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Graduation program held in honour of 34 KCI students

The graduation of 34 Grade 12 students of the Kamsack Comprehensive Institute was held on June 29.

            The graduation of 34 Grade 12 students of the Kamsack Comprehensive Institute was held on June 29.

The day began with an afternoon program in the school’s gymnasium where the graduates were introduced and were presented with their diplomas, scholarships were presented, tributes were paid and replies made and the valedictorian and guest speaker offered their encouragements.

Honoured as the 2017 KCI graduates were: Taryn Broda, Zachary Cote, Adrian Pearson, Zachary Petruk, Logan Foster, Seth Morenos, Jaraden Bryksa, Michael Chan, Tara Stefiuk, Madelyn Wosminity, Brayden Fatteicher, Colin Tulloch, Regan Nichol, Alanna Finnie, Kaitlyn Friday, Nathan Bielecki, Austin Hilderman, Casey Dix, Paige Sterzer, Jalayna Bielecki, Allyssa Galang, Serena Wyllychuk, Allison Placatka, Mikayla Woloshyn, Laurissa Fedorchuk, Allison Thomsen, Alexis Koroluk, Breanna Bland, Taylor Kazakoff, Zachary McGriskin, Curyine Stonechild, Chastin Straightnose, Chase Whitehawk and Kyle Wright.

The emcees for the program were Shani Bear and Chloe Irvine who said that they were “honoring a group of young men and young ladies who are celebrating the completion of one chapter of their lives, and turning the page to begin writing the next.”

“Today is a day of celebration, a day where we all can look back on the years that have led up to this moment and remember all the triumphs and tribulations that have brought us all to this gathering,” the emcees said.

            The graduates led in the singing of O Canada, and then Tracy Forsythe, the principal, and Ryan Gareau, vice-principal, presented the graduates with their diplomas. The presentation was followed by the Misko-Pinehs or Red Bird Singers of Cote First Nation who presented a tribute to the graduates with an honor song accompanied by a traditional drum.

            Forsythe welcomed everyone, thanked the graduation committee and told the graduates to be thankful for where they are, adding that this time next year nothing will be the same.

            “Stop, look around and be thankful of where you are,” she repeated. “Congratulations. We will miss you.”

            Scholarships totalling more than $11,000 were awarded to several students.

            Cory Johnson read a letter from Lieut.-Gov. Vaughn Solomon Schofield who reminded the graduates that they are graduating during the same year that the country is celebrating its 150th anniversary. She asked them to celebrate Canadian achievements and reflect on how Canada can make a better world. She urged them to commit to service and said that one makes a life by what one gives.

Gareau read a letter from Don Morgan, minister of education, who said that education is the foundation to success and said that his department’s goal is to develop competent and confident students.

Allison Placatka paid tribute to the Good Spirit School Division, saying the division had provided the students with opportunities and “given us excellent education” with the facilities needed, and in reply, Jaimie Maczek Johnson, a member of the board, encouraged the graduates to set goals and reminded them that it “takes courage to grow up.”

Paying tribute to First Nations, Zachary Cote congratulated his fellow graduates for achieving “this great milestone.” He said he realized that graduation was only the beginning of legacies and success stories.

High school said “a walk in the park” compared to “the real world”

“Many of us will go on to become teachers, plumbers, parents and maybe even Chief and Council members,” Cote said. “But before any of this we must leave the reserve, explore the world and set an example for the younger generations of indigenous people by creating a goal and not stopping until we get there; so we can see more than just eight First Nation students receiving a high school diploma.

“Although I’m just your average 18 year old, I can still notice the negative impact that our people's past has on our First Nation communities today,” he said, mentioning low employment and graduation rates, drug addictions and suicide.

“Honestly, high school was a walk in the park compared to the real world and every single day an individual goes through hard times no matter what the case may be. But life always gets better in the end and Kelly Clarkson once told me ‘What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.’

“I… had a great friend take his own life only some odd weeks ago because he figured there was no light at the end of the tunnel. No matter who you are whether you’re white, black, brown, pink or purple we must communicate and work together to create a better future for our society rather than discriminating against others for the life they live or where they come from.”

Cote thanked the chief and council for “continuously fighting for our rights and seeking help for our communities to become better places.” He acknowledged the elders for passing down wisdom to younger generations and praying for a better tomorrow and thanked the teachers and staff for following the voices of Indigenous youth and continuously finding ways to increase the graduation rates for First Nation students and “Marty Leis for insuring that we students have clean classrooms and healthy environment to learn in.”

Chief George Cote of Cote First Nation replied by calling for respect of one another. He said Canada is changing and it has many challenges. He talked of how resilient people move forward and proclaimed that First Nation people “are here, have always been here and will work for a better future.”

