would be for them. The positivity and benevolence of the staff taking care of a vast array of different tasks was greatly appreciated.”

She also thanked the sponsors who donated a variety of items including: a congratulatory message on the town’s information board, the large grad portraits, decorations for the photo booth, a specialized Grad 2020 t-shirt, and a handmade rosary.