New Myrnam School graduates encouraged to live life

MYRNAM – New Myrnam School celebrated this year's graduates on May 24, with the graduates receiving advice from several delegates.

Principal Danielle Eriksen had her own wisdom to share with the graduates, saying it is expected the graduates will take on the world after completing their secondary education.

"Though you are entering adulthood, don't be fooled by the put together lives shown on social media," she cautioned. "Most adults do not have life figured out."

Adults juggle many responsibilities, expectations, and insecurities, making them feel as if they have no control over their lives, she added. But if there is any advice she could provide, it would be to "go find yourself."

"Who are you? What are your core values? What gets you up in the morning and keeps your energy sustained through the day?" she said. And no matter what challenges the graduates may find themselves in the future, Eriksen encouraged them to live.

"Live [in real life]. Play. Laugh. Worry less about what you are doing and think more about why you are doing it," she said, before congratulating the graduates.

Lukas Myshaniuk, the 2025 valedictorian, thanked the graduates' parents and all of Myrnam's community. He said the community always supported the students, from events to fundraisers, sports, and educational initiatives.

He also thanked the teachers, who not only make learning educational, but also fun.

"We've learned to be resourceful . . . [to] dream big," and wherever the graduates will find themselves in the future, "We'll never forget where we came from."

"No matter where we go, we'll carry this community with us," from the lessons, values, and all the experiences the graduates learned, he said.

To the graduates, Myshaniuk said, "Let's go forward with courage."

The world will be bigger, he acknowledged, "But we're strong enough to beat it."