ST. PAUL – Ten graduates from St. Paul Alternate Education Centre (SPAEC) and two graduates from the Elk Point Outreach School (EPOS) took to the stage at St. Paul Senior Citizens Centre on Friday, June 9 to celebrate their accomplishments amid the applause of their proud families.
Graduates formed a procession through the hall and were introduced as they received their portfolios before taking their places on stage.
This was the first graduation from SPAEC principal Breana Malcolmson as the school’s principal, who told the grads, “It is an honour to have you in our school,” and recalled her memories of some of the class in their younger years.
It is usually primary teachers who read aloud to their students, she said, “and I’m going to be the last teacher to read you a story book.” ‘Be Brave, Little One’ by Marianne Richmond, Malcolmson said, “has a profound message… Embrace the essence of bravery, face things head on. Each challenge you have faced has shaped you into who you are today. You have already proved your resilience. Carry the sword of resilience forward, and draw strength from the lessons you have learned. Bravery comes in many different forms. Dare to dream big and remember the importance of kindness and compassion.”
The principal concluded her message with a wish. “May you all be brave, kind and your world filled with infinite possibilities.
SPAEC Board representative Dwight Wiebe “could feel the positive energy” as he came forward to bring congratulations from EPOS Board representative Darcy Younghans and St. Paul Education Regional Division (SPERD). The Class of 2023 stood to applaud the families and friends who he said “deserve applause too,” adding his thanks “to everyone who helped the grads to accomplish this goal.
“You can do absolutely anything,” he told them. “You’ve had some interesting years on behalf of SPERD and I want to thank you for completing this first step.”
Mary Anderson came onstage to present each grad with an eagle feather and said she was “honoured to participate in a ceremony that demonstrates resilience,” and told the graduates that the eagle feather is a sacred and honoured gift, “a messenger to the Creator.”
Principal Malcolmson presented a sash on behalf of the Métis Nation of Alberta to grad Brianna Anderson.
More awards followed, EPOS students Brittany Gosselin accepting the Resilience award and Brett Halfe the Perseverance award, SPAEC’s Most Improved award, Citizenship award and Norma Robinson Sunflower award all going to Cearra Tychkowsky, the Knowledge and Employability award going to Santanika Cardinal, the Resilience award to Damon Buffalo and the second ever Living Your Truth award to Tanesha Hunter. Gifts were then presented to each of the grads, before the left the stage to enjoy the meal and time to celebrate with their families.
