GLENDON – Before the graduation ceremony started on June 21, the 2025 graduates from Glendon School stood outside their school in all their finery, as a procession of cars formed a ‘grad parade’ and drove past the school to celebrate the graduates.
Belvia Wrobel was part of the procession, honking, waving, and showing her love to the graduates, who she taught when they were in Grade 2.
Wrobel explained that the grad parade tradition started out of necessity when social distancing had the community coming up with creative ways for loved ones and community members to see and celebrate graduates during the COVID-19 pandemic. The grad parade was so enjoyable that they decided to carry on with the tradition.
“They were a wonderful class. Now, I wish them great journeys ahead. Always remember your roots, branch out, and be that giving tree,” said Belvia.
Jennifer Wrobel emceed the graduation ceremony, also having had the pleasure of teaching many of the graduates when they were in kindergarten and said how “truly excited” she was to get to celebrate with them.
“It was you who taught me many things. You taught me to show up every day. I don't think I took a sick day all year because I couldn't not show up for you. You taught me to be more creative, a bit more flexible, because sometimes I just had to go with the flow, but mostly you taught me to find the good in every day,” said Jennifer.
Jennifer gave a land acknowledgement and highlighted the aligned timing of National Indigenous day before welcoming Indigenous guest speaker Savannah Heathcote to the stage to speak about the importance of education in the journey to truth and reconciliation.
“I'm standing here not only as a guest speaker, but as someone who was exactly where you guys are now. I graduated from this very school in 2016 . . . Time moves quickly, but some things, like the feeling of community in this building, stay the same,” said Heathcote.
She spoke about her journey pursuing a degree in education from the University of Alberta.
“The journey wasn't always easy, but it was incredibly rewarding, and it was rooted in the same foundation as you all have been given here, a solid education, supportive teachers, and a community that wants to see you thrive,” said Heathcote.
Heathcote said her story did not start with her, and that she was able to stand there because of those who came before her – her family and ancestors, many of whom survived residential schools.
“For them, education wasn’t about opportunity. It was something taken from them. It was about loss, disconnection and pain, and yet they endured. They held on so that future generations, so that I could live a different story.”
Gary Kissel addressed the crowd and graduating class, not only as a former Glendon graduate, teacher, principal, and now a board trustee for Nothern Lights Public Schools (NLPS), but as a proud grandfather, who spent a touching moment acknowledging how proud he was of his granddaughter who was a graduate this year.
Kissel asked everyone in the crowd who was a Glendon School graduate rise from their seats.
“That’s half the room, at least. And I dare say that most of us have done pretty well, receiving an education at our little school. My dream was that my grandchildren would also have the same opportunity as many of us have. Well, my dream has come true this year,” said Kissel.
Glendon Mayor Nicholas Werstiuk spoke about the merits of hard work, the fickle nature of luck, chasing growth over perfection, and the hollowness of seeking fulfilment in money.
“[Real wealth] comes from relationships, your family, your friends, your community. These are the people who carry you through when life tries to knock you down. The ones who cheer you up, tell you the truth, and remind you who you are when you forget,” said Werstiuk.
Class President and Vice President Scott Tiller and Naya Janz spoke on behalf of the class of 2025, and Janz addressed the crowd of family, friends, teachers, and “fellow survivors of high school.”
“As we look out at all of you, we see many different paths ahead of us: some heading to college, others taking a gap year, and some just jumping straight into the workforce, and some still figuring it out, because, let's be honest, we're all trying to figure it out. And that's OK,” said Tiller.
Janz and Tiller spoke about the unwavering support they received from parents and teachers, even when they acted like “sleep deprived zombies at 9 a.m. classes,” and complained about homework.
“Today is a moment of celebration, but it's also a moment of reflection. We've all contributed to each other's stories, and for that, we're also grateful. So, to everyone who's been a part of this chapter of our lives, thank you for being with us every step of the way,” said Janz.