Alanna Finnie paid tribute to the teachers, calling them “some of the most important people in this building.”

“Getting through high school is a team effort, and our success and failures depended on you, and the support you were willing to give as part of the Spartan family,” Finnie told the teachers. “We as students have grown to love each and every one of you, even though we didn't act like it most of the time. Your efforts have been appreciated, and we never took the opportunity to tell you how grateful we are for you, and if we have, it was nowhere near enough times as it should have been.

“You’ve helped us reach success, whether it’s in our academics or extra-curricular (events), getting us to golf provincials, track-and-field provincials, drama provincials, running our clubs. It’s been a great year, and it wouldn’t have been possible without those of you who doubled as our coaches, directors and advisors.

“You’ve helped us learn from others and ourselves, and especially our mistakes, to help us grow and blossom into the individuals we are today. Most importantly, you’ve helped us prepare ourselves for the next journey ahead, which will be the biggest step of our lives.

“Thank you so much for everything, from the bottom of our hearts. We will miss you all, as we leave some of you behind, and others leave with us.”

            Wendy Shabatoski replied to the tribute by talking about the teachers the students had in elementary school and in the middle years which helped build a strong foundation for learning.

            Calling the graduates “an amazing group of students” Shabatoski said she hoped each one would continue questioning the way things are and reminded them that knowledge is power.

            “Travel the world, take classes, find your passion,” she said. “Meet challenges and make the world a better place.

            Allison Thomsen paid tribute to the parents, mentioning love and support and warm shoulders. She said the parents have shown pride in their children’s accomplishments thereby filling them with confidence and being prepared to catch them when they failed.

            Parents are a safety net and “we would be lost without you,” she said. “Thank you for your unconditional love and support” and for “getting us here.”

            Allison’s father Bruce Thomsen replied calling the graduates to spread their wings and take their solo flights.

Breanna Bland and Nathan Bielecki talked about each of the graduates and assumed what each would be leaving behind as his or her legacy.

In his valedictory address, Brayden Fatteicher thanked everyone for their support “on this exciting and stress-filled day.

“These 12 years of school have gone by very fast and I've been told that the years to come will go by even quicker,” Fatteicher said. “I feel like we just got out of Kindergarten with Mrs. Aikman. We’ve changed a lot since then and I want to congratulate all the grads on their achievement.

“Although we get on each other’s nerves, especially within the last month, I would like to emphasize that we made it through high school, and McLean’s classes, together.

“Throughout high school we’ve all had our challenges which shaped us into who we are today. We’ve all impacted each other whether it was little Grade 6 relationships, a conversation in the hallway or friendships that started when we were little kids.

“I am so grateful to be graduating with such amazing individuals.

“As we leave the comfort and routine of high school we enter our exciting and daunting future. I’m going to miss high school, especially Mrs. Schwartz yelling at us to be good people and Mr. P telling us about his dreams of owning a boat.

“Whatever happens after today is our choice. We are now in charge of our lives. Remember where you came from, where you’re going and the people around you. Congratulations Class of 2017. Holy moly guys, we made it! Thank you.”

Mikayla Woloshyn introduced Ryan Gareau, the guest speaker, who had been raised in Prince Albert, was a national bowling competitor and a university commerce graduate before deciding to become a school teacher.

Gareau was married in 2006, and the couple has two children, Jackson and Xander and expect a third in December.

“Mr. Gareau enjoys teaching math and science,” Woloshyn said. “Mr. Gareau enjoys teaching for two reasons: one is his love for interacting with people (and talking), and second is that with teaching there is something new every day.

“Our highlights with Mr. Gareau include Europe adventures with students, story time before class, desk perching during tests, his many “Kahoot” questions and bad dad jokes.

“Throughout our time in the classroom with him, we have built a strong relationship with him on educational and personal levels.

“On behalf of the class, I would like to thank you, Mr. Gareau, for dealing with us for the past eight years,” she said.

Gareau complimented the graduates on their “amazing accomplishments,” and said he has never regretted his decision to switch from commerce to education.

“Don’t be afraid to make mistakes,” he said, before naming each of the graduates and relayed a personal incident with each.

“Do you and be you and everything will look after itself,” he said, commending the graduates as being part of the Spartan family. He encouraged everyone to take a little time to walk the halls of the school for one more time and reminisce.

“Don’t rush moments like these,” he told the graduates, adding that graduation is a stepping stone for the rest of their lives.

At the conclusion of the program, the emcees reminded the graduates to return to the school for a formal photo. Graduates and invited guests attend a supper, and then a grand march and PowerPoint presentation were held beginning at 8 p.m.